Rear-End Collision Attorney in Las Vegas

Rear-end crashes are often dismissed as insignificant. In addition, people often assume that the rear driver is always to blame for these collisions. But that’s not always the case. At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, our Las Vegas rear-end car accident lawyers understand that there may be more to these wrecks than meets the eye. If you’ve been hurt, we’re here to help fight for maximum compensation for you.

Learn more about your legal rights by scheduling a free consultation with our proven rear-end collision attorneys today. Call or contact us now.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents almost always happen because drivers aren’t paying attention or practicing safe driving behaviors. Common causes of rear-end collisions include:

• Distracted driving: This is perhaps the top cause of rear-end collisions today. If a person is texting or talking on the phone while driving, they may not see that the vehicle in front of them is slowing or has come to a stop. Talking to passengers and children in the back seat, eating and drinking, or applying makeup are other distracted-driving activities that can lead to rear-end accidents in Las Vegas.
• Following too closely: When a rear driver tailgates another car, there is little time to brake to avoid a crash if the driver in front needs to stop suddenly. You should maintain at least one car’s length of distance for every 10 miles per hour a car is traveling. For example, if you are traveling 60 miles per hour, you should maintain six cars’ lengths worth of distance between your car and the vehicle ahead of you.
• Stopping without cause: Drivers who stop for no apparent reason may make it impossible for the rear vehicle to avoid crashing into them. This is especially true if the stop occurs around a bend or turn in the road, where the leading vehicle cannot be seen in advance.
• Vehicle defects: While less common, vehicle defects are another reason that rear-end collisions happen. Examples of vehicle defects that may lead to crashes include: Defective rear brake lights, Defective brakes, and/or Tire blowouts
• Aggressive driving: In some cases, the actions of both drivers contribute to a rear-end collision. Consider a situation in which the rear driver is following too closely for the front driver’s comfort. Irritated, the leading driver starts tapping the brakes in an effort to get the other motorist to back off. If this back-and-forth form of aggressive driving continues, a rear-end accident can occur.

Injuries from Rear-End Collisions

The severity of injuries sustained in a rear-end collision depend on a variety of factors, such as the type and size of the vehicles involved, the speed they were traveling at the time of the collision, and whether the occupants were wearing seat belts, among others. Common injuries from rear-end crashes include:

• Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: Whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries after a rear-end collision. A whiplash injury occurs when the head is snapped back and forth rapidly after impact. Whiplash can range from mild to severe. A mild case may be treated in a few days or weeks with rest and mobility exercises. A more severe case could require more intensive treatment and may take months or years to heal.
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI): A traumatic brain injury occurs when the head is hit with tremendous force, subjected to violent rotational forces, or when the skull is penetrated by an outside object. A traumatic brain injury can also result from whiplash. If the neck is whipped back and forth, the brain may slam into the skull both on the front and back sides, leading to widespread damage.
• Facial injuries: Trauma to the face is common in rear-end collisions after the airbags deploy. While airbags prevent the body from colliding violently into the steering wheel and dashboard, they can also cause facial bruising and even broken bones. The effects can be painful and disfiguring.
• Spinal cord injuries: The spinal cord is one of the body’s most essential parts. It is responsible for relaying messages between the brain and the rest of the body. If the spinal cord is damaged, the ability to transmit messages may be interrupted. This can result in temporary or permanent paralysis.
• Cuts and lacerations: Broken glass and debris from inside or outside the vehicle can cause cuts of varying severity after a rear-end accident.

It’s important to remember that car accident injuries may extend beyond bodily harm. Many people suffer from psychological disorders following a wreck, such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and depression.

At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, we know the financial and emotional toll that car accidents can take on their victims. Our Las Vegas rear-end collision attorneys will seek a full and fair settlement that accounts for all of your losses, including medical expenses, rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and more.

