Rear-end accidents often occur in cities like Atlanta that have dense traffic congestion. If the rear driver doesn’t pay attention to the traffic conditions in front of them, they’re bound to cause a collision. If you were injured in a rear-end collision, you need to contact an Atlanta rear-end accident lawyer.
The Atlanta car accident lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers have recovered millions for car accident victims. In fact, we recently won a $480,000 jury verdict for a client that injured his back in a low-speed rear-end collision. We’ll help you recover justice, as well.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta rear-end accident lawyer. If you’ve got questions, we’ve got the answers.
Common Rear-End Accidents
30 percent of traffic accidents are rear-end collisions. Many Atlanta rear-end collisions occur on highways like I-285 and I-85 in stop-and-go traffic conditions. Rear-end accidents also frequently occur in downtown Atlanta near State Farm Arena, Mercedes Benz Dome, Centennial Park and SkyView Atlanta where there is heavy pedestrian traffic.
Driver errors cause many rear-end accidents. Most of the auto accidents that our Atlanta rear-end accident lawyers handle involve the following careless driving behavior:
- Speeding – Drivers must obey the speed limit and maintain sufficient space between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. Typically, drivers should allow one full car length distance for every 10 miles an hour. Unfortunately, many vehicles travel much closer than that. That’s particularly dangerous on the highway when vehicles travel faster than the 70 mph speed limit.
- Distracted driving – Distracted driving is the number 1 cause of rear-end collisions. Why? Because many drivers have an artificial sense of security in low-speed traffic conditions. Therefore, they check their mobile devices or eat a meal while driving. That’s a bad idea.
- Road rage – Traffic congestion causes many drivers to lose their tempers. Angry drivers make impulsive decisions, such as rapid lane changes. When a driver swerves into an adjacent lane, they might not have enough room to avoid colliding with the vehicle in front of them. Some drivers also aggressively tailgate other vehicles. That’s also a recipe for disaster.
- Mechanical failure – If a driver doesn’t periodically replace their tires or brake pads, they’re much likelier to cause a rear-end collision.
- Intoxicated driving – Drunk drivers can’t properly judge travel speed and distance. Additionally, alcohol slows a driver’s reflexes. Therefore, drunk drivers cause many rear-end collisions.
- Exhausted drivers – Sleep-deprived drivers are hazardous. They, too, struggle to react to road conditions in front of them.
Rear-End Collision Injuries
Most rear-end collisions occur at low travel speeds. Despite what you might think, low-impact collisions often cause serious injuries. How? Because a low-impact collision still exerts 500 pounds of compression force on a vehicle occupant’s body. Accident victims are never exposed to powerful compression forces like that during their normal daily activities.
That powerful force can cause the following injuries:
- Brain injuries – Rear-end collisions often cause concussions if the occupant’s head strikes the windshield or side window. Most concussion symptoms resolve within a few weeks after the collision. Occasionally, they may cause permanent brain damage.
- Back injuries – Rear-end impact spinal compression causes damage up and down the back, such as inflammation, disc herniations, and fractured vertebrae.
- Joint damage – Rear-end collision victims naturally brace for impact when they see a rapidly approaching vehicle in their rear view mirror. Unfortunately, that bracing action sometimes makes them vulnerable to joint injuries.
- Neck and whiplash injuries – A rear-end impact instantaneously causes the thoracic spine to accelerate forward, while the head lags behind. That motion causes the neck to hyperextend, then flex, as the head rebounds off of the head restraint. Whiplash symptoms include whiplash from pain, soreness, headaches, fatigue, and dizziness.
- Seatbelt injuries – Most vehicles automatically deploy seatbelt tension restraints when they sense an impact. That safety mechanism helps prevent serious injuries. However, it also causes seat belt burns and scarring.
- Paralysis – High-impact rear-end collisions may cause paralysis if the spinal cord is severed.
Steps To Take After A Rear-End Accident
Many people have never been involved in a car accident. If this is your first auto accident, you may feel helpless. Here’s a key tip from our Atlanta rear-end accident lawyers: go visit a doctor immediately after the wreck.
If you’re in pain, you should go to the ER. The ER doctors are trained to identify and treat serious injuries. They’ll examine you and order imaging scans of your injured body parts. Next, they’ll create an appropriate treatment plan for you. Also, they may refer you to an orthopedic specialist.
If you’re sore, but not in much pain, you should visit an urgent care clinic. They can make sure that they don’t have any broken bones. They’ll also prescribe you a muscle relaxer that you’ll need as soon as you wake-up the next day.
If you delay seeking medical treatment, your injuries might not heal. Additionally, the liable party’s insurance adjuster will offer you less settlement money. Don’t give them any excuse to pay you less than you deserve.
If you’ve got questions about what you should do after a car accident, contact an Atlanta car accident lawyer.
Our Atlanta Rear-End Accident Lawyers Can Help You
Car accident claims are more complicated than they initially appear. In fact, insurance adjusters blame accident victims even in clear liability cases. For instance, if you were injured in a rear-end collision, the insurance adjuster usually claims you “stopped too suddenly.”
Our Atlanta rear-end accident lawyers at Graham Scofield Injury Lawyers will help you in the following ways:
- We’ll get you the best medical care – Your injuries may require extensive medical treatment. We’ll refer you to skilled, compassionate medical providers that treat your injuries on a lien basis. That means you don’t have to pay them until your case settles.
- Proving fault – We’ll collect every piece of evidence that you need to prove your claim.
- Negotiations – We’ll negotiate with the insurance company to successfully resolve your case.
- Trial – If the insurance company won’t fairly negotiate with your us, we’ll take your case to trial and ask the jury to compensate you for your losses.
Call us today at (404) 939-9470. Also, you may fill-out our online contact form to schedule a free case review with an Atlanta rear-end accident lawyer.
