New York Rear-End Collision Lawyer
Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents in New York. These accidents happen when the front end of a vehicle collides into the back of the car in front of them. Depending on the force of the impact, the results can be devastating. While rear-end collisions that occur at high speeds can result in severe injuries or fatality, even a minor fender bender can result in a victim requiring extensive medical treatment.
If you were hurt in a rear-end collision caused by someone else’s careless or reckless driving, you might be entitled to monetary recovery for your injuries. At The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., we understand that the aftermath of a rear-end accident can be a stressful and overwhelming time. We are dedicated to providing effective counsel to clients through every stage of the litigation process and fighting for the compensation they deserve.
Causes of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions are common at red lights and stop signs. However, they can also occur on any road while driving at any speed — they are especially common in the stop-and-go traffic throughout New York City and the surrounding suburbs. Critically, if the driver behind you wasn’t keeping a safe distance or failed to pay attention to the road, your life can be changed forever by their negligence.
Common causes of rear-end collisions can include:
- Following too closely
- Ineffective brakes
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence
- Cell phone use or texting
- Distracted driving
- Chain reaction accidents
- Speeding
Since drivers have a duty to maintain a reasonably safe distance between their vehicle and the car in front of them, liability in many rear-end accidents is straightforward. In New York, there is a rebuttable presumption that when a stopped car is hit from behind, the operator of the rear vehicle is at fault for the accident — unless they can offer a non-negligent explanation for the collision. Other accidents may not be quite as clear cut and establishing liability can be complex.
Even if your actions contributed to the accident, you may still be eligible to receive monetary recovery for your injuries. Importantly, New York follows the rule of comparative negligence. This means that any compensation to which you are entitled will be reduced by your share of fault. For instance, if the jury finds that you were 25% liable for the rear-end accident because you stopped suddenly, your award would be reduced by that amount.
At The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., we offer effective representation for victims of rear-end accidents and help them to recover maximum compensation for the injuries they were caused to suffer by the actions of another.
Common Rear-End Accident Injuries
If your vehicle was struck from behind, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately, even if you don’t think you were injured — some common rear-end accident injuries may not become apparent until a few weeks later. Soft tissue injuries are extremely common due to the impact of a rear-end collision. Left untreated, they can result in permanent physical damage and lasting disability.
A rear-end accident victim may also sustain neck injuries, brain injury, concussion, back injuries, nerve damage, sprains, strains, and paralysis. If the impact was substantial, a rear-end accident could be fatal. Your doctor may recommend X-rays, MRIs, EMG-NCVs, CAT scans, and other diagnostic testing to determine your injuries. Treatment for rear-end accident injuries can include physical therapy, chiropractic care, surgeries, and the use of medical equipment or devices.
Significantly, your medical documentation is key to your personal injury case. While your focus should be on getting better, we concentrate on building the strongest case possible to hold the negligent party accountable for your injuries.
Fighting for Your Right to the Maximum Compensation You Deserve
If you’ve sustained a serious injury in a rear-end collision, you may be entitled to recover for your economic and non-economic damages. Although no-fault insurance may pay up to $50,000 of your medical expenses, reasonable transportation costs in connection with medical treatment, and a certain amount of lost wages — it may not be enough to cover the full extent of your monetary losses. No-fault also doesn’t compensate you for the pain and suffering you may have endured due to your injuries.
By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you may be able to recover your unreimbursed medical expenses, lost earnings, and out-of-pocket expenses. You may also be awarded compensation for the physical pain and mental anguish you have suffered due to your accident-related injuries.
The personal injury attorneys at The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. are adept negotiators and experienced litigators. Whether your case can be successfully settled or a better result would be obtained by proceeding to trial, we take a strategic approach to help ensure the highest possible verdict or settlement is obtained.
Contact an Experienced Rear-End Collision Lawyer in New York
Rear-end collisions can take a substantial toll on you physically and financially — and it’s essential to have an experienced personal injury lawyer on your side who can help secure the monetary recovery you’re entitled to receive for your injuries. For more than three decades, The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has been advocating for the rights of rear-end collision victims and achieving positive results in their cases.
The Dearie Law Firm, P.C. has convenient office locations in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, as well as mobile locations serving Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, Staten Island, Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island in Nassau County and Suffolk County. Contact us for a consultation.