What to Do After Being Rear-Ended in Las Vegas

Knowing what to do if you are rear-ended (or rear-end someone else) is important to protect your rights and any future legal claim you may choose to make. Here’s what you need to know after a Las Vegas car crash:

• Stop your vehicle and check for injuries: If you are involved in a rear-end accident in Las Vegas, you are required by law to stop your vehicle. Pull over to a safe location and make sure that everyone involved in the crash is OK, including the occupants of the other car. Call 911 if there are emergency injuries.
• Exchange information with the other driver: Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, vehicle information, and driver’s license number.
• File a police report: Even if you don’t think that anyone has been seriously injured, you need to file a police report. Make sure you request a copy of the report for your records.
• Gather evidence at the scene: If your injuries do not prevent you from doing so, collect as much evidence as you can from the accident scene. Take photos and videos of the vehicles involved, including their points of impact and the angles that they ended up in. Also get shots of skid marks, broken glass, or other physical evidence that might explain what happened. If witnesses are present, get their names and contact information.
• Get medical care: You should seek medical care as soon as possible after your car accident, even if you feel fine. Medical care is important to rule out other injuries and ensure proper treatment, but it’s also important because getting medical care early on also establishes a causal link between the accident and your injuries.
• Check your car insurance policy: The deadline for notifying insurers of crashes varies from policy to policy. Look at yours to see when the company must be notified of the collision. Failure to meet the deadline could result in your claim being denied.
• Contact a rear-end accident lawyer in Las Vegas: Your accident will need to be reported to your insurance company as soon as possible. However, you must be extremely careful about what you say. Talking to an attorney before notifying the insurer can protect your claim and prevent you from accidentally saying something that could jeopardize your ability to collect a settlement. Once you hire THE 702FIRM Injury Attorneys, our lawyers can handle all communications with the insurance company for you.

A Las Vegas rear-end collision attorney can also help you understand the personal injury process, investigate your case, prove fault, and negotiate a settlement that meets your needs and goals.

Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?

When a car accident occurs in Las Vegas, establishing fault for the crash will be based on proving negligence. Whoever acted negligently, or without the proper degree of care, will be at fault and responsible for paying for any resulting damages.

While there is often an assumption that the rear driver in a rear-end collision is to blame, there are plenty of times when other drivers or outside factors contribute to a crash. In order to determine fault for a rear-end collision, a thorough investigation must be conducted to identify who is responsible.

Keep in mind that more than one party may be to blame in a rear-end collision. That’s OK. You may still be entitled to compensation. It all depends on how fault is assigned.

Nevada law determines fault through a rule called comparative negligence. It’s very specific and could make or break your injury claim, so it’s essential to know what it means and how it applies to your case.

Under comparative negligence, you can still be awarded compensation as long as you are 50 percent or less at fault for your accident. However, if you are deemed even one percentage point more to blame, you cannot receive any money at all.

Because the success of your claim hinges on being assigned a fair portion of fault, it’s critical to work with an experienced Las Vegas rear-end accident lawyer who can ensure that you are not unfairly blamed.

Legal Actions After a Rear-End Collision

Following a car accident, you may have several options for pursuing compensation. You may:

• File a claim against the at-fault driver’s liability insurance policy: This is the most common course of action and the usual way of recovering compensation. After a claim is filed, an insurance adjuster will investigate the claim and make a determination about fault and damages.
• File a claim with your own insurer: In Nevada, all drivers are required to carry liability insurance. They are also able to elect other coverage types, such as collision coverage, uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and medical payments coverage. If you purchased any of these optional coverages, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses that way.
• File a lawsuit directly against the at-fault party: This is usually a last-resort option that is pursued only after a claim has been filed with an insurance company and settlement negotiations have failed.

The vast majority of car accident cases resolve with a settlement long before it reaches court. At THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys, our lawyers always aim to reach a settlement first. However, we won’t hesitate to file a lawsuit if we believe that’s the best way to obtain maximum compensation for you.

How Can THE702FIRM Injury Attorneys Help Me?

Our legal team will:

• Lead an independent investigation of your case to determine what happened and who should be held accountable
• Represent you in all discussions with the insurance adjuster
• Obtain the evidence necessary to prove fault and prevent you from being assigned an unfair portion of blame
• Build a strong case that shows the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life
• Demand full and fair compensation during settlement negotiations
• Respond promptly to your emails and phone calls
• Charge no fees unless we obtain a settlement or verdict for you

There’s no harm in calling to arrange a free consultation with one of our rear-end accident lawyers. All initial case reviews are free, and there’s no obligation.

Call a Las Vegas Rear-End Accident Lawyer Today

Ready to get started? Call or contact us now. If you are unable to travel to our office, we can come to you. Evening and weekend appointments are available on request.