Clarkston
Rear-End Collision Lawyer

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents in Clarkston. Many drivers are speeding or inattentive and do not brake in time to avoid the vehicle in front of them. After a rear-end collision, speak to a Clarkston rear-end collision lawyer at John Foy & Associates. 

Causes and Liability 

Liability is relatively easy to determine in these accidents because the driver in the rear is frequently responsible for causing the accident. They must pay for the damages they cause. Driver distraction is a leading cause of rear-end collisions, but there are many others:

• Speeding 
• Intoxication 
• Tailgating
• Fatigue
• Failure to adjust to inclement weather or bad road conditions 
• Sudden lane change 
• Stop-and-go traffic 
• Insufficient braking distance 

Some rear-end collisions happen during multi-vehicle or pile-up accidents. These are complex because many possible scenarios can cause these incidents and, therefore, many liability concerns. You must work with a rear-end collision lawyer in Clarkston, GA, to determine the cause and liability for the accident. 

Evidence You Need to Determine Fault

While fault may seem evident to you as the victim, the legal system does not work this way. You must have evidence supporting your claim, but what kind of evidence do you need? The police report is essential to determining fault. When police respond to the crash, they will do an initial investigation and report their findings. 

They will speak to witnesses and look at tire tracks and nearby signage. The report also has a diagram showing what they believe happened. The police report is admissible evidence, so police officers must get it right. 

The police report is one of many pieces of evidence you will need to prove your claim. The more evidence you have, the better. Other evidence you can present includes:

• Photos and videos 
• Eyewitness statements
• 911 calls
• Mobile data plan records 
• Black box data
• Post-accident inspection reports 
• Weather reports 

You can also use videos and photos from nearby businesses and street cams. Accident victims do not have to collect this evidence independently, as your Clarkston rear-end collision attorney from John Foy & Associates can obtain this critical evidence on your behalf. We work quickly and tirelessly to develop your case while you focus on healing from your injuries and putting your life back together after the crash.

Injuries Can Be Severe

The force of the vehicle behind you can lead to you being thrown about your car. Some rear-end collisions result in minor injuries, but others lead to lifelong ones. Common rear-end collision injuries include:

• Whiplash
• Spinal cord injuries leading to paralysis
• Head and brain injuries
• Facial disfigurement 
• Wrist and arm injuries like fractures 
• Back injuries 
• Laceration from the seatbelt 
• Internal injuries 
• Concussions 

You can recover fully from minor injuries, but severe injuries can require months of treatment. Victims often need surgery and face a long recovery process. The worst outcome is having a permanent injury with no path to recovery. Speak to our rear-end collision attorney in Clarkston, GA, to ensure you recover your losses. 

Do Not Speak to the Insurance Company

On the day of the accident, you may have additional injuries that might not be apparent. Victims should not speak to insurance adjusters without the guidance of a skilled attorney. The insurance carrier will try to contact you immediately following the accident to get a statement and find out what your injuries are before you see your doctor. 

They will use that to their advantage by documenting that you are not in pain even if you visit the hospital the next day. Once you make a statement that hurts your case, it is challenging to recover. The adjuster will ask you a barrage of questions to get answers that help them. 

Being honest does not matter because they will use your words against you. Instead, speak to John Foy & Associates first so we can handle the insurance company. 

The Claims Process

In Clarkston, you must prove the other party was responsive to your injuries to hold them responsible for the car accident. Negligence is the basis of recovering compensation. You must show the insurance company and the court who is negligent. 

The most critical step your Clarkston rear-end collision attorneys will take is investigating the crash and gathering evidence supporting your claim. Next, your John Foy lawyer will assess your damages by collecting documentation showing your injuries and losses. We will also calculate your future losses and move on to negotiating with the insurance company. 

The insurance company cannot contact you once you have a lawyer on your team. They cannot lowball you when you have an experienced attorney to negotiate on your behalf.

Recovering Compensation for Your Injuries

The driver’s insurance company must compensate you for your losses stemming from the rear-end collision. An experienced lawyer can assess your unique circumstances and calculate your damages. Most often, you will receive monetary compensation for the following: 

• Lost wages
• Medical costs
• Property damage
• Long-term treatment 
• Pain and suffering 
• Emergency medical treatment 
• Diminished earning capacity
• Emotional anguish 
• Permanent disfigurement 

If you have a disability or other permanent injury, you can also obtain further compensation. In instances of egregious negligence, you can recover punitive damages. 

Georgia also uses a modified comparative negligence rule when determining who is at fault and must pay compensation. This can affect how much you may receive, and your attorney can explain how this may apply to your specific accident.

John Foy & Associates Can Help

Our firm has been helping accident victims for over 20 years, so we know what it takes to negotiate a settlement after a rear-end collision. We will work diligently to collect evidence that proves your case. Insurance companies know and respect us because we use a Strong Arm approach when representing clients. 

We are a law firm that cares, and it shows. We take on small caseloads so we can focus on our clients’ needs. When you or a loved one is in need of a Clarkston rear-end collision lawyer, call John Foy & Associates for a case review.