Rear End Accidents Throughout Georgia Can Cause Serious Injuries
Rear end accidents are the most common type of motor vehicle accident, and over 2.5 million rear end accidents occur annually. Rear end accidents are also known as "whiplash accidents" because they frequently result in whiplash type injuries to occupants of the vehicle that is rear ended. Though rear end accidents may occur at low speeds, they can be deadly. Rear end accidents can result in very serious injuries but can be extremely challenging, especially where there is minimal visible damage to one's car. With little property damage, insurance company adjusters typically try to persuade rear end accident victims to settle cases quickly and cheaply. Adjusters will often argue that the lack of obvious vehicle damage means that there cannot be any significant injuries. But that is simply not correct.
Even with minimal damage to a vehicle, someone can be badly injured in a rear end collision. When adjusters say there can't be serious injuries unless the car has been badly damaged- it is just the insurance company trying to avoid paying the true value of a rear end accident victim's claim. The adjuster works for the insurance company, and the insurance company doesn't care whether you are really injured or about compensating you for those injuries. If you are involved in a Georgia rear end collision, you should contact the experienced rear end accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. We have provided this article to provide an overview of types of rear end collisions, common types of injuries and legal issues that typically arise.
Rear end collisions can happen on any type of roadway, but are also very common when backing one's vehicle out of a driveway or in a parking lot. These accidents frequently occur when a driver is stopped on a city street or freeway in the middle of congested traffic and other drivers are distracted, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or otherwise not paying attention. Distracted drivers who are simply not paying enough attention to what is happening in front of their vehicle frequently cause rear end collisions. Other factors that can contribute to rear end collisions include the following:
• Driving Too Fast: A driver who is speeding or driving too fast for road or weather conditions may not be able to stop in time
• Disregarding Traffic Signals: Drivers may not notice a light change color and plow into stopped traffic
• Inappropriate Following Distance: Failure to allow sufficient following distance to make an unanticipated sudden stop
• Failure To Use Rear View Mirror: Some drivers fail to check their rearview mirror before backing their vehicle
• Not Looking Behind Vehicle Before Getting In: A driver should always walk behind one's vehicle before backing one's vehicle to look for children and other obstacles
Despite insurance adjuster efforts to minimize the significance of many rear end accidents, rear end collisions can result in very serious injuries including the following:
• Whiplash or "soft tissue" Injuries to the Neck and Back: Even low speed collisions can result in painful whiplash injuries to one's neck and back. A rear end crash causes the body to be slammed forward with tremendous force and then jerked back which can lead to significant injuries involving ongoing pain and rehabilitative therapy.
• Wrist, Arm and Hand Injuries: Drivers who anticipate being hit from behind when seeing the other vehicle in their rearview mirros may brace against the steering wheel or dashboard prior to impact. The force of the collision can lead to fractures of the wrist, arm or hand.
• Internal Organ Damage: While your seat belt can save your life, the force of being violently slammed against one's locked seat belt can cause damage to one's internal organs.
It is common that fault in rear end collision accidents is normally assigned to the party in the rear, but this general principle of liability is far from absolute. There are a number of situations where both drivers may be partially at fault, another party is negligent or the driver in front is negligent. Factors that may complicate the determination of who is at fault in a rear end accident include road conditions, impaired driving by any of the parties involved and actions of other drivers. The driver in front may make a sudden unsafe lane change or may have non-functioning tail lights, which can affect who is at fault. Another common scenario where determining fault is more complicated involves a driver who is stopped for traffic and is hit from behind causing the vehicle to collide with another stopped vehicle.
If you are involved in a rear end collision, it is important that you seek legal advice from an experienced Georgia rear end collision accident lawyer so that such complex liability issues can be evaluated. You should never assume that you know who is at fault or rely exclusively on a police officer's determination of fault. The experienced rear end accident lawyers at Montlick and Associates will conduct our own investigation and evaluation to determine your rights to financial compensation for your injuries. Our Georgia rear end accident attorneys are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Dalton, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. Call us today for your free consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333), or visit us on the web at www.montlick.com. No matter where you are, we are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you.