When two vehicles are involved in an accident in Marietta, there’s about a 50-50 chance that one of them rear-ended the other. Some of these rear-end collisions just cause minor dents and scrapes, but many rear-end accidents seriously injure the drivers and passengers in both cars.
Even when a collision seems minor, ongoing injuries can develop over time. These injuries often require extensive – and expensive – medical treatment that can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision, you have a right to recover the money it will cost to treat your injuries and repair or replace your vehicle.
Our firm has been helping people recover money for their injuries for over two decades, and in that time we’ve built an impressive track record. In fact, our entire practice is focused on helping people who have been hurt in accidents get the money they deserve from insurance companies.
Can You Sue for a Rear-End Collision?
Yes, in many cases, you can sue for a rear-end accident. Any number of things could have caused your accident, and if the other driver was negligent, then they should be held accountable for your damages.
When someone is on the road, they owe other drivers what is known as a duty of care. That’s the duty to treat others to a standard that can be reasonably expected of anyone.
If someone breaks that duty of care, then they’re considered negligent and are therefore liable for your accident.
If you’re planning on suing for your rear-end collision, you should get in contact with a skilled personal injury lawyer in Marietta. At your first meeting with our team, one of our rear-end collision attorneys will listen to your story and tell you how you should handle the next steps in your case.
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Is It Worth Getting a Car Accident Lawyer in Marietta?
If you have any suspicion that your accident was caused by negligence, then yes, it is worth getting a Marietta car accident attorney to represent you. Even if your accident was minor, your damages could cost you more than you expect. That is especially true for medical bills for even the most minor of injuries.
There’s no risk in hiring one of our rear-end collision attorneys in Marietta. Our team works on a contingency-fee-basis, which means we don’t get paid unless you get your compensation. Because you pay nothing upfront, you eliminate your risk of shelling out for lawyer fees for a claim that doesn’t get you anything.
You don’t need to go it alone. People who try to file their claim by themselves often find the chances of compensation are much slimmer than those who have an attorney by their side. If you have any questions about your case, don’t hesitate to get a free consultation.
What Is a Rear-End Collision in Marietta?
Any time one vehicle hits the back end of another, we consider it a rear-end collision, even if there were other factors that caused or contributed to the accident.
We have handled cases involving tragic rear-end accidents that happened at high speeds, with one car suddenly veering in front of another.
Our rear-end cases have also included collisions at stoplights and in parking lots where the cars were just creeping along. We’ve found that even at low speeds, rear-end collisions can cause significant damage and substantial, painful injuries.
In Marietta, rear-end collisions usually involve at least one of these factors:
- Exceeding the speed limit
- Following too closely
- Distractions, including texting while driving
- A driver under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Bad weather, including fog and heavy rain
- Swerving in and out of lanes
You can contact us for help with rear-end accidents involving truckers, police chases, rideshare drivers, and other motorists.
As long as negligence was the cause of your accident, it doesn’t necessarily matter what happened. A skilled rear-end collision attorney in Marietta will be able to investigate your crash and gather evidence to prove that you were the victim.
What Kinds of Injuries do Rear-End Accidents Cause?
There are almost as many different types of injuries as there are causes of rear-end accidents. But there are some that we routinely see, including these:
- Whiplash. Whiplash is a painful neck condition, and it’s the most common injury in rear-end collisions. When a vehicle hits you from behind, the force of the impact pushes you violently forward, and while your seatbelt keeps in your seat, your head and neck will nonetheless “whip” toward the front windshield, often tearing neck muscles and soft tissue.
- Head injuries. The forward motion caused by a rear-end collision can propel your head into the windshield, steering wheel, dashboard, or seat in front of you. This can leave you with anything from a mild concussion to a severe and life-altering brain injury.
- Broken bones. Many rear-end accident victims suffer broken bones in their noses, hands, legs, and arms.
Any car accident can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been in an accident, get checked out by a doctor right away, even if you don’t think you’ve been badly hurt.
The medical bills associated with your injuries could be exorbitant, but you may not have to pay for them out of your own pocket. With the help of a rear-end collision lawyer in Marietta, you could be able to get compensation for your damages.
Are Rear-End Collisions Different from Other Accidents?
Legally, a rear-end collision is just like any other vehicle accident. As with any accident in Georgia, the insurance company of the driver who’s at fault pays for all injuries and vehicle damage. That makes fault an important factor in every auto accident case.
But while the fault is hotly contested in many accidents, it’s usually easy to determine who caused a rear-end collision.
In almost every case, the driver in the back – the one who “rear-ended” someone – is at fault. That driver could usually have avoided the accident if he or she had been paying better attention or observing a safe following distance.
However, there are instances where the rear driver is NOT at fault. For example, a driver who suddenly cut in front of another vehicle or did not use a signal when changing lanes could be the cause of a rear-end collision.
What Costs Will a Rear-End Collision Claim Pay in Marietta?
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end accident, you’re legally entitled to recover all of the costs resulting from the accident. These might include:
- Doctors, hospitals, and other health care expenses
- Prescribed drugs
- Physical, occupational, or rehabilitative therapy
- Mechanics and body shops, or the cost of a replacement vehicle
- The pay you lost because of the accident
Depending on the extent of your injuries, you may also be eligible for larger sums of money. The Cobb County courts may make financial awards to compensate you for such things as ongoing pain or a permanent disability.
We know that money can never make up for the things you lost in your accident, but it can give you and your family financial peace of mind as you work through the healing process.
It’s important to know that insurance companies rarely offer you the amount your claim is truly worth. To keep costs down, they usually present a low settlement offer, hoping that you’ll take it before you’ve thought things through or truly know the extent of your injuries. That’s why you shouldn’t sign any insurance company paperwork until you’ve gotten advice from a lawyer.
Is There a Deadline for Filing a Rear-End Accident Claim in Marietta?
Federal and state laws impose deadlines for filing accident claims in Georgia. Many rear-end accident victims have two years to file a claim, in accordance with the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §9-3-33. But some have a much shorter time frame—possibly only a matter of months.
These deadlines are important because if you miss them, you give up your right to recover money from the insurance company. That’s why it’s critical to talk to a Marietta rear-end collision attorney as soon as possible after the accident.
Talk to a Marietta Rear-End Collision Accident Attorney for Free
The Marietta rear-end collision lawyers at John Foy & Associates have just one goal: to help people who have been injured in accidents. We’d like to show you what we can do for you. Schedule a free consultation and we will discuss your case, explain your options, and help you decide what to do next.
Call us or fill out the form to your right and get your FREE consultation today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form