Rear End Accident Lawyer in Virginia
Rear end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents, and they normally result from driver inattention or error. Victims may experience serious injuries, including whiplash, broken bones, lacerations, and traumatic brain injuries. A skilled Virginia rear end accident lawyer at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can hold the responsible parties accountable and help you recover compensation for your losses.
Rear end collisions occur when a following vehicle fails to brake in time, causing it to crash into a vehicle in front. In some cases, the car in front may have fully stopped, making the impact from the crash especially severe if the following vehicle is traveling at even moderate speed.
Following a rear end collision, seeking an attorney’s counsel is critical. A Virginia rear end accident lawyer at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can evaluate your case and help you recover compensation for medical costs, lost wages, pain, and suffering. We offer free consultations, so there is no downside to having your case reviewed by one of our skilled personal injury attorneys.
Why Work With a Rear End Accident Lawyer From Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers?
In the days following a collision, you may hear from insurance companies hoping to get you to sign off on a quick settlement that may or may not cover the full extent of your losses. However, you might not know how much your accident is truly worth until you seek medical attention and a skilled lawyer’s advice.
The knowledgeable rear end collision lawyers at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have years of experience defending the rights of car accident victims. We are a full-service personal injury law firm with the skills and resources needed to handle even the most complex lawsuits. Why work with us?
- We provide individualized attention tailored to the unique circumstances of your case.
- We have a deep knowledge of personal injury law, including the laws impacting rear end motor vehicle accidents.
- We have recovered tens of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts, including the second-highest car accident verdict in Virginia in 2022.
- Our world-class legal team has received numerous awards and honors, including from Best Lawyers, Top Lawyers of Coastal Virginia, and Virginia Super Lawyers.
- We never represent insurance companies, and we have the skills and resources needed to push back when they unfairly try to diminish or deny the true value of your claim.
When you hire Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers to represent you, there are no upfront fees. We offer free, no-obligation case reviews. Further, because we operate on a contingency fee basis, you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Causes of Rear End Collisions in Virginia
Rear end collisions accounted for 17.9 percent of all fatal car accidents in 2021. In total, 3,600 were killed. If you have lost a loved one in a rear end accident, our attorneys can help you pursue justice and accountability through a wrongful death lawsuit.
At the end of the day, each accident is unique and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by a skilled attorney. That said, causation patterns do emerge. Some of the most common causes of rear end collisions include:
Driver Distraction
Drivers must keep their eyes on their surroundings to ensure their own safety and that of everyone around them. However, many factors can distract motorists, such as cell phones, radios, or other passengers in the vehicle.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 87 percent of rear end collisions involve a distracted driver. In 2022, almost 11,000 Virginians were injured in distracted driving collisions, up nearly 6 percent from the prior year.
Following Too Closely
The Virginia DMV recommends creating a “space cushion” to give drivers in front of you room to maneuver and come to a stop as needed. It ranges between two and four seconds, depending on the speed you are traveling at. To figure out the appropriate amount of time, count the number of seconds it takes you to reach a fixed landmark from the time a car passes it in front of you.
For example, suppose you use a traffic sign in the distance to figure out your space cushion while traveling at 55 miles per hour. You would want at least four seconds to elapse before you eventually pass the sign. If you reach the sign before the four seconds pass, adjust.
The goal is to “make sure there is enough room ahead of your vehicle and behind it for other vehicles to pass or stop safely.” Following too closely makes it harder to react to hazards that arise while driving. If the car in front of you must stop quickly but you haven’t given them enough space, you can end up in a rear end crash.
Sudden Stops
Sometimes, drivers must make sudden stops. Of course, if the driver in a following vehicle isn’t expecting the stop, it may lead to a collision. Reasons for making sudden stops include pedestrians crossing the road, unexpected objects blocking the roadway, and mechanical problems. Sudden stops are often unpredictable and unpreventable, so we must do our best to think ahead.
Proving Liability in a Rear End Accident Case
Sometimes, it is easy to prove who was responsible for a rear end collision. For example, in cases involving distracted driving and following too closely, the onus may be on the driver who rammed into the car in front of them. It may be that they were texting while at the wheel or simply didn’t give enough space to account for sudden stops. Either way, they are likely to bear the brunt of liability.
Damages Available in Rear End Accidents
If you prove the at-fault party’s responsibility for your rear end accident, you may be entitled to significant legal compensation for your injuries and losses. The damages you may be eligible for following a rear end collision include:
- Economic damages – These are quantifiable monetary losses, including medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and future medical costs.
- Non-economic damages – These are non-monetary losses that are more subjective and difficult to quantify, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and lowered quality of life.
- Punitive damages – These damages are awarded to punish defendants for particularly egregious conduct and to deter others from engaging in similar behavior. Not all personal injury cases qualify for punitive damages, but they can significantly raise the value of your claim if available.
How Much Time Do I Have to File a Claim?
Keep in mind that the statute of limitations starts ticking on the date of your accident. In Virginia, you normally have two years to file your lawsuit. If you don’t file on time, your case will most likely be dismissed in court. Do not wait to consult with an attorney. A car accident lawyer at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers can help.
Choose the Car Crash Experts at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers
The award-winning rear end collision attorneys at Cooper Hurley Injury Lawyers have secured tens of millions in settlements and verdicts for our clients. We know what it takes to prove liability in a Virginia car accident claim, and you can count on us to give your case the utmost care and attention it deserves.
To explore your legal options, schedule a free case evaluation with a skilled rear end collision lawyer in Virginia today. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
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