St. Charles Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer
It is easy to assume that when a person suffers injuries after being rear-ended that they are not at fault for an accident. However, the location of contact on a person’s vehicle is never a definitive answer to questions of fault in a car accident. The law requires courts to evaluate the actions of all parties in an accident to assign blame.
These facts can lead many unrepresented plaintiffs in rear-end car accidents to disappointing results in their claims for compensation. Defendants and their insurance companies will fight to protect their wallets and may try to shift blame onto plaintiffs following a collision. This can result in a reduced settlement offer that leaves an injured party in debt for an accident that was not their fault.
A St. Charles rear-end car accident lawyer may be able to help you pursue a claim for its full value. A skilled attorney can conduct a thorough investigation of the accident to gather the necessary evidence needed to prove defendant liability. Using this evidence, they can promote a claim that helps to gather the compensation needed to set things right.
Proving Liability in a Rear-End Auto Accident
A rear-end car accident describes any scenario where the point of contact on a plaintiff’s car is the back end of the vehicle. This can include scenarios that involve getting hit from behind by another car or even situations where a plaintiff backs into another vehicle. As a result, the fact that the impact occurred on the rear of a plaintiff’s car is never definitive proof of defendant fault.
Plaintiffs in all car accident cases must take care to gather evidence that names a defendant as the liable party. This can include obtaining a police report, talking with third party witnesses, and following the steps needed to get traffic camera footage.
How Does a Driver’s Negligence Factor into These Cases?
Ultimately, it is necessary to show that a defendant’s carelessness or recklessness was the source of the incident. This can be the result of breaking traffic law such as by tailgating or speeding. In other situations, a defendant is liable because of texting while driving or becoming distracted by food or drink. A St. Charles rear-end car accident lawyer could help to gather the evidence needed to show that a defendant was the sole party liable for the collision.
What are the Consequences of Rear-End Collisions in St. Charles?
A rear-end impact can place great strain on a person’s body. Suffering a hit from behind can affect a person’s neck, back, shoulders, and hips. High-speed collisions can even force a person’s head to hit the steering wheel or windshield. Wearing a seatbelt can also help to limit these injuries, but rear-end collisions rarely result in the deployment of airbags.
As a result, it is not uncommon for people in rear-end accidents to suffer life-altering injuries. These can include:
- Broken bones
- Ligament damage in the shoulders
- Slipped disks in the back
- Neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Traumatic brain injuries
These incidents can affect every portion of a person’s life. Although it is true that a physical injury forms the core of the claim, and the case cannot progress without evidence of a harm. Even so, the resulting economic losses from being unable to work can be substantial. Additionally, an injury may inflict intense emotional anguish and loss of quality of life. A St. Charles attorney could help a person to measure their losses to demand appropriate payments from at-fault defendants responsible for a rear-end car accident.
Speak with a St. Charles Rear-End Car Accident Attorney Today
Rear-end car accident claims can be surprisingly complicated. While it may appear that when a person suffers a blow to the rear of their car that the trailing driver is to blame, courts must evaluate the actions of all parties and can assign blame on a sliding scale. This can result in a reduced settlement offer or verdict at trial if you cannot prove that a defendant was entirely to blame for the collision.
A rear-end accident attorney can work diligently to protect your legal rights following an accident. They can help to explain the relevant laws, gather evidence from the scene of the collision, and even talk to witnesses to build a powerful case against the defendant driver. An attorney can also help you to file a claim within five years of the accident as required under Missouri Statute §516.120. Contact a St. Charles rear-end car accident lawyer today to give yourself a better chance for success.