The unfortunate reality is that at some point in your life, you’ll probably be rear-ended.

Rear-end collisions are some of the most common types on the road. They can happen when the driver behind you is distracted, such as by texting or using other electronics, when the driver fails to leave enough time to stop or slow down, and even when they are drowsy or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Though many rear-end collisions cause only minor personal injuries, some can have serious, even catastrophic, consequences that lead to significant damages. If you’ve been hit from behind, it is important to seek the medical care you need and consult a knowledgeable lawyer about your legal rights and potential options.

What Is Considered a Rear-End Collision?

Simply put, a rear-end collision occurs when one vehicle hits another vehicle from behind. This can involve cars, trucks, motorcycles, bicycles, or any other vehicle on the road. These crashes are fairly common; according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 29% of all accidents can be categorized as rear-end collisions.

Generally, the driver who hits another vehicle from behind will be liable for the injuries and damages they have caused. However, there are exceptions, and much will depend on the facts of the case, the conduct of the parties, and the strength of the evidence in your claim. Insurance companies will often try to deny a rear-end collision claim — or even attempt to blame the victim for the cause of the crash — even in straightforward situations. It is important to understand the impact of a rear-end collision and consult with a car accident lawyer with experience in this area.

How Dangerous Are Rear-End Collisions?

Some rear-end collisions are more dangerous than others. In some cases, they can lead to serious, even catastrophic injuries and damages. Several factors can influence how dangerous a rear-end collision may be, including the following:

• The size of the vehicle that hit you
• The angle at which the other vehicle collided with yours
• How close the other vehicle was to you at the time it hit you
• The speed of the other vehicle when it collided with yours
• Whether the other vehicle attempted to stop or slow down
• Whether the other driver was distracted, drowsy, or under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• The types of vehicles involved

Common Rear-End Accident Injuries

After a rear-end accident, there are many different injuries, some of which can be severe. You may be faced with a head injury, traumatic brain injury, or concussion or suffer a back, shoulder, or spinal injury as you are hit from behind. Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries are common, and broken or fractured bones and injuries to internal organs are also possible.

In the most serious cases, a victim might even suffer full or partial paralysis, other catastrophic injuries, or even wrongful death. Those personal injuries can result in the need to pay costly medical expenses, including hospital stays, doctors and specialists’ visits, prescription drugs, and medical testing and imaging.

In addition to personal injuries, a rear-end collision might cause other damages, including:

• The costs of replacing or repairing your vehicle
• Lost wages or income if you are unable to work as a result of the accident
• The costs of rehabilitative, nursing, or home care
• Your pain and suffering
• Your mental anguish and emotional or psychological trauma
• The loss of enjoyment in activities that you are no longer able to do after the accident
• The overall decline in the quality of your life

What Is the Average Settlement for a Rear-End Car Accident?

You would be hard-pressed to find an exact figure that represents the average settlement in rear-end car accidents. This is because many different factors help determine the amount of damages in a settlement. First, the difficulty of the claim and the law involved can make a difference in how much you can recover. If complex laws are involved, it will be more difficult to ensure your claim satisfies all of the elements.

Moreover, the complexity of the facts of your case can greatly impact your potential settlement offers. The number of parties involved and whether any large insurance companies back them might also make a difference regarding the potential settlement amount.

Generally, the amount of damages you have incurred and the severity of your injuries will be the greatest factor in determining the settlement amount in your case. The average settlement amount also tends to increase whenever you can preserve important evidence, such as witness statements, photos of the accident scene and reports that support your claims.

An experienced and knowledgeable car accident attorney can help with this, and they can also help you negotiate with the insurance companies involved toward a favorable resolution. Insurance companies tend to have significant legal and financial resources on their side, and going up against them alone is never advisable.

How Can Johnson Garcia Help With Your Rear-End Car Accident Claim?

A rear-end car accident claim can quickly become complicated, particularly when insurance companies are involved and liability and damages are being questioned. An experienced car accident lawyer can help negotiate with the responsible party and their insurance company towards a fair and reasonable settlement, and they can prepare a strong negligence case on your behalf to present in court.

The attorneys at Johnson Garcia have more than 35 years of experience in helping victims of car accidents obtain sizable settlements and resolve their claims. If you’ve been injured in a rear-end car accident caused by the negligence of another party, call our Houston-based legal team at Johnson Garcia.

Even when the other party or their insurer is not negotiating fairly, the personal injury attorneys at Johnson Garcia can help, and we will file a lawsuit on your behalf and take your case to trial if needed. We can be reached by phone at 832-844-6700 or you can contact us online.