Liability in a Rearend Collision
Rearend auto accidents are the single most common type of car accident. Rear impact collisions occur on an average of 2.5 million times a year. Over the last few decades, the front and rear bumpers of automobiles, which were formerly designed and engineered to withstand a minor rearend collision, are now only required to handle an impact of 5 m.p.h. As a result, even minor rearend collisions can result in serious, long lasting injuries for victims in a car that was struck from the rear by another vehicle.
Determining who is liable for a rearend collision is dependent on a wide range of factors specific to the accident. As a general rule, the law presumes that the person who rearended a vehicle in front of them is at fault for causing the accident. This is primarily based on the fact that the driver either followed too closely or failed to be sufficiently alert to avoid the accident. In recent years, however, there have been several cases where the driver in front was found liable for a rearend accident. As an example, a motorist may be able dispute this presumption if the car in front makes a sudden lane change without signaling and is struck in the rear.
Experienced Rearend Car Accident Attorney
For more than three decades, Florida car accident attorney James O. Cunningham has been helping people injured in rearend car accidents. In that time, he has represented a variety of clients who have suffered injuries from rearend collisions caused by:
- A drunk driver
- An inattentive driver distracted by a cell phone or another electronic device
- A driver running a red light
Frequently, the victims of rearend collisions suffer a variety of life-changing injuries that result in expensive hospital stays, rehabilitation regimens, medication and loss of income. Even rearend car accident victims who don’t appear to suffer injuries greater than a few bruises and refuse medical treatment at the accident scene can suffer serious injuries that take weeks or months to appear.
Seek Medical Help Even If You Feel Fine
If you or someone you care for has been involved in a rear impact car accident, even if you appear to have only very minor injuries, it is in your best interests to undergo a full medical screening. Our law firm can recommend physicians and medical experts that you contact to schedule a consultation and a complete physical checkup to discover the extent of your injuries. Common injuries resulting from rearend car accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Whiplash
- Herniated disc
- Concussions
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back problems
Helping Rear Impact Accident Victims Since 1977
Our Florida personal injury law firm will work closely with medical experts to determine how long it will take for you to recover from rearend collision injuries and the level of compensation required to offset the costs of medical treatment and physical therapy now and for the future. If you have been injured in a rear impact car accident, call the law office of Florida personal injury lawyer James O, Cunningham today at 1-888-FLA-Auto (1-888-352-2886) to schedule a free consultation. He has been helping clients for over thirty years and works on a contingency-fee basis so you’ll have no out-of-pocket expenses.
