What You Should Know About Rear-End Accidents

One of the most common kinds of car accidents are those that occur at the rear-end of a vehicle. They are highly preventable, as they are generally a result of speeding, inattentiveness, or tailgating. Generally speaking, the person who rear-ended the vehicle in front of them is the one blamed for the accident at hand.

Sometimes, rear-end accidents can result in a domino effect, causing the hit vehicle to hit the next vehicle in front. As you can imagine, these accidents can range from slight to extreme, and it is essential you don’t skip out on enlisting in the right legal help during this time, especially when you’re looking for compensation from a getting rear-ended while stopped settlement.

Who is at Fault in a Car Accident Rear-Ending? 

Generally, the driver who rear-ended the vehicle in front of them is the one at fault for the collision in California. However, if the driver in front was negligent, they may be partially or wholly at fault. 

The front driver can be at fault in situations where: 

•  Their brake lights are out.
• They suddenly reverse into the vehicle behind it.
• They pull out in front of another car. 
• They have a flat tire but fail to turn on their hazards or move out of the way. 
• They make a sudden stop. 
• They were intentionally trying to get hit. 
• They were driving drunk. 

All drivers are required to keep plenty of space between them and the car in front of them. Even though the front driver may have been partially at fault, the rear driver may still be negligent by following too close or driving distractedly. California is a comparative negligence state, meaning that each party is responsible for how much the accident was their fault. 

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents can happen because of multiple factors, like:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Distracted driving
• Driving at night
• Stop-and-go traffic
• Malfunctioning or poorly maintained brakes
• Bad weather conditions that result in low visibility or slick roads

Types of Rear-End Accidents 

Common types of rear-end accidents include situations where: 

• One or both drivers have road rage and drive recklessly
• One driver stops suddenly
• One driver is trying to commit insurance fraud by intentionally getting hit
• Multiple cars are piled up
• One car was trying to make a u-turn
• A driver proceeds when they don’t have the right of way

Common Injuries in Rear-End Accidents 

• Whiplash, which is a result of one’s neck-snapping forward and back in a sudden manner. This painful injury can take a significant amount of time to heal, causing chronic neck pain, headaches, and insomnia among other things.
• Soft-tissue damage, such as sprains, bruises, strains, and lacerations. Though these may seem inconsequential, they can have lasting penalties.
• Brain injuries, such as concussions or contusions. These are extremely serious and require the care and treatment of a skilled doctor.

Contact Our Carlsbad Personal Injury Attorneys Today

Have you been injured or involved in a rear-end car accident and are now in need of a Carlsbad personal injury lawyer you can trust? At Levinson Law Group, we are dedicated to helping our clients obtain the results they deserve–no matter how long or how much work it takes.

Though this situation is likely a difficult one, our experienced and considerate legal team will apply all of your time, energy, and resources to resolve your case as efficiently and effectively as possible.

If you’ve been rear-ended in California, contact us at your earliest convenience by calling (760) 827-1700.