Sacramento Rear End Collision Lawyer

Let’s face it: the odds are against us. At some point, anyone who is behind the wheel of a vehicle is going to be involved in a rear-end collision. While following the rules of the road will lessen your chances of being involved in an auto accident, that accounts for only you and your careful driving, not the person behind you who is distracted by their cell phone or eating their breakfast on the way to work.

You should not be held accountable for the negligence of others, especially on the road. Even a mild rear-end collision can be costly, leading to not only damages to your vehicle but injury to you and your passengers. Expensive medical expenses and lost wages can lead to an unfair economic impact and cost you dozens of hours of your time just to have things made right.

Who is At Fault For a Rear-End Collision?

Generally speaking, and we have all heard this one before, in the case of a rear-end collision, the rear driver is presumed to be the negligent party. It does not matter the excuse by the rear driver, whether the reason they rear-ended you was because of driving at high speeds, they were distracted by texting, or they failed to keep a safe distance from you, if there is a rear-end accident, then the rear driver is often the person at fault.

Of course, there are certain instances where this is not true. This can include, but is not limited to:

Unsafe lane changes: this can be as minimal as failing to use your turn signal when you change lanes or using the signal too late into the turn. However, it can also involve more complex instances, like passing, when passing is prohibited.
Brake Checking: Believe it or not, brake checking, the act of tapping or slamming on your brakes in response to someone tailgating you and coming to a sudden stop, is illegal.
Defective taillights: It is every driver’s responsibility to ensure their vehicle is in proper operating order, and this includes taillights. Broken or otherwise malfunctioning taillights can lead to the front driver being at fault for a rear-end collision.

Put simply, as long as you are the front driver, follow all posted road signs, follow the laws of the road while driving, and are rear-ended, then you are likely not at fault.

What Should You Do If You Are Involved in a Rear-End Collision?

It can be hard to keep a clear head during any kind of auto accident. Remember to remain calm. The most important thing is to make sure you are safe!

Here are some easy steps to remember if you are involved in a rear-end accident:

Check yourself for injuries, then check your passengers for injuries
Call the police. Ask for a unit to be dispatched to your location.
Exchange personal, vehicle, and insurance information with the other driver. Keep this information close, as law enforcement will also want to copy the information.
Get the names and phone numbers of the other drivers and passengers. If you believe someone witnessed the accident, ask for their information and a witness statement.
Take photos of your vehicle, any other vehicles involved in the accident, and the location of the accident. Take photos of nearby businesses as they may have security cameras that may have caught the accident.
Notify your insurance company and contact your attorney!

That’s right, this is the time to contact the office of The Weinberger Law Firm at 916-520-0476. You may be inclined to wait to contact your lawyer. You may feel like it wasn’t that serious of an accident or that your insurance will have you covered, but don’t wait for the pain in your neck to get worse, progressing to obvious signs of whiplash, or for your vehicle’s radiator to start showing issues before you decide it might be time consult with a lawyer.

If you are asking yourself if you need a lawyer down the road, the time to get one is now.

What Are Your Next Steps?

It is important to get a medical examination if you have been involved in a rear-end collision, even if you are not in pain. A medical examination can help ensure you are in healthy physical condition as well as ensure you are not suffering from an unknown injury that could manifest later down the road.

A medical examination is invaluable when it comes to seeking property damages, personal injury damages, or punitive damages.

Types Of Injuries Possible In A Rear-End Accident

Any car accident or truck accident can cause damage to your vehicle or injury to your person. Even a minor fender bender can lead to thousands in property damage and potential minor injuries.

A rear-end collision can cause serious injury to people in the vehicle. That’s often because these accidents occur quickly and can cause a sudden change in the motion of your vehicle. For example, if you are stopped at an intersection or traffic light and are hit from behind by a car that fails to slow down, the sudden lurch forward can cause your body to whip back and forth. This can lead to head, neck, shoulder, and back injuries.

