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Rear-end accidents range from minor fender benders to collisions that cause serious injuries. Usually, a driver is focused on the road ahead when he or she is suddenly jolted from behind by the force of the impact. Victims often experience physical trauma as a result of a rear-end collision and may suffer a whiplash injury or worse.
The Richmond rear-end accident lawyers at Marks & Harrison understand how disruptive these crashes can be. We want to help you recover full compensation if you’ve been injured due to another driver’s negligence. We’ll work diligently to help you pursue compensation for the pain and aggravation you’ve suffered, as well as the cost of your medical bills and other losses.
Our Richmond law firm is one of the largest in Virginia, with 26 attorneys and more than 100 support personnel. We’re a third-generation law firm, and our extensive experience handling personal injury claims has helped our clients recover millions of dollars for their injuries.
You should have an experienced Richmond car accident lawyer evaluate your rear-end accident and review the steps you may take to recover compensation. Getting an attorney involved soon after an accident improves the chances of finding and preserving evidence to support your claim. Call our Richmond office today or fill out our contact form to get a free initial consultation.
What Are The Main Causes of Richmond Rear-End Accidents?
While there are many different ways a rear-end car accident can occur, here are a few of the more common causes we’ve seen:
- Distracted driving – As cars have become more technologically sophisticated and cell phones have become commonplace, drivers have more distractions. Adjusting the music, talking on the phone, looking at a phone screen, eating or drinking, or looking at a navigation device can take a driver’s eyes and concentration off the road. Even if the driver only looks away for a few seconds, that is enough time for a rear-end accident to occur.
- Driving while fatigued – When drivers are fatigued, it’s more difficult for them to recognize and react to potential traffic hazards.
- Speeding – The faster a car is moving, the less time and space a driver has to react to a dangerous situation, making it harder to avoid a crash. Speeding has the added effect of making car accident injuries worse because of the greater force of impact.
- Reckless driving – Drivers have a legal responsibility to drive safely to avoid endangering others.. Tailgating, driving too fast for traffic conditions, weaving between lanes and other aggressive driving behaviors increase a driver’s chances of causing a rear-end accident.
- Drug or alcohol abuse – Alcohol and drugs impair drivers’ ability to think clearly, slow their reflexes, and may cause them to drive more aggressively. In some instances, drug or alcohol impairment may cause a driver to fall asleep behind the wheel and cause a rear-end crash.
- Bad weather – Drivers need to be wary of rain, snow, ice, or sleet on the road. Slick roads increase the distance that drivers need to slow down and stop safely. When drivers don’t take adequate precautions and reduce speed in bad weather, they are more likely to cause a rear-end collision.
- Road Work Zones – Traffic may be redirected around areas where road work is occurring. Lane mergers, lane shifts and new traffic patterns can cause drivers to stop unexpectedly and increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision. To avoid a rear-end collision in highway work zones, drivers should increase their following distance and be alert for vehicles stopping ahead.
- Mechanical defects – It’s difficult to slow or stop if your brakes fail or some other mechanical defect occurs. A brake manufacturer may be liable for a rear-end accident caused by a brake failure. You will need a knowledgeable lawyer to investigate the accident and develop a claim against the manufacturer of the defective brakes.
What Are Common Injuries Caused by Rear-End Accidents?
Rear-end accidents can cause severe injuries and a great deal of pain and suffering for both drivers and passengers. The most common rear-end accident injuries include:
- Whiplash injuries, which can cause severe pain in your neck, shoulders, and upper back, and limit your ability to move your head
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
How Is Liability Determined in a Richmond Rear-End Accident?
Many people assume the driver who hit them from behind is always liable in a rear-end accident, but that is not always the case. Liability in a rear-end accident is determined by which driver or drivers were acting negligently in the moments leading up to the crash.
For example, if the driver in front was stopped at a red light and hit from behind by a distracted driver, the second driver would likely be held liable for the accident. On the other hand, if the driver in front suddenly slammed on their brakes, that driver may be held liable for the crash.
One complicating factor when it comes to recovering compensation after a rear-end accident is Virginia’s negligence laws. Virginia is one of a few states that uses the doctrine of pure contributory negligence for personal injury claims. This means that if a driver is found to have contributed in any way to their injuries, the driver may be barred from recovering compensation.
Insurance companies often try to shift the blame to avoid paying a claim after a car accident in Virginia. It’s important to have an experienced lawyer who can push back against an insurance company’s attempts to shift the blame.
An experienced Richmond car accident attorney at Marks & Harrison can seek evidence to show the other driver was responsible for the rear-end collision and help you get proper compensation for your injuries.
When Do You Need a Rear-End Accident Lawyer?
Because Virginia law makes it a challenge for drivers to recover compensation after an accident, it’s important to talk to a lawyer as soon as possible. If you don’t act quickly, valuable evidence could be lost, and you could lose out on any chance of recovering compensation. An experienced rear-end accident lawyer can gather the evidence needed to build a persuasive case.
Our team at Marks & Harrison is ready to speak to you about your case at your earliest convenience. We won’t charge you unless we win compensation for you, so you have nothing to lose. Get a free case review by filling out our contact form or calling our office in Richmond.
