Brooklyn Rear End Car Accident Lawyer
Injured in a Rear End Accident?
All car accidents are unfortunate events and while most collisions are minor and leave both vehicles with little or no damage, there are many that will lead to major injuries. Rear end accidents carry some special dangers that most drivers rarely take the time to worry about. For one thing, unlike many other accidents, in a rear end collision the driver and passengers in the lead car usually have no warning at all before being struck from behind, which exposes them to more severe injury, especially from whiplash.
In addition some vehicle safety features, specifically airbags, are not as effective in protecting the occupants when a collision comes from behind. Rear end accidents can also lead directly to more dangerous situations, by forcing the lead car off the road, by causing a rollover, or by forcing the lead car through a signal or into another lane and into oncoming traffic.
You might think that rear end collisions don’t happen very often, but the National Highway Safety Administration estimates that 28% of all highway collisions are read-end accidents. That’s the single largest category among all vehicle accidents – around 2½ million annually. Another report shows that a whopping 94% of rear end collisions happen on straight roads, that most are direct hits, and that more than three-quarters happen at speeds of 10 mph or less.
There are several laws on the books in New York State that are pertinent to rear end accidents, the most important being section 1129(a) of the traffic code: “Following too closely…The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent”. Because of this regulation, a driver who rear-ends another is assumed to be at fault. In addition to following too closely, rear end collisions can be caused by speeding, reckless driving, operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or driving while distracted (such as using a cell phone or texting).
In rare cases, however, you might be the rear driver and be able to prove that the accident was caused by the front driver’s negligence. Whichever side of the accident you’re on, bringing in a Brooklyn rear end accident attorney to help with your case is a sensible decision. We have the knowledge and the resources to make sure that each case is properly investigated and appropriately pursued.
Rearend accidents can result in the same kinds of injuries as other vehicle accidents, but they have a greater chance of causing certain types of injury, including:
- Cervical spine injuries (including whiplash)
- Lumbar spine soft tissue injuries (including herniated discs)
- Brain and spinal cord injuries
- Head injuries and facial lacerations
An Attorney in Brooklyn who stays on top of rear end accidents
It’s a common misconception that rear end accident cases are uncomplicated and easy to resolve. Some practicing accident attorneys actually find them to be among the most difficult cases to settle. The expenses victims have to deal with can include medical bills, physical damage, lost wages, rehab and therapy, and others. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear end collision, consult with Kuharski, Levitz, & Giovinazzo to discover how we can help.
See Also: To Find a Experienced Crosswalk Injury Lawyer, Click here.