Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of car accidents. Though common, rear-end accidents can cause serious, long-term injuries, including whiplash. Don’t assume you won’t be able to recover significant compensation if you’ve been in a rear-end accident. Discussing your case with an attorney can help you understand your legal options.
Contact a Rear-End Accident Attorney in Houston
If you or your loved one have been injured in a rear-end car accident in Houston, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. The skilled personal injury attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC have a proven track record of obtaining compensation for clients injured in many car accidents. Our attorneys seek the maximum compensation for injured clients. Contact Ceja Law Firm PLLC today to schedule a free initial consultation.
Common Causes of a Rear-End Accident
In a rear-end accident, the front of one vehicle strikes the rear end of another vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, approximately 30% of motor vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions. Every day, millions of accidents occur throughout the United States. Rear-end car accidents are typically caused by the vehicle behind the victim failing to keep a safe distance from the vehicle in front of him or her. Some of the most common scenarios that lead to these types of accidents include the following:
- A driver slows down or stops at a yellow light and is struck from the rear
- A driver slows down due to unsafe weather conditions and is struck from the rear
- Traffic in front of the driver has slowed, and a distracted driver strikes the driver in front
- An intoxicated driver strikes the driver in front
- An accident on the freeway results in vehicles stopping suddenly, leading to collisions
- Unsafe lane changes
- Driving at excessive speeds for the conditions
- Accidents in parking accidents
Distracted Driving is a Leading Cause of Car Accidents
Many car accidents are caused by distracted or intoxicated driving. When a driver isn’t paying attention to traffic and is focused on something else, he or she is more likely to slam into the back of the vehicle in front. In the time it takes to send a text message, a driver may fail to see that the driver in front has slowed down in time to stop. All the following can take a driver’s attention away from the road and lead to a preventable car accident:
- Distracted driving
- Talking on a cell phone
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Talking to passengers
- Eating or drinking while driving
- Rubbernecking at another car accident while driving by it
- Staring out the window
- Looking at something on the roadside
Tailgating Accidents
Tailgating accidents happen when the driver in the rear follows another driver too closely. Sometimes, the driver is angry because they think the driver in front is driving too slowly. In other cases, the driver fails to leave a safe distance between the vehicles. When the driver in front stops or slows down, the driver in the rear air collides with the vehicle because he or she is following too closely and has not allocated enough time and distance to avoid the accident.
Slow Speed Accidents
Many rear-end accidents occur at slow speeds, these types of accidents are sometimes called fender benders because they cause minimal damage to the vehicles. Even though slow-speed accidents are considered mild, drivers and passengers can still become seriously injured. Accidents at low speeds can still cause painful whiplash injuries, concussions, and facial injuries when the airbags inflate.
Pile-Up Accidents
A single rear-end collision can cause a dangerous, multi-vehicle pileup on the freeway. When a single rear-end collision occurs, other drivers may not be able to stop in time. Some pile-up accidents can lead to ten or more vehicles becoming damaged. These accidents frequently occur on high-traffic highways, making the potential for injuries more serious. Pile-up accidents can cause gas explosions that result in fires and make it difficult for emergency medical personnel to remove victims from their vehicles safely.
Injuries Caused By Rear-End Accidents
Even though many rear-end accidents are considered fender-benders, they can cause serious injuries that leave victims with a lifetime of pain and medical expenses. The force of a rear-end accident can cause a person’s neck to snap forward and backward at an unnatural angle, damaging the tissue, nerves, and muscles of the neck and back. Neck and back injuries aren’t always easy to treat and could require surgery and rehabilitation.
Victims can also become injured when their heads collide with the airbag. Victims of rear-end accidents on the freeway are at a higher risk of injury because of the high speeds and intense force of the collision. Some of the most common types of injuries associated with rear-end collisions include the following:
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Neck and spinal injuries
- Paralysis
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Fractured or crushed ribs
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Contusions
- Punctured lungs
How Much Is My Case Worth?
Your case’s value depends on multiple factors, including the severity of your injuries and the degree of fault. For example, suppose you were required to take significant time off of work and undergo extensive rehabilitation. In that case, your claim will be worth more money than if you had a bone fracture that healed relatively quickly. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you understand the potential value of your claim.
Discuss Your Case With an Experienced Car Accident Attorney
If you or your loved one have been seriously injured in a rear-end accident caused by another motorist, we recommend reaching out to an attorney as soon as possible. The attorneys at Ceja Law Firm PLLC will carefully listen to the facts of your case and answer your questions. If you have a valid accident claim, we will begin handling your case, negotiating with the insurance company, and pursuing the compensation you deserve. Contact Ceja Law Firm PLLC today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about your legal options.
Ceja Law Firm PLLC helps clients with rear-end accident cases throughout Harris County and the Greater Houston Area including Pasadena, Baytown, Sugar Land, Bellaire, Galveston, Texas City, Jacinto City, and more.
