Illinois Read-End Collision Lawyers

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents in Illinois

A rear-end accident happens when one vehicle’s front end collides with another vehicle’s back end. Most of the time, the back vehicle collides with the car in front. But some rear-end collisions happen when the car in front backs into the other vehicle.

Sometimes, the driver of the front vehicle slams on the brakes. This causes the driver behind them to not have enough time or distance to avoid the accident.

Rear-end accidents may also be caused by broken or missing brake lights on the car in front of you.

Liability after a rear-end accident isn’t always clear. That is why you owe it to yourself to talk to an Illinois rear-end collision attorney.

How a Rear-end Accident Lawyer Helps You

You could demand compensation if someone else caused the accident and your injuries. We’re here to help you get the most from your claim. We investigate, gather evidence, and build a strong case. We want you to walk away with as much as possible.

You may secure compensation for your past and future:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Disfigurement
• Disability
• Reduced earning potential
• Lower quality of life
• Loss of consortium

The Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C., frequently recover compensation for our clients by negotiating a fair insurance settlement. If negotiations fall through, we can take your case to court.

How Much Is a Rear-End Accident Claim Worth?

Every car accident claim is unique. How much your case is worth depends on several factors, including your out-of-pocket expenses, the severity of your injuries, and your future medical needs and lost wages. We consider all of this and more when we calculate the value of your case.

Talk to Us Before Accepting Any Offer

It takes time to understand your damages and how much they’re worth. You might be recuperating for several months. We recommend talking with an attorney before accepting a quick settlement offer.

If an insurer is offering you a settlement within weeks of the crash, it’s probably less than you deserve. We’ll carefully review your damages and the offer. We can tell you if it’s fair or whether you should fight for more.

What if the Rear-End Crash Was Fatal?

Rear-end crashes can be deadly. If you lost a loved one, talk with us about what comes next. We’ll explain the Illinois wrongful death law and who can recover compensation. Usually, the surviving spouse and children can receive a settlement or court award.

In some cases, a surviving parent or siblings can receive compensation if a loved one didn’t leave behind a spouse or child.

Rear-End Crashes Are Common & Dangerous

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 32% of crashes were rear-end collisions in 2018. Despite 2,175,000 of those rear-end accidents primarily only causing property damage, 594,000 included injuries. Also, 2,439 of those rear-end accidents were fatal.

The Faster the Vehicle, the Worse the Injuries

Several factors influence whether a rear-end accident is annoying or devastating. Speed is a major factor. The faster the vehicle that causes the collision is moving, the more likely the passengers in the other vehicle will suffer injuries even when using seatbelts and airbags.

We highly recommend you don’t ignore your pain or downplay your injuries after a rear-end collision in Illinois. See a doctor right away and get a diagnosis. If your pain or symptoms get worse, don’t hesitate to go back to the doctor. You must document your injuries if you want to maximize your potential compensation.

Whiplash After a Rear-End Accident

Whiplash is a common injury after a rear-end collision. The force of the impact causes a person’s head and neck to move back and forth quickly, like the cracking of a whip.

A mild case of whiplash is considered a neck sprain or strain. According to the Mayo Clinic, common symptoms of whiplash include:

• Neck pain and stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Headaches
• Tenderness in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms
• Tingling or numbness in the arms
• Dizziness
• Fatigue

Most people recover from whiplash within a few weeks with rest, pain management, and careful exercise. However, some rear-end accident victims suffer from severe injuries, such as a herniated disc in their neck or back, concussion, or traumatic brain injury.

Herniated Discs After a Rear-End Accident

A herniated disc occurs when the soft, jelly-like center of the disc pushes out through the tough, outer ring. Herniated discs are common after a car accident or fall. They may become a severe medical issue when they press on a nerve, damaging the nerve and causing intense pain. This type of injury is known as a slipped disc or ruptured disc.

Symptoms of a herniated disc can vary but frequently includes:

• Pain and discomfort in your neck or back
• Numbness or tingling down your arm or legs
• Muscle weakness

If you suffer a herniated disc in your neck, you’re more likely to feel symptoms in your shoulders, arms, and hands. A herniated disc lower in your back is more likely to affect your torso, legs, and feet.

Surgery may be necessary to treat a herniated disc, which is why it’s essential to see a doctor. Your physician might recommend non-invasive treatments at first. If these treatments do not relieve your symptoms, surgery might be the only way to avoid permanent nerve damage and chronic pain.

Head Injuries After a Rear-End Accident

Rear-end accidents also cause head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries can be life-threatening if there is brain swelling or bleeding. A concussion is a mild TBI. Some rear-end accident victims also suffer a skull fracture.

A doctor can determine the severity of a concussion or TBI. The Glasgow Coma Scale calculates your score based on your verbal, optical, and motor responses. The higher your score, the milder your TBI, which is likely to mean a full recovery. The lower your score, the more severe the TBI. Severe TBIs can lead to coma, vegetative state, and death.

Many car accident victims recover from concussions in a few weeks or months. However, moderate-to-severe TBIs frequently cause long-term complications. You or your loved one may experience a permanent disability, mental health issues, and personality changes.

We consider all these factors and more when we handle your rear-end accident claim. Your future medical needs are an essential part of your settlement or court award.

Who Is Responsible In a Rear-End Crash?

To recover compensation for rear-end accident injuries, you have to prove the other driver was negligent. That requires gathering and using evidence to show the driver was careless, caused the crash, and caused your injuries. Sometimes this is a straightforward process. It can also be challenging. Our Illinois rear end collision lawyers drill down to the facts so we can begin pursuing compensation for you.

We immediately investigate the rear-end accident and gather evidence of:

• The police report
• Photos of the crash scene
• Any surveillance, traffic, or dash camera footage
• Witness statements
• An accident reconstruction expert’s opinion

Not every car accident case needs an accident reconstruction expert. We’re more likely to hire an expert if the other driver is blaming you for the crash or there are several vehicles involved.

Does the Other Driver Blame You?

Some rear-end accident claims get contentious. We’re ready for the possibility that the other driver blames you, and their insurer denies your claim. Don’t panic if this has happened to you. Call us right away to talk about what comes next. We can appeal a denied claim and fight back against allegations of negligence.

You can still recover compensation as long as you were less than half to blame. Under Illinois modified comparative fault law, you can receive compensation if you’re 50% or less responsible, although it will be reduced accordingly.

Get a Free Consult With an Illinois Rear-End Collision Attorney

Many rear-end accident victims assume they’ll deal with insurance, get a settlement, and move on. Unfortunately, many of them learn it isn’t that easy. The other driver might blame you, the insurer could deny your claim, or the insurer might try to push you to accept a lowball settlement offer. You deserve to have someone fight for you and what you deserve.

Staver Accident Injury Lawyers, P.C. has recovered millions of dollars in damages for 3,500 clients. We are ready to help you maximize your compensation after a rear-end accident. Contact us online or call (312) 236-2900 for your free, no-obligation consultation.