Rear-end collisions account for thousands of car accident injuries in Alabama each year. Although they can be minor, rear-end accidents aren’t always just mere “fender-benders,” especially when large vehicles like tractor-trailers are involved. At Moore Law Firm, our rear-end accident lawyers in Mobile, AL have helped more than 15,000 clients pursue the damages they deserve after being hurt due to no fault of their own. If you or a loved one has been injured in a crash, we’re here to help you get through it and pursue the compensation you deserve.
Causes Of Rear-End Accidents in Alabama
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents, and make up about 40% of all traffic accidents each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). They most often occur when a car or truck is following too closely behind another vehicle and has to abruptly stop.
Some common causes of rear-end accidents include:
Tailgating – In a perfect world, all drivers would follow the two-second rule, which means staying at least two seconds behind any vehicle directly in front of them. To keep yourself and others safer on the road, maintaining an even greater distance can help prevent them, especially in heavy traffic, inclement weather, or construction zones.
Distracted driving – Rear-end accidents are also caused by distracted driving. Whether you’re texting, adjusting the A/C of your car, or dealing with kids in the backseat, the dangers of distracted driving can be deadly. If you believe a crash was caused by distracted driving, our rear-end accident attorneys in Mobile know how to collect relevant evidence and create compelling arguments to prove fault.
Driver fatigue – Drowsy driving can result in reduced reaction time and may even make a motorist fall asleep at the wheel, which can lead to serious rear-end collisions and other types of crashes.
Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs skew visual perception and show reaction time. Speeding drunk drivers may not realize how close a vehicle is until it’s too late, causing, catastrophic accidents that lead to serious injuries and fatalities.
Speeding –Excessive speeding not only makes it more likely that you’ll be involved in a rear-end accident, but it also puts everyone on the road in danger for many different reasons.
Sudden stops – Traffic can slow or stop at any time while driving. In addition to traffic congestion, large trucks entering or leaving the road in a construction zone, obstructions or debris in the roadway, and many other factors can cause vehicles to stop suddenly. If you believe someone deliberately slammed on their brakes in front of you and you’re injured, our rear-end accident lawyers can evaluate your case and determine who is liable.
Mechanical failure – Damaged or bad brakes sometimes fail, causing not only rear-end collisions but catastrophic multi-car pileups.
Common Rear-End Accident Injuries
Whiplash and other neck injuries – One of the most common injuries sustained in rear-end collisions, whiplash occurs when the impact of a rear-end crash causes the head and neck to whip forward and snap back. Even at slow speeds, the soft tissues, tendons, muscles, and ligaments of the neck and upper back can become strained, sprained, or torn. These types of injuries can cause chronic pain, significantly reduce your range of motion, and take months or even years to heal.
Back and spine injuries – When a rear-end accident occurs unexpectedly, the force of impact can compress or jar the spine, causing herniated discs, cracked vertebrae, low back pain, and other injuries. In some crashes, the impact is so violent that the spine is seriously damaged, leading to permanent paralysis.
Head and brain injuries – Rear-end crashes can also result in serious head injuries like skull fractures, concussions, or traumatic brain injury. If the head strikes the windshield, windows, or other hard surfaces in the vehicle, swelling of the brain and bleeding may occur. Damage to the brain can also occur if the head is violently shaken. The symptoms and severity of a brain injury may not be apparent for days or weeks to come, so it’s vital to seek medical attention as soon as possible after a rear-end accident in Alabama.
Broken ribs – Airbags sometimes deploy with such force that they cause severely bruised or broken ribs. Ribs can also be cracked by the seatbelt or from being struck by something in the car.
Wrist, arm, and leg injuries – Often, when an occupant of a vehicle realizes they’re going to be rear-ended, they may brace for impact with their arms or legs. This can cause serious wrist, arm, shoulder, knee, and leg injuries. A victim may even suffer a compound fracture if the impact is strong enough.
Facial lacerations, scarring, and disfigurement –During a rear-end collision occupants of a vehicle may hit the dashboard, or windshield, or be struck by objects in the car. Broken facial bones, lacerations, and knocked-out teeth can require multiple surgeries and be painful and costly to treat. The lifelong psychological, emotional, and social effects of scarring and disfigurement can be devastating to victims and their families.
Psychological injuries – Being involved in a serious rear-end accident can cause victims to suffer from nightmares, insomnia, PTSD, anxiety, depression, or fear of driving or riding in a car. Although these types of injuries aren’t visible, they can significantly diminish a person’s quality of life.
How Our Mobile Rear-End Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
Being hurt in a rear-end collision that could have been avoided can leave you overwhelmed and wondering what to do next. Over the last 40 years, our rear-end car accident lawyers in Mobile have built a solid record of success in making things right for injured victims. We stand by your side every step of the way and provide the compassionate legal support you need to find justice and healing. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you recover compensation for damages such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment
- Property damage
If you’ve lost a loved one in a car or truck accident, you may be able to file a wrongful death claim against potentially liable parties. Our rear-end car accident lawyers can evaluate your case, help you understand your options, and protect your interests. Alabama has a two-year deadline for filing a wrongful death or personal injury lawsuit, so it’s vital to take action as soon as possible.
Determining Liability In Rear-End Collision Claims
In most cases, liability for rear-end collisions is straightforward, but there are exceptions. However, it’s important to understand that Alabama applies the contributory negligence rule to rear-end accident cases, which means that if you were responsible for the crash in any way, you may not be entitled to any damages at all. That’s why it’s vital to say as little as possible and avoid accepting fault after a car accident. Insurance adjusters can easily twist your words and assign fault, which can result in a denied claim or minimal settlement.
Speak to one of our rear-end accident lawyers before giving a statement, signing anything, or accepting a settlement. Your initial consultation is always free, and our personal injury lawyers take cases on contingency, which means we don’t get paid unless or until you do.
Contact Our Mobile Rear-End Accident Attorneys to Learn More
Our team at Moore Law Firm is well-versed in building strong rear-end collision cases that get results for our clients. Contact us, use the convenient chat feature on our website, or call 251-445-7602 to schedule a consultation with a rear-end car accident lawyer in Mobile today.