Rear-end collisions can result in a number of serious injuries, due to the unexpected nature of the crash. Accident victims in the front vehicle rarely have any warning and are therefore unable to prepare themselves or make any evasive moves to avoid the accident. Ligori & Ligori, Attorneys at Law has rear-end collision injury lawyers who can help you in the event of a Florida rear-end collision accident.
What Causes Rear-End Collisions?
Rear-end collisions almost always occur due to some form of negligence, which is why the rear-ending driver is almost always at fault. Some contributing factors to rear-end collisions include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Improper lane changing
- Going too fast for weather conditions
- Following too closely
- Aggressive driving
- Impaired/drunk driving
- Panic stopping
These factors cause drivers to lose control of their vehicle and impact another vehicle in the rear. In rear-end collisions drivers commonly:
- Slam into another vehicle that is slowing for traffic ahead.
- Slam into another slower moving vehicle ahead.
- Fail to notice a vehicle ahead is signaling and slowing for a turn.
- Fail to properly judge distances due to darkness or weather conditions.
- Anticipate speeding through a changing traffic signal and crashing into the vehicle ahead that has slowed or stopped.
- Anticipate the vehicle in front of them will accelerate faster than is the case, causing them to crash into them from behind.
- Attempt to swerve around a vehicle ahead while speeding and misjudge speeds/distances, causing a collision.
How Common Are Rear-End Collisions?
Approximately 30% of all car accidents are rear-end collisions. The Insurance Information Institute affirms that rear-end collisions are to blame for more than 7% of all traffic-related fatalities and almost 20% of all two-vehicle collision fatalities. During 2020 alone, almost 14,000 citations were issued for following too closely in Florida, and most of those included contributing to an injury or fatality accident. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claims that almost 1 in every 4 car crashes are rear-end collisions.
Determining Fault in Florida Rear-End Collisions
Due to presumed negligence, almost all rear-end collisions are considered to be the fault of the rear driver. All drivers are expected to be in full control of their vehicle at all times and in all circumstances. Due to the common negligence factors listed above, a driver that strikes another vehicle in the rear is assumed to be guilty of negligence. Other charges may also apply, such as speeding, distracted driving or driving while impaired.
Since Florida is a state where comparative negligence laws apply, fault for the accident is assigned to each person according to their degree of responsibility. For example, if you were struck in the rear by another driver while slowing to make a turn, but you failed to signal or your turn signal light was inoperative, you could be partially to blame for the accident. In these cases, any damages you would receive would be reduced by the percentage deemed to be your fault.
Florida no-fault laws also stipulate that each driver involved in an accident is responsible for their own injuries, meaning their own vehicle insurance will cover their losses. However, since insurance companies are more focused on making money than paying large claims, they will seek to limit their loss by lowballing a settlement or medical expense coverages.
Why Choose Ligori & Ligori After a Rear-End Collision Accident?
These complicating factors demand that you have an experienced rear-end collision accident lawyer from Ligori & Ligori on your side. We can explain the complex laws and how they apply to your case, while fighting to win you the most compensation possible to help meet expenses incurred from the accident.
Here are some typical case results from rear-end collision accident victims represented by Ligori & Ligori:
- Brian was driving home one night when he suddenly collided with the rear end of a dump truck. The dump truck was painted black and stalled in the middle of an intersection where there were no street lights. The dump truck did not have proper reflective tape or use flares, and there were no lights to warn him of what was ahead. Brian suffered extensive damages to his lungs, legs and pelvis. He received no offer from the insurance company, but Ligori & Ligori obtained $600,000.00 to provide some financial relief while he recovered.
- Our client was traveling on Fowler Avenue, in Hillsborough County, FL. As he slowed for traffic stopped ahead, he was suddenly crashed into by the defendant, who failed to pay attention to the vehicles in front of him. Our client suffered permanent neck and back injuries as a result of the crash. Following an initial offer of $20,000, Ligori & Ligori negotiated a final settlement for the client totaling $450,000.00.
- Our client was stopped for traffic on Big Bend Road in Hillsborough County, FL. The defendant driver failed to stop and crashed into the rear of her vehicle causing a violent collision. Our client suffered very serious and permanent injuries to her neck and back as a result of the crash. Following an initial offer to settle the matter for $15,000, Ligori & Ligori successfully obtained $285,000.00 for our client’s injuries.
Contact Ligori & Ligori as soon as possible after you have been involved in a rear-end collision. We will work hard to get you the compensation that you deserve.
Posted on behalf of