Rear-End Accident Attorney in Denver
It’s frustrating when you’re involved in a car accident because of circumstances beyond your control. That is typically the case when you’re in a rear-end accident. You might have been obeying traffic rules, only to have another driver who was distracted or following too closely plow into you from behind. Rear-end car accidents also lead to painful injuries, expensive medical bills, and loss of income while you recover.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a rear-end accident in the Denver area, contact a car accident attorney at The Wilhite Law Firm today. Our Denver rear-end accident lawyers have more than 40 years of experience handling personal injury claims. We’ll work with you to identify who is liable for your injuries and help you pursue fair compensation. Get started today by calling our Denver office or visiting our contact page for a free initial consultation.
What Are the Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions?
Some of the common reasons that rear-end crashes occur include:
- Distracted driving– A driver who is talking on the phone, reading a text message, looking at a navigation device, or otherwise distracted has their eyes and attention off the road. A distracted driver may not realize that a vehicle in front has slowed or stopped, making a rear-end collision more likely.
- Driving while fatigued – A driver who has had inadequate sleep may have difficulty concentrating on the road and have slower reaction times, increasing their chances of being involved in a rear-end accident.
- Following too closely – The closer an automobile is to the vehicle in front of it, the less time and space a driver has to react if the vehicle ahead stops suddenly. Unfortunately, many drivers follow too closely, leaving them little margin for error and making a rear-end collision more likely.
- Speeding – Drivers who are speeding leave themselves a slim margin for error. The higher the speed, the greater the distance required to stop and the less time a driver has to react to avoid a crash. Speeding also increases the odds of serious injuries in a collision.
- Reckless/aggressive driving – Other aggressive or reckless driving behaviors besides speeding also can lead to an accident. These include stopping short suddenly, aggressive turns and lane changes, failing to check blind spots, and failing to yield the right-of-way.
- Drug or alcohol abuse– Alcohol, illegal narcotics, and some prescription medications can impair a driver’s judgment and reflexes and affect the driver’s performance in many ways. An impaired driver may fail to recognize that vehicles ahead have stopped at a traffic signal and hit them from behind.
- Poor weather conditions – Rain, snow, ice, and sleet can make roads slick and increase a vehicle’s stopping distance. If a driver doesn’t reduce their speed in adverse weather to allow for greater stopping distances, the driver may end up plowing into the back of a stopped vehicle in front of them despite their attempt to brake.
- Mechanical defects –If you or another driver has a brake failure or other mechanical defect at the wrong moment, it may be impossible to avoid a rear-end collision.
What Are Common Injuries Experienced in Rear-End Accidents?
While some rear-end car accidents result in relatively minor injuries that heal in days or weeks, many rear-end car accidents lead to significant bodily harm, including injuries such as:
- Neck and back injuries, including whiplash
- Lacerations and bruises
- Soft tissue injuries
- Broken bones and cracked ribs
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder
What Are Some of the Costs of a Rear-End Wreck?
Depending on the severity of the injuries, the costs of a rear-end accident can be quite substantial. In addition to repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle, some of the other costs associated with a rear-end collision:
- Medical bills – If you’re transported from the scene of the crash to a hospital, the ambulance ride alone may cost several thousand dollars. Once you’re at the hospital, you can quickly accumulate thousands of dollars in bills if you are admitted. Depending on the nature of your injuries, you may need physical therapy after the accident, which may last for months. The medical costs can be substantial.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity – If you miss a few weeks of work after a rear-end accident, that’s time away from your job that you most likely won’t be paid for or will have to use leave time to cover. If your injuries lead to a long-term or permanent disability, your ability to earn a living may be severely diminished, which will impact your finances for years to come.
- The psychological toll – A car accident is a frightening, potentially traumatic experience, especially if you sustain serious injuries in the crash. Many car accident victims experience intense psychological strain for months after the accident itself, such as increased anxiety, depression, mood swings, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These psychological injuries can take an even greater toll on your life than your physical injuries.
Contact Our Denver Rear-End Crash Attorneys for Help Today
You don’t have to bear the burden of putting your life back together after an accident by yourself. While you recuperate, a Denver rear-end accident attorney can work on your behalf to help you get fair compensation for your injuries.
Our attorneys can help identify who is liable for your injuries, gather evidence to support your case, deal with insurance companies, and work to negotiate a reasonable settlement. If settlement negotiations fail, we’ll be fully prepared to go to trial to press your case for fair compensation.
Don’t wait to talk to an experienced car accident attorney with The Wilhite Law Firm. Call our Denver office today or visit our contact page for a free initial consultation.
