A rear-end collision may not appear as devastating as a head-on collision or other catastrophic car accident, but it can cause just as many serious injuries and property damage. This is especially true if a large-scale truck slams into the back of a vehicle or if an SUV rear ends the back of a motorcycle.
If a Tennessee rear-end collision has changed your life because of another driver’s negligence, the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC, can help you on the road to recovery. We dedicate ourselves to getting our clients the maximum compensation for injuries and damages suffered due to a rear-end collision. Call us today at 865-546-1111 for a free, no-obligation case evaluation with a rear-end collision accident lawyer in Kingsport.
What Causes Rear-End Accidents?
A rear-end collision can bring devastation to a person’s life. That is why we advocate so strongly for our clients. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), between 2012 and 2014, almost half of all two-vehicle crashes were rear-end collisions. These accidents killed more than 1,700 people each year.
In our years of experience, we have found that rear-end crashes occur due to:
- Abrupt lane changes;
- Bad road conditions;
- Distracted driving, including texting, talking on the phone or to passengers, or using a GPS while behind the wheel;
- Impaired driving due to drugs or alcohol;
- Speeding; and
How Can I Hold the At-Fault Driver Responsible for My Injuries?
Our lawyers can help you hold the other driver responsible for your damages by filing a personal injury claim with their insurance company. In order to file a claim, we will need to prove the at-fault driver exhibited negligence and caused the wreck.
All motorists have a responsibility to drive safely. If the other driver failed to uphold this responsibility and caused your wreck and resulting injuries, we can hold them liable for your damages.
To prove this, we will collect as much evidence as possible, including:
- Photos of the accident scene;
- Police reports of the accident;
- Your medical reports detailing your injuries;
- Traffic surveillance camera footage;
- The driving record of the motorist who caused the accident;
- Eyewitness testimony; and
- Receipts or estimates of vehicle repair costs.
When necessary, we will work with a specialist to reconstruct the accident scene. We also have medical experts who can provide opinions on the severity and long-term impact of your injuries. Our firm has an excellent team of experts that we use when investigating injury claims.
Tennessee allows one year from the time your rear-end collision accident occurred to file a lawsuit, however. This is why it is important to contact our lawyers as soon as possible to begin your case evaluation process.
Why Do We Need So Much Evidence When the Rear Driver Was Clearly at Fault?
Considering the damage to the rear of your vehicle, it may appear that the driver behind you definitely caused the accident. However, the rear driver may accuse you of contributing to the collision. For instance, the driver may say you changed lanes quickly without signaling. They could also claim your brake lights were not working and you stopped suddenly, and which caused the driver to hit you.
Insurance companies often use these types of scenarios to challenge claims for damages. Using the rear driver’s testimony, their insurer may try to deny your claim or reduce your compensation amount. We advise injury victims not to admit fault for an accident without first speaking to one of our attorneys.
What If I Was Partially at Fault for the Crash?
Determining fault after a car accident is often a complex process. However, under Tennessee’s comparative negligence rule, you may still seek compensation after a car wreck, as long as you were less than 50 percent responsible for causing the crash. The percentage of fault determines the percentage of compensation each driver receives. That means that you can still recover partial damages if you played a part in your rear-end collision accident.
For instance, if your damages totaled $50,000, but an auto insurer or a jury found that you were 20 percent responsible for the accident, you would receive only 80 percent—or $40,000—of the total damages requested. Drivers who were 50 percent at fault for an accident cannot recover compensation.
Our attorneys can help you understand your degree of fault in your crash so you can recover your maximum amount of compensation.
How Much Compensation Can I Receive For My Injuries?
Several factors go into calculating compensation, such as the severity of your injuries and whether you were partially at fault for the accident. Nonetheless, you may recover compensation for a variety of expenses that include:
- Home health care;
- In-patient rehabilitation;
- Lost wages, if you cannot work due to your injuries;
- Medical devices and equipment, including neck braces and wheelchairs;
- Physical therapy;
- Vehicle repair costs;
- Pain and suffering;
- Mental anguish; and
- Funeral expenses, if a loved one died in the crash.
Your compensation amount also depends upon the medical expenses you incurred because of your injuries. Whiplash and other spinal cord injuries are commonly sustained in a rear-end accident because the head moves backwards and forwards quickly, often with a snapping motion. These injuries can be expensive to treat, but we can help you recover compensation for your medical bills.
Let Our Rear-End Collision Lawyers in Kingsport Negotiate Your Insurance Claim.
At the Law Offices of Ogle, Elrod & Baril, PLLC, we can negotiate your claim directly with the insurance company of the driver who caused the accident. Having experienced legal representation works to your advantage because we understand the games insurance companies play to try to reduce or deny your settlement offer. We know the worth of your claim and we aggressively fight on your behalf to get the maximum compensation that you deserve. If we cannot come to a settlement agreement out of court, we will help you file a personal injury lawsuit to let the court decide the matter.
Let us help you recover compensation for your rear-end collision accident. Contact us now at 865-546-1111 for your free, no-obligation case review.