Rear-end accidents are not only one of the most common kinds of accidents on our roadways but also one of the most dangerous. If another driver’s negligence leaves you injured in a rear-end accident, an experienced Plantation car accident lawyer is standing by to help.
Common Injuries in Rear-End Accidents
With rear-end accidents, some of the most closely associated injuries include:
- Soft tissue injuries, such as whiplash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones, especially in the area of the lower leg
- Internal injuries
Taking Rear-End Accidents Seriously
People tend to diminish the danger associated with rear-end accidents. As a result, too many victims of these accidents put off seeking medical care, which can hinder their ability to reach a complete recovery. The adrenaline and shock you experience as a result of being hit from the rear by another vehicle can mask a considerable amount of pain and other obvious signs of injury, which may convince you that you don’t require a doctor’s attention.
The fact is, however, that early diagnosis is so closely associated with improved recoveries that being checked by a medical professional after an accident of any magnitude, including a rear-end accident, is always in your best interest. While erring on the side of caution won’t hurt you, failing to obtain the medical care that you need very well could.
Rear-End Accidents and Distracted Driving
While nearly any form of driver negligence can cause a rear-end accident, distracted driving is a very common culprit. Distracted drivers allow their attention to settle somewhere other than on the road ahead, which leaves them very prone to slamming into the rear of forward vehicles.
Regarding dangerous distractions – of which there are many – texting stands alone for its ability to meld all three categories of distraction into one hazardous activity. These categories of distraction include:
- Distractions that engage one’s sight
- Distractions that engage one’s thoughts
- Distractions that engage one’s hands
Rear-End Accidents: The Numbers
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) shares the following rear-end accident statistics:
- In the span of three years, almost half of all the traffic accidents involving two vehicles were rear-end accidents.
- An average of 1,700 people die every year as a result of rear-end accidents.
- In 2020 alone, about 3,000 people lost their lives due to rear-end accidents, which accounted for 17.1 percent of fatal crashes that year – according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
Your Losses
The losses that are commonly associated with rear-end accidents can be so extensive they are difficult to adequately calculate, including those in all the following categories:
- The property damage to your car and its contents
- Your medical bills, which may continue to mount
- Your lost wages, which may reverberate into your earning potential
- Your physical and emotional pain and suffering
Protecting Yourself and a Rear-End Accident Claim
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, your claim will be unique to you and the circumstances that are involved, but there are certain steps that are nearly universally beneficial for accident victims in your situation.
Follow your doctor’s instructions
In addition to seeking immediate medical attention, it’s important to carefully adhere to your medical team’s advice and instructions. This can not only improve your health outcome but also help to make it very clear to the insurance company handling your claim that your accident-related injuries are just as serious as you specify.
Consult with a car accident attorney in Plantation, Florida
Car accident claims involving rear-end accidents tend to be challenging. Because your health and well-being can hinge upon your ability to fully recover on your losses, working closely with a well-respected car accident attorney at a well-established car accident firm is key.
Decline to provide the insurance company with a statement
The insurance company handling your claim is in the business of generating sizable profits, and it will do whatever it takes to make this happen. One commonly employed technique is coaxing statements out of claimants that end up undermining their claims. Leave the insurance company to your attorney while you focus on your recovery.
Take a break from social media
Social media tends to pull us in, but after being injured by another driver’s negligence in a rear-end accident is an excellent time to avoid posting until the matter has been finalized. Just as the insurance company is adept at obtaining verbal statements from unsuspecting claimants, it’s also very skilled at twisting social media posts into meanings that harm your claim.
Don’t accept a settlement offer without involving your lawyer
Another tactic insurance companies like to throw into the mix is making early, lowball settlement offers that desperate claimants are sometimes willing to accept. Your attorney will help you make the right choices in pursuit of rightful compensation that covers your losses.
Rear-Ended by Another Driver? Get a Plantation Car Accident Attorney
At Scarfone Auto Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys, our founder Rocco Scarfone is an experienced Plantation, Florida car accident lawyer who can accept your rear-end accident claim today. Our team has the experience and resources to make it more likely we recover your complete losses in pursuit of your fullest recovery.
Learn more by picking up the phone and calling Scarfone at 561-609-1200. Or, get started by contacting us online today.