1-800-931-7036
If one car hits the rear end of the vehicle in front of it, the resulting impact can cause severe injuries. By the same token, there are times when such an impact can trigger a chain reaction accident.
Most likely cause for a rear-end collision
• Tailgating
• Distracted driving
• Road defect makes stopping difficult
• Faulty brake lights on front car
Sources of evidence
• Facts that indicate a car’s speed, or show an absence of movement.
• Knowledge of earlier traffic violation committed by driver
• Witness statements
• Photographs or video footage
• Police report
Possible defenses
• Faulty brake lights on front car
• Driver made sudden stop.
• Front driver went into reverse.
• Driver that was hit demonstrated behavior that qualified as comparative/contributory negligence.
One example of a simple case
A man stops at an intersection. Another car stops behind him, at an acceptable distance. The man that made the first stop puts his car in reverse and moves backward. He hits the car behind him. There were 2 people in the car that was hit, a driver and a passenger. There was no evidence of speeding by the car to the rear. There was a witness in the same vehicle. There was minimal damage to both vehicles. The case was handled in the manner expected for the obvious nature of the circumstances.
One example of a more complex case
A man that is driving while under the influence fails to note the stopped cars at an approaching traffic light. He slams into the back of a station wagon. The driver in the station wagon cannot keep his vehicle from hitting the automobile in front of him. The responsible driver has no insurance. The insurance company for the owner of the station wagon contends that the wagon’s driver could have prevented the damage to the automobile in front of him. Consequently, it refuses to cover that damage.
The owner had collision coverage, and so the insurance company pays for damage to the station wagon. The driver does not report any injuries.
A clear-cut case
A woman comes off the freeway and must stop quickly, because the cars are backing up. A faster driver plows into her car’s rear. She becomes unconscious for a few minutes. Her car is a total loss. The insurance company estimates the value of the woman’s car, and pays her that amount. She sees a doctor within 24 hours of the accident. She has 2 broken ribs. She also hit her head on the ceiling of the car. In addition, she has a history of neurological problems, but there is no evidence of any neurological damage. Still, she cannot return to work.She seeks compensation for medical expenses and lost income. And that is when she needs to contact a personal injury lawyer in Hamilton.