When one driver crashes into the back bumper of another vehicle, it is a rear-end collision, and the rear driver is nearly always at fault. While the fault seems obvious, insurance companies do not play nice. The adjuster will blame you for the accident and argue you were the cause – meanwhile, you are in pain with medical bills continuing to mount.
While you are getting medical attention, you must also get legal assistance. Even when a claim seems simple, you must speak to a Southaven personal injury lawyer from Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
Defining a Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions happen when one car crashes into the back of another. They are the most common type of car accident in Mississippi, and they have various causes, including:
- Drunk or drugged driving
- Ignoring stop signs or red lights
- Tailgating
- Following too closely for road conditions
- Driving too fast for the conditions
- Speeding
- Drowsy or fatigued driving
- Distracted driving
When you have evidence that the driver was participating in one of these actions, you can hold them responsible for your injuries and losses. With substantial evidence and a clear cause, the insurance company cannot deny your claim. They can use other tactics, so you must speak with a rear-end collision lawyer in Southaven, MS.
Whiplash and Other Injuries Are Common
A rear-end crash causes the vehicle occupants in the leading car to jolt forward, resulting in many serious injuries. The sudden jolt means your head is shaking back and forth, leading to the most common rear-end injury: whiplash.
Whiplash has long-lasting effects like migraines and chronic pain. The muscles, tendons, and nerves in your neck are put under extreme pressure that can change your life. Do not ignore neck pain after an accident because you could have whiplash.
While whiplash is the most common injury from a rear-end collision, it is not the only one. These crashes also lead to other neck injuries, fractures, back injuries, and head trauma.
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Parking Lots Are Notorious for Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions happen anywhere but are common on highways and intersections. Parking lots are also notorious for these accidents. Rear-end collisions in parking lots are complex because while all drivers have a lower speed, they can still fail to react in time.
The front driver is slowing down to allow a pedestrian to cross, and the rear driver is following too closely and hits them. Entering and exiting parking spaces is another complication in rear-end collisions. You must speak with a Southaven rear-end collision lawyer if your crash is in a parking lot.
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Pursuing Damages for a Rear-End Collision
Most rear-end collisions are straightforward, and reaching a settlement for your losses is not challenging. The basic steps of a rear-end claim involve the following:
- Filing an insurance claim.
- Presenting evidence of liability and losses.
- Negotiating with an insurance representative to reach a settlement.
Since it sounds simple, many victims do not hire legal representation, which is a grave mistake. Insurance companies are looking to reduce their payout to save money for their company and may try to shortchange you. A rear-end collision attorney in Southaven, MS, can handle all these steps and ensure you get the best settlement possible for your injuries.
You can focus on healing and attending medical appointments while we take on the legal process. The key to your negotiations and compensation is calculating your losses, including past, current, and future losses. Some recoverable damages we will seek are:
- Loss of services
- Medical care
- Initial triage, transportation, and treatment
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damages
There are other tangible and intangible losses you can have from a rear-end wreck, and it is vital to speak to the Southaven rear-end collision lawyers from GKBM after a crash. Unfortunately, when the insurance company and driver do not take responsibility for their actions, and you don’t get a settlement, you must take additional legal action.
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Wrongful Death Damages
The loss of a relative does not have a price, but you must file a collision claim when your relative dies in a rear-end collision. We see fatalities in rear-end accidents, and these losses are more than emotional. The financial consequences that come from a vehicle collision death include:
- Medical bills from the accident before their passing
- Loss of income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Loss of guidance, love, care, or companionship
GKBM sympathizes with your situation. How do you put a price on your family’s life? You cannot, and we can work with financial experts to calculate how much you are losing without them here. We cannot bring your family back, but we can get justice for your loss.
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Filing a Lawsuit
When we are far from a settlement, and the insurance company continues to push back, it is time to begin a lawsuit. Litigation does not automatically mean trial, as there are many steps along the way where you can settle a claim. However, your Southaven rear-end collision attorney will prepare your case for trial, although it is unlikely to get to that point.
As with all legal matters, it is best to prepare for all possible outcomes.
One of the procedures that can lead to a settlement during litigation is mediation. We specialize in resolving claims before continuing to the time and expense of a trial. The insurance company will try to delay, but they frequently change their minds when they see we are serious and willing to go to court.
Our Southaven Rear-End-Collision Lawyers Are Ready to Fight for You
Regardless of your case, our team is ready to fight for you. We will collect evidence, present your claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement. We go into litigation if the insurance company refuses to give you what you deserve. If the at-fault driver is uninsured, we find other ways to get your compensation and hold them responsible.
You only have three years from the accident to take action, so contact Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, for an initial consultation with a Southaven rear-end collision lawyer today.