Boulder Rear-End Accident Lawyer
Rear-end accidents frequently happen on Colorado’s streets, roads, and highways. In Boulder, university students, visitors, and residents contribute to year-round traffic congestion. Many rear-end crashes on Boulder’s streets occur due to negligence, such as driver distraction or not yielding.
If you have been injured in a rear-end collision caused by a negligent driver, you may be entitled to compensation. At The Wilhite Law Firm, our Boulder rear-end accident lawyers have more than 40 years of experience helping injury victims like you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn how we can help you get your life back on track and demand the recovery you deserve.
What Are Some Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?
Here are some of the top causes of rear-end collisions we see among the Boulder car accident cases we handle:
- Distracted driving – When a driver texts, talks on the phone, or engages in some other distraction, their full attention is not on the road. Distracted drivers are more likely to cause rear-end collisions when they don’t realize the traffic in front of them has slowed or stopped.
- Impaired driving – Alcohol, recreational drugs, and even some prescription medications can impair critical driving abilities such as depth perception and reaction time. Even the effects of extreme fatigue can be dangerous to drivers. Impaired drivers are more likely to cause rear-end wrecks when they overlook other road users, nod off behind the wheel, or brake too late.
- Following too closely – When drivers follow too closely behind others, they have less time to react to sudden stops, obstacles, or emergencies. Leaving little to no room for error increases the risk of rear-end accidents.
- Reckless driving – Reckless or aggressive drivers who speed, weave in and out of traffic, or “brake check” other vehicles are also commonly involved in rear-end accidents. These drivers allow emotions to control their actions, resulting in poor choices that contribute to wrecks.
- Vehicle defects – Defective brakes, airbags, and steering systems can all contribute to loss of driver control and subsequent rear-end crashes. Defects can result from poor maintenance or negligent manufacturing.
- Poor road conditions – Poor conditions such as slick road surfaces, inadequate drainage, or missing traffic signs can contribute to driver confusion or loss of control, both common factors in rear-end accidents. In some cases, local government agencies responsible for road maintenance may be liable for claims involving poor road conditions.
What Are Common Rear-End Collision Injuries?
A minor rear-end fender bender may result in only mild injuries that heal on their own with time. However, some rear-end crashes are serious and can result in severe injuries, such as the following:
- Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Scarring and permanent disfigurement
- Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Dislocated or fractured bones
- Traumatic amputation and loss of limb
- Bruises, burns, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other psychological and emotional trauma
What Are The Costs of Rear-End Wrecks?
Severe injuries are not the only consequence of rear-end crashes in Boulder. Though your physical pain is the most immediate concern, other serious issues may come up over time. Depending on the circumstances, rear-end accident victims may often incur the following costs:
- Expensive medical bills – Medical bills include the costs of ambulance rides, hospital stays, surgeries, outpatient doctor’s visits, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, prescriptions, medical equipment, and physical therapy. The costs of hiring home caregivers, making accessibility modifications, and traveling to all those medical appointments can quickly add up.
- Lost income and benefits – If your crash-related injuries prevent you from working, you may lose out on wages, tips, bonuses, and other job benefits.
- Lost future earning capacity – If you suffer a long-term or permanent disability due to the accident, your lifetime earning potential may decrease drastically, impacting your retirement and dependents.
- Psychological and emotional tolls – A car accident can be a terrifying and traumatic experience, especially if you are severely injured or witness someone else getting seriously hurt. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, phobias, and sleep disturbances are all common, invisible costs of car accidents.
How Is Fault Determined in a Colorado Rear-End Accident?
Like most states, Colorado follows a fault-based system when it comes to car accidents. This system allows you to seek compensation for crash-related losses from at-fault parties. The negligent party could include another driver, a car parts manufacturer, or any other party with partial or total responsibility for the wreck.
In rear-end accident cases, the default assumption is that the rear driver is usually at fault because they are expected to leave enough following distance and maintain complete control over their vehicles at all times. However, there are some cases where the leading driver or another party may be partially or totally at fault.
For instance, if a front driver “brake checked” or cut off another vehicle, they might be at fault for a resulting rear-end crash. A pedestrian or cyclist could also bear responsibility if they darted into traffic without warning. Talk to a Boulder personal injury attorney at The Wilhite Firm today.
How to Obtain Compensation for Losses After a Rear-End Car Accident?
If you were injured in a Boulder rear-end accident due to another party’s negligence, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Past and future medical costs related to your injuries
- Lost income from missed time at work
- Future losses in your lifetime earning capacity
- The intangible costs of pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- The costs of repairing or replacing a damaged vehicle
Our Boulder rear-end accident attorneys can help in this process by gathering and analyzing evidence, speaking with insurance companies on your behalf, and negotiating a fair settlement. If a reasonable settlement can’t be reached, we are ready to fight for you in court.
Contact Our Boulder Car Accident Injury Law Offices
Contact Our Boulder Rear-End Crash Attorneys Today
If you need a rear-end accident lawyer in Boulder, don’t hesitate to contact The Wilhite Law Firm. We have a proven track record of success, resulting in billions of dollars recovered for our clients. We can hold negligent parties accountable and demand compensation for your losses. Get in touch with us today for a free case review.
