Rear-end collisions are the most common crash type in the U.S. Although rear-end crashes can cause serious injuries, they are less likely to cause fatalities than other car accidents, such as head-on crashes. Nevertheless, rear-end crashes in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, can result in significant financial losses and medical costs.
Florida law includes a complicated no-fault system that may affect your injury compensation for a rear-end crash. A Fort Walton Beach rear-end crash lawyer from Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers can analyze your crash and identify your legal claims after a collision.
Contact us online or call (850) 604-3844 today for a free consultation.
How Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Rear-End Accident in Fort Walton Beach, FL
For decades, our family-run law firm has served injured clients in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Our attorneys have over 75 years of combined legal experience fighting insurers and their defense lawyers. They have used their extensive experience and knowledge to recover hundreds of millions of dollars in financial compensation for accident victims like you.
Our lawyers provide the following services after your rear-end collision:
- Review the evidence and explain your legal options
- Build your case by gathering evidence against the at-fault driver
- File a claim with the other driver’s insurance carrier
- Negotiate a settlement or file a lawsuit if a settlement is impossible
A rear-end crash may present complicated issues of law and fact, particularly given Florida’s no-fault insurance system. Contact Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation with a Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer to discuss your options for financial compensation after a rear-end collision.
What Are the Trends in Fort Worth Rear-End Collisions?
Rear-end crashes happen when a driver slams into the back of the vehicle ahead of them. They are also called front-to-rear collisions because the front of the trailing vehicle hits the rear of the leading vehicle.
In the front vehicle, the occupants are pushed back into their seats. Their heads may whip backward until they hit the headrests. The driver of the front vehicle slams on the brakes as a reflex. The car stops abruptly, and the occupants whip forward into their seat belts.
The occupants of the rear vehicle experience the same forces but in the opposite sequence. When they hit the vehicle in front of them, their bodies and heads whip forward due to their momentum. They slam into their seat belts or, if they are unbelted, the dashboard and steering wheel. As their vehicle comes to a stop, they whip back into their seats.
The back-and-forth forces can hyperextend the neck and rattle the brain. This is why whiplash and concussions are common rear-end collision injuries. Vehicle occupants might also suffer chest injuries due to the impact with the seat belt. They can injure their wrists and hands if they extend their arms in front of them during the crash.
Causes of Rear-End Crashes in Fort Worth
According to the National Safety Council, rear-end crashes are the most common type of multi-vehicle collision. Over 40% of collisions involve a front-to-rear crash.
However, the causes of these crashes vary.
Common events that lead to these types of collisions include the following:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Unsafe lane changes
Rear-end crashes happen when the rear driver cannot stop or swerve in time to avoid hitting the car in front of them. However, the underlying reason depends on the situation.
Tailgating and speeding reduce the window of time for the driver to make an emergency maneuver when the car in front of them slows down or stops. Distractions and inattention prevent the driver from seeing the other vehicle slow down. They can also block the driver from making an evasive maneuver.
Unsafe lane changes can contribute to rear-end crashes. When a driver changes lanes without leaving enough space for the driver behind them, they can deprive the rear driver of the time and space needed to stop safely.
Liability for Rear-End Accidents in Florida
The liability for car crashes is determined using negligence principles. A driver acts negligently when they fail to exercise reasonable care under the circumstances. For example, a driver may be negligent when they tailgate another vehicle because they know or reasonably should know that this behavior can result in a collision if the vehicle stops suddenly.
In most cases, the liability for a rear-end crash falls on the driver of the rear vehicle. This driver is responsible for maintaining a safe following distance. If they tailgate, speed, or drive while distracted, they are probably failing to exercise the caution expected of an ordinary, responsible driver.
However, the driver of the front vehicle may bear the liability for crashes caused by unsafe lane changes. In other words, a driver who cuts off another vehicle might be responsible if they collide.
Contact Our Fort Walton Beach Rear-End Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A rear-end crash is often not as clear-cut as it may seem at first, particularly under the no-fault system. Contact Gross & Schuster Injury Lawyers for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Fort Walton Beach rear-end accident attorney.