A rear-end collision involves one car hitting the back of another car. Such car accidents involve the rear-end driver traveling at a higher rate of speed than the driver in front. Sometimes, the driver in front was at a complete stop at the time of the collision. Other times, the driver in the back was traveling at a higher rate of speed than the vehicle in front.
These types of crashes often occur at traffic lights, crosswalks, and stop signs, but can just as easily occur on rural highways with trucks, city streets, and even parking lots. They are among the most common types of collisions on the road.
What to expect after getting hit from behind?
There are so many different things to expect after a rear-end accident. Even knowing what to do (and not to do) can be confusing. Perhaps the best way to approach a serious accident like a rear-end collision is to expect the unexpected. That’s because each collision presents its unique challenges and obstacles.
In general, expect to be in pain after your rear-end accident. You can also expect to encounter a lot of legal hassles, especially since some people don’t take these types of crashes seriously. Sometimes, dealing with the other driver can be difficult. Other times, it’s the at-fault driver’s insurance company that’s the problem. Whatever the circumstances, an experienced rear-end accident lawyer can help.
Do I need a lawyer after being rear-ended?
The short answer? Yes. Even though many crashes might seem simple at first, the reality is many injury claims or lawsuits can quickly turn into complicated legal cases.
That’s why it’s important to have an experienced attorney for rear-end accidents representing you after your collision. Otherwise, you might not get the financial compensation you rightfully deserve for your injury-related expenses.
How long does it take to settle a rear-end accident?
Unfortunately, there’s no set time limit when it comes to resolving a rear-end accident claim. You might receive a settlement offer a few days after your accident. But you should be careful about agreeing to accept a settlement offer right away. In many cases, the initial offer is a “lowball” figure that doesn’t cover all your accident-related expenses. This is why many settlements can be done in 30 to 90 days or take up to several years.
This is why you should take your time before settling your case. Because once you do, that’s it. You can’t come back months or years later and ask for more money. This is also one of the reasons why you should hire an attorney. They can help you review any settlement offers and decide whether to accept them, request more money, or file a rear-end accident lawsuit.
Average rear-end accident settlement values
The average settlement value of a rear-end accident can vary based on many things including the severity of injuries, insurance coverage, and liability. It is not uncommon for a rear-end accident settlement to average between $5,000 and $20,000. However, there are many cases where severe injuries can lead to much higher settlements.
For example, a car was stopped at a red light in New York City when it was rear-ended by a drunk driver. The impact of the collision caused the driver of the stopped car to suffer a broken arm, ligament damage, a concussion, and other injuries. The driver of the stopped car filed a personal injury lawsuit against the drunk driver, seeking a settlement of $1 million dollars to cover the costs of medical treatment, lost wages, and other damages. After negotiations, the parties were able to reach a settlement in which the drunk driver agreed to pay the driver of the stopped car $1 million dollars in exchange for a release of all claims. The settlement allowed the injured driver to receive the financial compensation needed to cover the costs of their injuries and provided some measure of justice for the harm caused by the drunk driver's actions.