St. Louis Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer
A St. Louis rear-end accident lawyer can help you recover the compensation that you deserve for your injuries. Rear-end motor vehicle collisions are an everyday occurrence. While some of these crashes have only minor effects, others can result in severe injuries to drivers and passengers alike. If you sustained injuries as a result of a backside auto crash, there may be legal avenues available to you for recovering compensation. This compensation may assist you in rebuilding your life following a severe motor vehicle accident.
A seasoned rear-end car wreck attorney may be able to investigate the circumstances that led to your wreck and evaluate liability in your case. A St. Louis County rear-end car accident lawyer could help you mount the most substantial possible personal injury claim to seek damages for the losses that you have sustained as a result of the accident.
Common Causes of Rear-End Car Crashes
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, rear-end car accidents most commonly occur when drivers fail to maintain a safe distance between themselves and the vehicles directly ahead of them. Some of the reasons that drivers fail to leave adequate distance in front of them may include:
- Distraction due to texting or cell phone use;
- Speeding or traveling too fast for conditions, or tailgating;
- Not paying attention to an abrupt stop of the vehicle in front of them;
- Impairment by drugs or alcohol that slows reaction times.
All these situations can easily lead to rear-end collisions, which often result in severe injuries and property damage. Fortunately for injury victims, determining fault in rear-end collisions for civil liability purposes is usually straightforward. Under Missouri law, drivers of the following or trailing car in rear-end collisions typically are at fault for these crashes, even if the first driver suddenly stops short.
However, some rear-end accidents may be more complicated. When a chain reaction sets off multiple rear-end accidents or when drivers know that their brake lights are not functional, more than one driver may be partially at fault for the accident. In these cases, getting the guidance of a rear-end car accident lawyer in St. Louis County may be vital.
Injuries Resulting from Rear-End Collisions
In rear-end accidents, injured parties may experience injuries from whiplash or a neck injury that may be extremely painful and debilitating. When a sudden impact throws the head back and forth forcefully, and in a rapid motion, muscles and ligaments may stretch beyond the normal range of motion and cause tearing of the soft tissue. Whiplash also may cause damage to the bones and disks between neck vertebrae.
Although the headrests or restraints in automobiles are designed to help prevent the worst effects of whiplash, they may not avoid it altogether. In addition, if the headrest is not correctly adjusted to the height of the occupant, it may be ineffective in mitigating the outcome of any injuries.
Aside from whiplash, other injuries that may occur from rear-end collisions can include back injuries, traumatic brain injuries from the head hitting a steering wheel or dashboard, and airbag injuries. Although airbags are a safety feature, they could also cause physical injuries in a violent rear-end collision. Since some of these injuries may be permanently disabling, a personal injury claim may result from these accidents against potentially liable drivers. However, before taking legal action, injured parties should consult with a rear-end auto crash attorney in St. Louis for help with building an injury claim.
Talk to a St. Louis County Rear-End Car Accident Attorney
If you are receiving constant medical bills, losing income due to being off work, and trying to recover from the trauma of an accident, you are likely to be experiencing stress about your financial, physical, and emotional health. As a result, obtaining compensation during this period in your life can be crucial to your well-being.
Acquiring the assistance of a St. Louis County rear-end car accident lawyer can be crucial to protecting your rights to money when you have suffered injuries in a motor vehicle crash. You may have a limited time in which to file your claims under Missouri law. Consulting legal counsel as quickly as possible following a collision may be advisable. With legal advice, you can ensure that you do not miss out on your chance to hold other drivers accountable for their negligent acts.