Rear-End Collisions In DC

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost 30% of car crashes are rear-end collisions. Rear-end accidents are responsible for many serious injuries and fatal accidents each year in DC and throughout the country. While most rear-end accidents are not deadly, they can result in serious injuries that can stay with the victim for the rest of their lives. Many of these injuries can be difficult for doctors to diagnose, leaving victims fighting with the insurance company to get compensation for their injuries.

What Causes Most Rear-End Accidents?

Most rear-end accidents occur when a driver following another vehicle fails to stop in time, crashing into the rear of the vehicle in front. This can be caused by the driver not paying attention, driving while intoxicated, distracted driving, drowsy driving, tailgating, or having bad breaks. Rainy or icy road conditions may also increase the likelihood of a rear-end collision. However, the driver in the rear is not always at fault. Some rear-end accidents are also caused on purpose in insurance scam accidents.

Other rear-end collisions are caused by vehicle defects, including unintended acceleration. A number of vehicles have been plagued with complaints that the driver suddenly loses control of the vehicle and are unable to stop accelerating or make the vehicle come to a stop. This problem happened with a number of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Some of the problems occurred with floor mat design defects. Drivers were unable to stop their cars in time, and many ended up in rear-end collisions.

The NHTSA has identified rear-end collisions as a potential area of improved safety with the use of crash avoidance technology. Technologies like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), pre-braking systems, and automatic sensors to detect approaching vehicles is becoming increasingly common in new vehicles. These systems may help reduce the number of rear-end collision and make the roads safer.

Rear-End Accident Injuries

Anyone who has been in a rear-end collision knows that the injuries involved can be very deceptive. Whiplash and related injuries may have no immediate effects. After an accident, the driver may get out of the car and be more concerned about the damage to the vehicle than their own injuries. They may think they were unharmed and drive away from the accident to go back to work or to go home. However, days later, they may realize the true impact of the accident.

Many neck, back, head, spinal, and soft tissue injuries take hours or days for individuals to notice how seriously they were injured. The driver or passenger may feel nothing right after the accident, then a couple of days later they may be in serious pain or unable to get out of bed. If there is any chance that you were injured in a car accident you should seek medical attention.

Some signs to look for after a rear-end collision include neck or back pain, stiffness or difficulty moving, numbness or tingling, headaches, or blurred vision. These may be a sign that the injury is more serious than previously thought. Early diagnosis and treatment may reduce the likelihood of serious injury.

One of the most frustrating experiences drivers can face is an insurance company that does not believe their injuries. This is especially common with complicated injuries involving neck or spinal trauma. These injuries can be difficult for doctors to accurately diagnose and treat. Treatments may have little impact on improving the patient’s condition, and the doctor will be left prescribing heavy painkillers to manage pain.

However, if the insurance company has the injured driver submit to one of their own doctors for a so-called “independent medical examination,” the other doctor may suddenly find that injury is not so severe. This can affect how much compensation the injured driver will receive. If the insurance company is resistant to fulfilling your claim or only offers a portion of your damages, you may want to contact an attorney. Your DC accident attorneys will deal with the insurance company and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Washington DC Rear-End Accident Attorneys

If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear-end accident, the law firm of Gilman & Bedigian is here to help. It takes time to recover from a rear-end neck or back injury, and you should not have to deal with the stress of fighting with the insurance company. Our attorneys have years of experience dealing with automobile accident cases throughout the Washington Metropolitan area. We will fight for your rights to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation.