Oklahoma City rear-end accident lawyer explains how much your claim is worth
One of the most frustrating types of car accidents involves being hit from behind by another driver. Commonly referred to as rear-end accidents, these types of crashes often result in serious injuries, no matter what some insurance companies might claim.
That’s why it’s critical that you fully understand your legal rights and know what to do in the event that another driver causes your rear-end accident. Otherwise, you might end up having to pay for your injury-related expenses out of your own pocket.
How common are rear-end accidents?
At least 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur every year on average, according to car accident data collected by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Those figures mean rear-end accidents account for 28 percent of all motor vehicle accidents, making them the most common type of collision. That might explain why some people think that rear-end accidents are not that serious. But the truth is many rear-end crashes can be very serious and cause severe injuries.
Common rear-end accident injuries
The force of a vehicle crashing into the back of another vehicle can be very strong. As a result, the people in the front vehicle are often thrust forward and backward. This violent motion can cause many types of injuries, including:
- Whiplash, a type of neck strain injury.
- Concussions or other types of traumatic brain injuries (TBIs).
- Cuts or lacerations to the face, especially if the driver or front-seat passenger’s face hits the windshield.
- Broken bones or bone fractures.
- Back injuries, especially lower back injuries.
- Chronic pain, especially neck pain and back pain.
Other types of injuries often occur in rear-end crashes as well, especially if the driver who caused the crash was speeding or didn’t attempt to slow down.
Who’s at fault in a rear-end crash?
In most cases, the driver who hit the vehicle in front is at fault. However, there are very rare circumstances where the driver in front may have somehow contributed to causing the rear-end collision. This is why it’s important for accident victims to call the police to investigate the crash. That way, there’s no debate later about who caused the rear-end accident.
Who’s responsible for paying for my rear-end accident?
Oklahoma has what’s known as an at-fault car insurance system. This means the at-fault party is responsible for paying for your accident-related expenses. In a rear-end collision, this typically means the driver of the rear vehicle needs to pay for the cost of the accident.
What can I be compensated for?
As briefly explained above, you should be financially compensated for all your injury-related expenses related to your rear-end collision. What you might not realize is just how many expenses you can receive money for if someone else caused your collision. Such expenses often include:
- The cost of all medical care related to your accident, including future anticipated medical costs.
- Repairing your damaged vehicle or purchasing a new one if your car is a total loss.
- Replacement income if you need time off from work to recover from your rear-end accident injury.
- Lost future income if you cannot work (or can only work reduced hours) in the future due to a permanent disability sustained in your accident.
- Pain and suffering and other non-economic losses in certain circumstances.
Add all these expenses together and your rear-end injury claim can easily be worth thousands of dollars or significantly more. Make sure you demand maximum financial compensation for your rear-end crash. Talk to a lawyer right away.
How a rear-end accident attorney can help
Rear-end accidents often turn out to be very complicated legal cases. Sometimes, it’s because the driver who caused your crash denies doing anything wrong. Other times, it’s because the at-fault driver’s insurance company doesn’t think you have a serious injury and only makes a lowball settlement offer.
The experienced Oklahoma rear-end accident lawyers at Lawter & Associates, Attorneys At Law, PLLC can help you every step of the way. We know how to investigate rear-end collisions. We know what evidence to look for and what questions to ask. That’s why we have such a strong track record of getting injury victims the money they rightfully deserve.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule a free case evaluation with an Oklahoma rear-end accident attorney focused on winning your case. We work on a contingency fee basis. That means you only have to pay us if we secure a financial settlement or verdict for you. Make an appointment today at our Tulsa or Oklahoma City office.