Rear-end accidents frequently occur at intersections, on freeways, and in parking lots across Texas. As more and more drivers engage in multitasking while driving, rear-end accidents are on the rise. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), 28% of all accidents are rear-end collisions. Sadly, most of these car accidents could have been prevented if drivers practiced good driving techniques and stayed focused on the road.
When you’re in a rear-end collision, it’s important to have the right Dallas car accident attorney to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. The injury attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. have extensive experience working on all kinds of car accident cases and can ensure that you get fair compensation to cover your injuries and medical expenses. Learn more about rear-end collisions and how our personal injury lawyers can help.
What to Do After a Rear-End Collision in Dallas
Rear-end collisions can range from minor fender benders to serious multi-car collisions. Regardless of the severity of the collision, you will need to take the following steps to prevent further injury and to protect your rights to compensation.
- Move your vehicle, if possible. Many people think they should leave their cars in the exact position of the accident. This is not the case. Moving your vehicle off the road is more important to keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe. If you cannot move your car due to the damage it received or because of the severity of your injuries, then don’t worry about it. In either scenario, turn on your hazard lights to warn other drivers of the accident.
- Check on the other driver and passengers. Make sure that no one else is seriously injured. If anyone is seriously injured, including yourself, call an ambulance immediately.
- Call the police. Inform the police of the accident, no matter how minor it may seem.
- Gather information about the accident. As you wait for the police to arrive, gather as much information as you can about the collision. This will help you fill out the police report. Gather the following information:
- The names of the drivers and passengers involved in the collision.
- The contact and insurance information of the other driver/drivers involved.
- License plate numbers.
- Makes and models of the vehicles.
- Witness statements and contact information.
- Location and time of the accident.
- Take pictures of the accident site. These photos can help document vehicle damage and any injuries you sustained.
- Visit a medical professional. Even if you feel fine after an accident, it is still important to get checked out by a healthcare professional. Some injuries may be masked by the adrenaline coursing through your body.
Contact a Dallas car accident attorney. Do not contact the insurance company before you speak with a car accident lawyer. Insurance companies are notorious for twisting words around and giving individuals as little money as possible for their accidents. The rear-end collision attorneys at Hernandez Law Group, P.C. will help you get the full amount you deserve.
Common Injuries From Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end accidents often cause head and neck injuries. Jarring forces cause a whip-like motion and can lead to serious and life-changing injuries—even at low speeds. The most common rear-end accident injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Soft tissue injuries to the back, neck, and shoulders
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
While deaths are not as common in rear-end accidents, they sadly do still occur. More common, however, are injuries that lead to disabilities and lifelong complications. Whiplash alone can lead to pain, suffering, decreased quality of life, and an inability to continue with your chosen profession. When this happens, you may need compensation to cover ongoing medical expenses, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Determining Fault in a Rear-End Collision in Texas
Fault belongs to the party whose negligent conduct caused the accident and injured or damaged another party. In a rear-end collision, this is typically the driver in the back. Common causes of rear-end collisions are as follows:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Poor weather conditions
- Drunk driving
If You Rear-End Someone, Are You Always at Fault?
In some cases, the driver in front may be found at fault for the collision. To prove the driver in front was negligent, gather as much evidence as possible—including dash cam footage and witness statements. The most common conditions in which the driver in front may be at fault are as follows:
- When another driver in front cuts the driver behind off.
- When another driver turns or makes a U-turn when the driver behind has the right-of-way.
- When the driver in front is driving recklessly.
- When the brake lights of the driver ahead are not working properly.
- When another driver is completely stopped on the roadway.
- When the driver ahead reverses unexpectedly.
Who Is At Fault in Multiple Rear-End Collisions?
When multiple cars are involved in a car accident, determining fault becomes more complicated. Texas is not a no-fault state, so multiple drivers can be held at fault. Texas is also a modified comparative negligence state, which means it assigns a percentage of fault to each driver involved in the accident. If someone sues for damages, the plaintiff must be found less than 50% at fault to receive compensation.
In most cases, the driver in front in a multiple-car collision will not be at fault; however, the same guidelines above may assign them at least some blame. On the other hand, the rearmost driver in a multi-car collision will likely be assigned most of the blame for the wreck.
Compensation You Can Recover After a Rear-End Collision
The injured party can potentially recover compensation for the following damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Property damages
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium, in cases of wrongful death
Why You Should Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Dallas
The days following a car accident are stressful as you try to put together the broken pieces. Recovering from your injuries, getting your vehicle fixed/replaced, and dealing with the insurance companies can be overwhelming. An experienced car accident attorney can help you focus on your recovery while they handle the insurance companies and seek compensation from the liable party.
You will want to hire a rear-end collision attorney with experience and a proven track record. The Hernandez Law Group, P.C. has been Dallas, Texas, and the surrounding areas’ go-to injury lawyers after a car accident since we were founded in 1999. We have helped countless clients recover millions of dollars after their accident. Having one of our knowledgeable Dallas accident attorneys on your case means that you will have guidance in:
- Investigating your case with the help of experts, such as accident reconstructionists, when necessary.
- Guiding you through the accident claim process.
- Filing a lawsuit if the at-fault party refuses to settle fairly.
If you have been involved in a rear-end collision, contact the Dallas personal injury attorneys at the Hernandez Law Group, P.C. We offer free, no-obligation consultations to help you determine how much compensation you deserve after your accident. Led by Juan Hernandez, one of 2% of attorneys in Texas board-certified in Specialization of Personal Injury Law, your case is in the best hands. Don’t try to navigate the legal system alone. Instead, partner with our family of injury attorneys who will fight for yours.
Rear-End Collision FAQs:
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the following factors:
– The severity of your injuries.
– The extent of damages to personal property.
– The amount of lost income you may experience.
– The effectiveness of your legal representation.
– Whether you experienced emotional distress from your accident.
– Fault allocation.
No. In some circumstances, the driver in front may have been negligent. This is often true when the driver in front performs the following behaviors:
– Cuts the driver behind them off.
– Makes a turn or a U-turn when the driver behind has the right-of-way.
– Drives recklessly.
– Has broken brake lights.
– Has come to a complete standstill on the roadway.
– Reverses unexpectedly.
Whether you’re behind or in front of another vehicle, there are certain steps you can take to avoid a rear-end collision:
– Keep a safe following distance.
– Pay attention to other cars.
– Drive carefully in bad weather.
– Keep your eyes on the road.
– Pay attention to road conditions.
– Stay off the roads if you’re impaired.
– Move off the road if your car malfunctions.
– Maintain a safe speed.
Yes. You can still sue after a rear-end collision even if you were not physically harmed in the accident. You can seek compensation for property damage to your vehicle.
Certain states require drivers to carry “no-fault” insurance. This covers the injuries of a driver and their passengers after an auto accident. Texas does not require this type of coverage—known as Personal Injury Protection (PIP). However, you can add it to your personal liability coverage.
