Rear-Ended in a Car Accident

Were you hurt due to a rear-end car accident in Dallas?

Rear end collisions are one of the most common types of car crashes on the road today. While it is generally accepted that the driver who rear ends another is solely responsible for the accident, there are some instances in which this is not the case. Rear end collisions and the ensuing responsibility can actually create a rather complex chain of events.

Determination of fault.

In most cases, even the courts consider the driver who rear ends another car as the sole person responsible for the accident. However, even the courts make allowances, most often in cases when the vehicle that was rear-ended made a sudden lane change or unsafely entered the roadway. Certainly, every case is unique and the issue of liability is a very important factor in any car accident case.
All drivers need to be alert and prepared for the possibility that the car or cars in front of them may stop or slow suddenly. This can happen due to an accident, road debris, an animal in the road, and sometimes for no clear reason whatsoever. Each driver needs to know the capabilities of the car he or she is driving; ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Following distance is an essential factor in determination of fault in a rear end collision. The law requires drivers to allow enough distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them to be able to safely stop in an emergency situation. This falls under the section of the motor vehicle code that requires drivers to have their vehicles under control at all times. This distance will vary depending on the speed a car is traveling, traffic conditions, and the condition of the road, especially as it relates to the weather (rain, snow, ice, wind, etc.). Even road construction will impact safe following distance. Read more on how to prevent rear-end accidents.

Common injuries in rear end collisions.

The injury most commonly associated with rear end collisions is hyperflexion-hyperextension cervical problems, commonly known as “whiplash.” It is quite unfortunate that the media is so critical of these types of injuries—there are so many people who deliberately lie about their symptoms. At this point in time there is still no diagnostic method to measure these types of injuries, but they can have devastating effects on an auto accident victim.
The very nature of these injuries makes them difficult to understand because there is often a delay before symptoms appear. Sometimes neck, back and pain in the head do not begin for a day or more. In fact, lower back pain often takes days or weeks to become anything substantial. Some rear-end collisions are serious enough to require surgery along with long term health care.
Rear end collisions still tend to result in serious injuries in spite of the driver’s and passengers’ use of seatbelts, headrests, and other injury-reducing devices. It makes no difference what type of injury a person has endured when he or she is involved in a rear end collision; that person still has the right to be compensated for any injuries received due to the negligence of another person. Our experienced DFW lawyers can help you collect compensation for any injuries you've suffered because of another’s negligence. Contact us today by calling 214-651-6100 or (214) 617-1886 (toll-free).