Rear-end collisions can be quite damaging both to vehicles and drivers. If you sustained injuries or damage to your vehicle in a rear-end collision, a Clifton rear-end collisions lawyer can help to build a case on your behalf and seek out any compensation that you may be owed. Call the offices of Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C at (201) 585-9111 today to speak with a member of our team.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Most people assume that the driver who rear ends another vehicle holds full responsibility in a rear-end collision. However, it’s important to consider other causes of rear-end collisions, as there are many. In some cases, both drivers might share equal fault. In others, dangerous driving conditions may be the cause of the collision.
Many rear-end collisions are the result of poor vehicle maintenance. For example, if a driver fails to maintain their tail lights and brake lights, then a lack of visibility and signaling may be to blame. Other rear-end collisions may be the result of malfunctioning brakes or other mechanical failures.
Some rear-end collisions may be caused by dangerous driving conditions on the roads. In these cases, the role of responsible parties can become blurry. Factors such as inclement weather and insufficient road maintenance may lead to rear-end collisions. Furthermore, some states may have specific laws that apply to these kinds of accidents on public roads.
Distracted driving and driving under the influence are also common causes of rear-end collisions. If a driver is distracted by their smartphone, radio, or anything else, then a lawyer may be able to factor this into the process of building a case on your behalf. If a driver is driving under the influence of alcohol or other substances, then the likelihood of rear-end collisions increases.
Regardless of the cause of the accident, a lawyer who focuses on rear-end collisions can help you determine the cause of the accident, establish liable parties, and pursue any compensation that you may be owed. If a settlement can’t be reached, a lawyer can also help take your case to trial.
Handling Injuries from Rear-End Collisions
Even if the damage to a vehicle is minimal in a rear-end collision, the injuries a driver sustains can be serious and lasting. According to Mayo Clinic, whiplash is often caused by rear-end collisions. Concussions are also common. Complications from concussions can include loss of vision, impacted motor function, and impaired focus.
Whiplash generally affects the driver in the front vehicle. The force of the impact causes a rapid “whiplash” motion in the neck and spine. This movement can result in serious, permanent damage to a driver’s neck, back, shoulders, and spinal column. Whiplash is also dangerous because its full effects may not be easy to detect right after an accident occurs. Injuries to the neck and back area carry severe, potentially life-altering consequences, and as such, Mayo Clinic advises anyone involved in an auto accident to seek immediate care if they feel neck pain from an injury.
As New Jersey Revised Statute § 2a:14-2 outlines, you generally have up to two years after an accident to take action. Sometimes the injuries from a rear-end collision may not be immediately noticeable. Additionally, their long-term effects may be nearly impossible to predict. The sooner you contact a lawyer who focuses on rear-end collisions, the sooner you can focus on recovering from any injuries that you may have sustained in a rear-end collision.
If you received a concussion, whiplash, or any other injury as the result of a rear-end collision, then a Clifton rear-end collisions lawyer can fight to pursue any compensation that you may be owed for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Contact a member of our team at Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C today by calling (201) 585-9111.
Working with Car Insurance Companies
Car insurance policies play a major role in any rear-end collision. Several factors can impact fault, liability, and the possibility of compensation. If the other driver involved in the incident is uninsured, for example, then it may be more difficult to reach a settlement.
Some state-specific car insurance requirements may also come into play depending on the nature of the accident. To further complicate things, some insurance companies may dispute a claim made by a driver in a rear-end collision. In the case of injuries, a car insurance company may even be able to dispute the severity of the harm sustained. A lawyer who focuses on rear-end collisions can help to examine the responsibilities of all involved car insurance companies in regards to vehicle damage and personal injury.
The State of New Jersey Department of Banking & Insurance considers an abundance of factors when looking at car insurance policies’ coverage responsibilities in rear-end collisions. Many of the decisions you make regarding your incident may be impacted by a number of these policies and guidelines. These considerations can be complex and overwhelming, so it’s helpful to have a lawyer on your side to help you navigate the details. In addition to helping you determine who’s at fault and how your insurance company handles the rear-end collision, a lawyer who focuses on rear-end collisions can also help determine how much compensation you may be owed by taking into account not only your current injuries, but symptoms and long-term effects that may not be obvious in the present.
Get In Touch With Our Office Today
A Clifton rear-end collisions lawyer can fight to defend your rights and help you pursue any compensation you may be owed as the result of a rear-end collision. Call Maggiano, DiGirolamo & Lizzi P.C. today at (201) 585-9111 to speak with a member of our team.