Understanding the types of injuries and damages that might be common in a rear-end collision can help you better prepare for potential recovery following such an incident.

What Type Of Vehicle Damage Is Common With A Rear-End Collision?

Most people realize that the rear bumper will take some damage in this type of accident. Depending on the type of vehicle you’re driving and what type of vehicle hits you — and at what force — there can be more substantial damage.

What many people don’t realize is that a rear-end collision — even a seemingly minor one — could cause hidden damage to the vehicle. It may be a good idea to get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic or an auto body shop following a collision just to be safe.

What Types Of Physical Injuries Are Common?

The same is true with your own person. You might feel okay in the immediate aftermath of a collision, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t hidden injuries or issues that need to be addressed.

Whiplash Or Other Neck Injuries

Whiplash occurs when your head suddenly moves forward, as it might when a sudden force slams into and moves your car (and you inside of it). Some symptoms of whiplash include soreness and pain in and around the neck. This injury might prevent you from full neck mobility, and some individuals experience issues for up to a year following a whiplash injury.

You can also experience other neck injuries, which can occur for the same reasons whiplash does.

Back Injuries

The sudden movement of your body in a rear-end collision can also cause potential back injuries. That includes strains, sprains, spinal fractures, spinal stenosis, and slipped or herniated discs. The symptoms of these issues vary, but some signs that you might be dealing with a back injury following a rear-end collision include:

Back pain that is sharp or achy or pain that gets worse with certain positions or movements
Numbness or tingling in your extremities or in the back
Feelings of muscle weakness in the back or other areas
Arm or leg pain that isn’t attributable to another cause

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Serious brain injuries can occur if your head hits any surface in the vehicle during an accident. However, even if your head doesn’t come into contact with another surface, a rear-end collision might cause a traumatic brain injury.

As your body whips about in response to the force of the crash, your head may also move violently back and forth. This can cause your brain to move a bit inside your skull, which can cause a traumatic brain injury.

Symptoms of a traumatic brain injury can include:

Headaches that aren’t attributable to another condition and tend to be difficult to get rid of
Changes in vision in one or both eyes
Seizures
Speech that is slurred
Ongoing nausea or vomiting
Memory or concentration problems
Tinnitus
Dizziness or confusion

Face Injuries

If your face strikes some part of the interior of the vehicle or is hit by an airbag as a result of the crash, you may experience injuries to that area. Injuries can include lacerations, bruises, a broken nose, damage to the mouth or teeth, and injuries to the eyes.

Fractures

Fractures are a common injury experienced in any type of collision. When your body is forcibly moved, it can lead to damage to your bones. A rear-end collision could cause a fracture almost anywhere in the body, depending on the position of the person at the time and what items in the car their body comes in contact with during the collision.

Get Help With Your Personal Injury Claim

Medical professionals must diagnose all of the above conditions, which is why it’s important to seek care after a collision. Even if you think you feel fine, consider getting checked out and cleared by a doctor. Catching some of these injuries sooner rather than later can make a positive impact on treatment options and outcomes.

The same can be said for your legal rights in a car accident case. With so much going on, you might be tempted to rush into a settlement with an insurance company just to get things over with. But taking some time to meet with an attorney can help you understand your options and what a fair settlement might look like.

This is especially important if you are physically injured in a rear-end collision. You want to ensure your medical bills are covered and recover losses related to not being able to work. If you’ve been rear-ended and want to find out about your personal injury claim options, reach out to the Weinberger Law Firm at 916-520-0476 today.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer?

Even if your accident was mild, you should seek the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. Why? To protect yourself, your assets, and the ones you love. Not all injuries are immediately evident, and not all damage is surface level. Working with a compassionate lawyer can help you cover all your bases. The Weinberger Law Firm can help ensure you are protected, help you navigate medical treatment, and make sure you recover and are made whole at the end of such a terrible ordeal.

Call 916-520-0476 to schedule a no-obligation consultation.