This post discusses Raleigh Rear-End Collision Injuries. If you or a loved one has suffered physical and emotional injuries after a car accident that you did not cause, read on.
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What Causes Rear-End Motor Vehicle Accidents?
According to RST, rear-end crashes are a common crash type with "a failure to leave a sufficient gap to the vehicle in front, or a lack of attention" as the leading causes.
Speeding, poor pavement skid resistance, roadside activity, unstable traffic flow, driver fatigue or impairment, distraction, and poor vehicle condition can also contribute to these issues.
According to LifeSaver, if a driver is paying attention, they should have sufficient time and space to react when the vehicle in front of them stops unexpectedly, and a rear-end collision should never happen.
Using a cell phone while driving is a significant cause of distracted driving (AAAM).
Unfortunately, in North Carolina, per WRAL, distracted driving causes more crashes than speed and alcohol combined.
North Carolina Rear-End Collision Law
As discussed above, there is a presumption that if a driver is paying attention, they will have sufficient time to react and thus avoid a rear-end collision.
This presumption carries over into North Carolina Law in the legal requirement to maintain a safe following distance (N.C. Gen. State 20-152).
While there is a presumption that the rear driver is at fault for the accident, this presumption is rebuttable.
If the driver in front slams on the brakes unnecessarily or unsafely, they may be found contributorily negligent.
Contributory negligence is a bar to recovery in North Carolina.
Also see North Carolina Contributory Negligence.
What can a Raleigh rear-end collision accident victim recover?
Under North Carolina law, a victim can recover medical bills, lost wages, and damages for emotional distress (including pain & suffering).
Medical expenses include bills for EMS, emergency room visits, physical therapy, and medical equipment.
Severe injuries with longer recovery times will likely entail compensation for future medical expenses, lost wages, and psychological injuries.
It logically follows that the more traumatic the accident, the greater the injuries, but that is not always the case.
While rear-end accidents may not seem as serious as head-on collisions or sideswipe accidents, under the wrong circumstances, any accident can cause life-threatening injuries.
Do not expect an insurance adjuster to inform you of all the recovery you are entitled to under North Carolina Law.
Also read Raleigh Car Accident Lawyer.
Steps to Take After Rear-End Car Accidents
After a car accident that was not your fault in which you have been injured, the first step is to call law enforcement and wait for them to arrive.
Do not leave the scene without speaking with the police.
If possible, take photographs of your vehicle, the at-fault party's vehicle, and of your injuries.
The next step is to seek immediate medical attention, typically in the emergency room.
After seeking initial medical treatment, you should follow all medical advice.
An auto accident victim should also obtain a copy of the car accident report (or police report) to ensure that the accident has been accurately described as it happened and that the officer was correct in assigning fault.
Read Raleigh Car Accident Reports.
Car accident victims must file a property damage and personal injury claim with the at-fault driver's insurance.
To call a Raleigh Car Accident Attorney or not, that is the question.
Medical Treatment is Required
Obtaining medical treatment immediately after your accident and following all medical advice is essential for your North Carolina Personal Injury case, but it is crucial for your health.
If you have not sought medical treatment after your car accident, please do so as soon as possible.
Also read Medical Bills After NC Car Accident.
Types of Rear-End Car Accident Injuries
The injuries that can be suffered as a result of a rear-end collision range from “soft-tissue” to catastrophic, depending upon several factors, such as speed, vehicle type and size, and whether the occupants of the vehicles were properly wearing their seat belts, to name a few.
Physical Injuries
Medical professionals should examine soft tissue injuries to rule out internal organ damage or more severe injuries.
The mechanism of the wreck also determines the injuries suffered and whether the injured individual had any pre-existing conditions that were aggravated or triggered by the force of the wreck.
For example, if you are rear-ended by someone traveling 45 miles per hour, the energy of the impact will pass through your vehicle and your body at the same rate of speed. Your body and vehicle will also move in the same direction as the energy is going.
Thus, if your vehicle was struck squarely in the rear, your vehicle and body will be pushed forward in the same motion; whereas if your car was struck more on the left side, your vehicle and body will be forced to the left.
This force can cause neck injuries, head injuries, spinal cord injuries, and even traumatic brain injuries.
Your injuries can also come from the blunt force trauma of your body colliding with equipment inside your vehicle, other individuals in your car, or other objects or fixtures.
For example, if your head hits the steering wheel on impact, it may cause a concussion or other traumatic brain injury. Depending on the factors of your car accident, you can even suffer fractured bones or permanent nerve damage.
Mental Injuries
Beyond the physical injuries you are likely to suffer as a result of a rear-end collision, certain mental and emotional scars can develop.
Emotional trauma can cause psychological injuries, which can result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
If, after you endure a rear-end wreck, you begin to feel afraid, stressed, or paranoid of being hit from behind, you should schedule an appointment with a mental health professional.
With their help, you will be able to identify and, with time, quiet the fears and anxieties that may have developed.
Also read Raleigh Car Accident Injuries.
Do you need a Raleigh car accident lawyer?
Unfortunately, even after serious injuries from a car wreck, victims can find that the insurance company does not want to pay fair compensation.
Retaining a personal injury attorney to review and evaluate a rear-end crash case, who has experience in negotiating similar cases, will be helpful for you or your loved one to determine, protect, and make the most of your rights under North Carolina law.
Further, an NC personal injury attorney will be able to anticipate the arguments made by most insurance companies to negate or lower the value of your case.
The Bishop Law Firm represents victims with NC Rear-End Collision Injuries in Raleigh, Cary, Durham, Fayetteville, Rocky Mount, Roanoke Rapids, Smithfield, Louisburg, Chapel Hill, Wilson, North Carolina, and surrounding areas.
Call us today for a free case review at (919) 615-3095.
