Involvement in an automobile accident could result in extensive property damage and potentially serious physical and internal injuries. That said, rear end incidents can be particularly frustrating.
A NYC car accident attorney invites concerned parties to read on to learn more about such mishaps, the steps impacted subjects should take if involved in these incidents and how a personal injury lawyer might help said subjects earn compensation for their injuries.
Rear End Accident Overview
As the description would indicate, rear end incidents occur when the motorist of one vehicle plows into the rear of the automobile in front of them.
Common Causes
There are numerous potential causes for rear end collisions.
Arguably, the most common yet also most preventable precipitators is distracted driving. Often, these unfortunate mishaps are the result of irresponsible motorists engaging in actions such as texting, speaking on their mobile phone, searching for items, tuning the radio, setting GPS systems, or reading documents. The inattentiveness of these drivers leads them to lose focus and fail to stop in time to avoid a collision.
That said, rear end mishaps could also be elicited by other malfeasant driving practices, like speeding or tailgating and driving under the influence of alcohol or some other mind or reflex-altering substance. This would include illicit drugs or even prescription or over-the-counter medications.
Less common causes are driver fatigue, inclement weather, poor road conditions and mechanical failures on any of the involved vehicles.
Potential Injuries
Even rear end collisions that occur at mild to moderate speeds could cause a host of potentially serious head, neck and back injuries. However, one of the most common physical manifestations of these incidents is a condition known as whiplash.
Said malady could precipitate a host of symptoms, including neck pain and stiffness, the inability to turn or move the neck, headaches, in addition to upper arm and shoulder discomfort. In more severe cases, stricken subjects might also experience dizziness, fatigue, nausea, arm tingling or numbness, vision disturbances, cognitive difficulties and depression.
Steps to Execute Following a Rear End Collision
Insurance, safety and medical professionals maintain that rear end car accident victims execute the following steps in the immediate wake of the incident:
Securing the Area
Immediately following the accident, involved parties who are physically capable should move their vehicles to a secure location, like a roadway’s shoulder.
Notify Authorities
The local authorities should be notified. Said officials can further secure the scene and author an accurate, third-party, accident report based upon motorist and any eyewitness testimony.
Exchange Pertinent Information
Accident parties should retrieve pertinent contact and insurance information from the other involved motorists. Moreover, said data should also be collected from eyewitnesses.
Obtain Prompt Medical Evaluation
Healthcare providers often caution that injuries, potentially even serious physical and internal automobile accident-related maladies may not manifest for several days following the incident. This is attributed to the shock and distraction associated with said events, which precipitates a rise in stress hormones, like adrenaline.
Ergo, a quick medical assessment is necessary to determine if any potentially significant problems are burgeoning. Furthermore, medical reports connecting any injuries to the accident in question are a key facet of any personal injury lawsuit.
Contact A Personal Injury Attorney
Rear end accident victims are firmly urged to speak with a NYC car accident attorney as soon as possible. Said legal professional can review the case’s facts and determine if the prospective client has a legitimate argument. If so, said parties might be able to move forward with a civil action against the offending motorist.
Benefits of Hiring an Attorney
Success in a rear end accident case hinges on the plaintiff and said individual’s capacity to prove fault. New York adheres to a principle known as pure comparative negligence, which means the plaintiff can collect damages even if they are ruled 99 percent to blame.
That said, to collect greater compensation, the plaintiff must demonstrate to an adjudicating body that the accused bore a majority of the blame.
Additionally, all personal injury cases also rest on plaintiff and lawyer’s ability to satisfactorily demonstrate the following issues:
- The accused engaged in some type of irresponsible or malfeasant actions
- Said behavior caused the accident
- The plaintiff’s injuries are directly related to the incident in question
- No other physical problem or preexisting illness and the compensation sought is correlated to those injuries.
An experienced NYC car accident lawyer increases the plaintiff’s success in this endeavor by performing tasks, such as interviewing witnesses, procuring medical and law enforcement reports, investigating the accident scene, and uncovering the offending motorist’s driving history.
