Rear end collisions are sudden and unexpected and have the ability to cause catastrophic damages. While the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration advises drivers to utilize defensive driving techniques in order to hopefully avoid car accidents, it is imperative that drivers keep their eyes on the road ahead of them. As such, it is unlikely that you will be able to detect a rear end collision before it happens and prevent it from occurring, even with the most skilled and cautious driving.
Rear end collisions cause extreme damage to vehicles and most often result in cars being declared totaled by car insurance companies. In addition, rear end collisions can cause severe and debilitating injuries and even death. If you were the victim of a rear end car accident, you can seek compensation for your damages and injuries from the at-fault driver. Kaiser Romanello is a boutique personal injury law firm headquartered in Parkland, Florida that provides state-of-the-art technology, personalized representation, and aggressive advocacy for victims of rear end collisions. Kaiser Romanello is home of the Injury Claim Optimizer, a proprietary claims system designed by our personal injury attorneys that maximizes the value of your claim. Kaiser Romanello also provides free consultations on car accident injuries to victims located throughout the state of Florida. To schedule an appointment to speak with one of our injury attorneys, contact Kaiser Romanello today.
REAR END COLLISION STATISTICS
Rear end collisions are responsible for 30% of all car crashes. 6% of licensed drivers are involved in a car accident each year, and 36% of these involved a rear end crash. Rear end crashes cause 30% of all car accident injuries and 29.7% of all property damages. The vast majority of rear end collisions involve teenagers. Though teenagers make up only 2% of all drivers on the road, 19.6% of teenagers will be involved in a rear end collision each year. In addition, males (60.2%) were more likely to be involved in rear end crashes than females (39.8%).
NEGLIGENCE
The vast majority of rear end collisions are caused by driver negligence. Negligence is the legal term for carelessness. The elements of negligence include:
- Duty of care: The driver who struck your car owed you a duty of care to follow traffic laws and drive in a safe and cautious manner.
- Breach: The driver breached that duty of care by driving carelessly or recklessly, such as by driving under the influence, speeding, making an improper lane change, or running a red light.
- Causation: The driver’s carelessness caused the rear-end collision.
- Injuries: As a result of the crash, you suffered injuries.
All drivers on Florida roadways owe a legal duty of care to other drivers, as well as pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists. Therefore, the vast majority of personal injury litigation focuses on causation. Often times, at-fault drivers attempt to share blame by alleging that the plaintiff was partially responsible for the accident. However, Florida negligence law permits plaintiffs to bring personal injury claims against defendants even if the plaintiff is 99% at fault. This is known as pure comparative fault.
COMMON INJURIES
Common damages sustained in a rear-end collision include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal injuries
- Blunt force trauma
- Broken bones
- Lacerations
- Bruising
- Amputations
- Neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Death
These serious injuries can lead to a lifetime of pain and endless doctors’ office visits. In addition, treatment for these injuries can be incredibly costly. Florida law shifts the burden of bearing the brunt of these costs to the defendant.
TYPES OF COMPENSATION FOR REAR END COLLISIONS
Florida negligence law is designed to make victims whole. Florida drivers are required by state law to maintain car insurance at state-mandated minimum levels. When a rear end collision occurs, the at-fault driver’s car insurance company is responsible for covering the costs of the damages, up to the driver’s limits. For any damages exceeding the limits, the at-fault driver is responsible for reimbursing the victim out-of-pocket.
Victims can seek compensation for:
- Lost past and future wages due to injury
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
- Attorney’s fees and court costs
- Punitive damages
In addition, if the rear end collision results in death, the survivors of the deceased will be able to seek reimbursement for medical expenses and funeral expenses, as well as compensation for lost financial support, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
CONSULT WITH A FLORIDA INJURY LAWYER
Following a rear end collision, you may face mounting medical bills and concerns with paying your expenses as the pain and injury may keep you from working. Kaiser Romanello can help you with pursuing compensation for your injuries. Kaiser Romanello, headquartered in Parkland, Florida, assists personal injury clients in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, as well as the entire state of Florida. Consult with one of our experienced personal injury lawyers for free! Contact Kaiser Romanello today to schedule an appointment.
