Rear End Collision Lawyer

Seattle has an estimated population of 725,000, making it the largest city in the state of Washington and the Pacific Northwest. Part of being in a major city is having to face that driving will likely be an ordeal. Seattle residents are well aware that driving can be risky as reckless drivers, poor road conditions, and other obstacles can lead to an accident at any time.

Rear-end collisions can cause a surprising amount of vehicle damage and bodily injury. Many people are often surprised by how severe their injuries are following being rear-ended. Because of this, they may underestimate the current and future impact of their accident. When filing your accident claim, consider discussing your case with a Seattle rear-end accident lawyer who may be able to help you obtain a settlement that accurately reflects your damages.

Common Rear-End Accident Injuries in Seattle 

Auto accident injuries can vary greatly. The details surrounding your accident will significantly influence the nature of the injuries you experience. However, even seemingly minor accidents can produce severe injuries with a long-lasting impact on your daily life. Millions of people sustain auto accident injuries that necessitate emergency care every year.

A rear-end collision can cause a lot of severe injuries, including:

  • Head injuries
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)
  • Whiplash
  • Bruising
  • Neck and back pain
  • Paralysis

Rear-end accidents can even result in fatal injuries. In 2019, data from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration revealed that 20.4% of fatal large truck crashes resulted from rear-end collisions involving a passenger car. Though you may feel okay immediately following your accident, early medical intervention could reveal underlying injury, help save your life, and document your injuries. The expense of treating rear-end accident injuries can be substantial.

Also, rear-end accidents typically lead to further issues, such as missed work and disability, which can affect your financial stability and quality of life. As the victim of another driver’s negligence, you shouldn’t be liable for these expenses. Through a successful vehicle accident lawsuit, you could receive compensation for the cost of your medical care and any losses brought on by your accident.

The Most Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

According to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions make up around 29% of all crashes. They were also found to be the most common type of collision. In 2017, DriveTeam reported that rear-end accidents were among the most common types of collisions involving teens. Driving can occasionally resemble playing a strategy game as you attempt to anticipate, accommodate, and avoid other drivers’ movements.

When drivers break laws or fail to communicate or recognize each other’s intentions, accidents are nearly an inevitability.

Rear-end collisions can be the outcome of various circumstances, including the following:

  • Driver fatigue
  • Driving over the speed limit
  • Driving under the influence (DUI)
  • Earlier collisions
  • Merging unsafely
  • Texting while driving
  • Tailgating

On the road, many people behave carelessly and disregard others’ safety and rear-end accidents are a frequent example of the consequences of negligence while driving. According to a 2018 report by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, texting increases your risk of rear-ending someone by seven times.

Who Is Liable for a Rear-End Accident?

For rear-end collisions, the driver of the car in the back is normally held responsible for the accident. Occasionally the driver in front may be at least partially to blame, but ultimately it takes an investigation to determine liability for a rear-end accident. 

Examples of situations where the driver in front may be held accountable include scenarios where:

  • The front car had defective brakes or tail lights.
  • The driver of the front car was leaving a parking spot erratically.
  • The front driver made an abrupt stop.
  • The front car responded poorly to a previous collision.
  • The front car is driving recklessly in poor weather conditions.
  • The front driver cuts off the rear driver and applies the brakes.

Liability is a crucial aspect of pursuing compensation from a car accident claim. Reaching out to an experienced car accident attorney who can help you establish another driver’s liability and obtain fair damages may be advantageous. 

Can I Recover Compensation After a Seattle Rear-End Accident

Following an auto accident in Washington, you can obtain compensation by either filing an insurance claim against the at-fault driver’s policy or filing a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. Washington is a “fault-based accident” state, meaning that the at-fault driver is financially liable for the damages suffered by any accident victims. These losses could come from lost wages, medical costs, suffering, property damage, and more.

For your claim to be successful, you must show that the at-fault party’s negligence caused the collision that resulted in your injuries. Your lawyer might be able to undertake a thorough investigation into your accident and assist you in assembling the evidence required to prove the other party’s liability. As long as you have the necessary policies, you can also submit a claim with your own insurance if the other motorist does not have insurance or does not have enough coverage to cover your losses.

Obtain Legal Counsel From a Reputable Seattle Rear-End Accident Attorney

Regardless of the type of collision, being in an auto accident is tremendously upsetting. Dealing with insurance companies, getting bills from healthcare providers, and seeing your income drop because you can’t work adds to your stress. Also, obtaining the total amount of damages you are legally entitled to is often an uphill battle. 

You might want the services of a knowledgeable rear-end collision lawyer to fight for your rights. Premier Law Group will tenaciously pursue the insurance company or liable driver for compensation on your behalf and will not charge a fee unless we win. We are a client-oriented, experienced and dedicated firm that can advise you on handling matters relevant to your claim’s success. To find out more, fill out our contact form or call us at (206) 880-7518 to schedule a free case evaluation.