Rear-end accidents are frequently caused by the negligence of the driver positioned behind the car that is struck, but not always.
REAR-END ACCIDENTS ARE COMMON
Rear-end accidents account for 29 percent of all car accidents in the greater Chicago area. Although common, some can be very serious and cause significant injuries and damage, leading to expensive medical bills and repair costs. If you or a loved one were rear-ended, you could be entitled to financial compensation for the damages you have suffered as a result of your accident. The Joliet rear-end accident attorneys of Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg have been on the side of accident victims since 1987 and are ready to help you too.
Rear-end accidents are frequently caused by the negligence of the driver positioned behind the car that is struck, but not always.
It is a widely held belief that the driver in the car behind the one that is hit is automatically at fault for a rear-end accident. This is not always the case.
Illinois uses a rebuttable presumption of fault against the driver in the rear. Although it is presumed that the car in the second position did cause the crash, that person can provide evidence that shows otherwise if they feel they were not at fault.
An attorney with experience in rear-end accidents will determine what happened and whether negligence played a role in causing the collision. It is helpful to have an attorney on your side who can examine the evidence and find potential holes. The other driver’s attorney and insurance company certainly will be doing the same.
REAR-END ACCIDENTS ARE COMMON
Rear-end accidents are among the most common, comprising around 28 percent of all accidents that cause serious injuries. Chicago’s rear-end accident rate is very slightly higher than this national average at 29 percent.
Seven percent of all accident fatalities are from rear-end accidents. When two cars are involved in a fatal accident, there is a rear impact 20 percent of the time. Fatalities and serious injuries are often involved with these accidents because the vehicle in front is usually traveling at a slow speed or is stopped when hit by the other car, which is moving faster. Occupants in the front vehicle rarely have the time or ability to brace themselves for impact when this is the case.
Some common reasons for rear-end crashes include, but are not limited to:
Reasons for the car in the front position to be at fault for a rear-end accident are fewer, as cars following others are expected to allow ample space and time to react to other vehicles. However, rear-end accidents can happen when a vehicle makes a sudden stop or does something else that is unexpected. For example, city drivers may attempt to avoid getting a ticket for failure to stop at an intersection by slamming on their breaks suddenly after they notice an attached red-light camera, causing the car behind to hit them.
Due to the force of one vehicle hitting another from the back, rear-end accidents tend to result in certain injuries. The most common is whiplash. This soft tissue injury is caused by the snapping motion the head and neck make upon impact. Half of those with whiplash report having pain that lasts more than a year after their accident.
Other rear-end accident injuries include:
You can potentially receive compensation for medical bills related to these injuries and any others you sustain in an accident.
In addition to compensation for medical bills, you also might be able to recover damages related to future care costs, lost wages and benefits, pain and suffering, and more.
If you or a loved one has recently been injured or killed in a rear-end car accident, the dedicated Illinois personal injury lawyers at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg can help. With over 30 years of experience advocating on behalf of injury victims, we know what it takes to succeed on behalf of our clients. When you invite us to work on your case, we begin working diligently for you and will keep you informed every step of the way.
As a part of the Briskman Guarantee, your initial consultation is free. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay us when we successfully get compensation for you or your family. To learn more, call 1-877-595-4878 to schedule a free consultation today. Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg has locations in Joliet and Chicago to serve you better.
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If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident because of the carelessness of another, you may be able to receive compensation through a personal injury lawsuit.
When you call Briskman Briskman & Greenberg for a free consultation, you will speak directly to an experienced attorney in Chicago, usually one of the firm’s principals, who will assess the facts of your situation and advise you of your rights. Don’t delay getting your free legal consultation: if you fail to pursue your claim in a timely fashion, you could forever lose your rights.