Denver Rear-End Collision Accident Lawyer

Imagine sitting in traffic, just trying to get home after a long day, when suddenly you hear a loud crash and feel the impact of another vehicle hitting you from behind. Your day quickly goes from mundane to potentially catastrophic, as you’re suddenly faced with serious damage to your car and severe bodily injuries that could affect you for months or even years.

Denver Rear-End Collision Accident Lawyer

Victims of rear-end collisions don’t have to imagine this scenario because they’ve already lived through a version of it. They’ve experienced the impact of a rear-end collision and how their lives can change in an instant due to the actions of another driver.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a rear-end collision accident and are now facing mounting medical bills and other financial hardships, contact the Denver car accident attorneys at Genco Injury Attorneys today. We believe you deserve full compensation for your damages, and our skilled attorneys will devote the time and attention to your case that it deserves so that you can obtain the best possible outcome in your Denver rear-end collision accident claim. Call today for a free consultation: 303-500-1376.

What Commonly Causes Rear-End Collisions?

In a rear-end collision accident, a vehicle is usually parked or moving very slowly, and another vehicle hits it from behind. These accidents are almost always caused by some type of negligence on the part of the rear driver. Some risk factors for rear-end collisions include:

• Texting or talking on the phone
• Distracted driving
• Take your eyes off the road
• Not leaving enough space to stop between vehicles or to follow closely
• Slipping due to ice, water or slippery surface conditions
• Mechanical failure of brakes or tires
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Driving while fatigued
• Reduced visibility due to fog, darkness or heavy rain
• Driving in stopped and moving traffic
• Experiencing a medical emergency, such as a heart attack or stroke
• Speeding

When discussing the causes of rear-end collisions, it’s important to remember that in most situations, the accident could have been avoided if the rear driver had remained alert and left an appropriate amount of space between his or her vehicle and the one in front. The National Safety Council (NSC) and many other organizations, including AAA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), are proponents of the three-second rule for maintaining a safe distance between vehicles under normal circumstances. A simple way to check if you’re following too closely is to mark when the vehicle in front of you passes a stationary object such as a fence post or telephone pole, and then begin counting the seconds until your car passes the same spot. If it’s less than three seconds, you should slow down and give it more space. Remember that an even larger gap is recommended when there are visibility issues, poor road conditions, or in any situation where it might take longer to stop safely, such as when you’re towing a heavy trailer.

What Injuries Do Victims of Rear-End Collision Accidents Suffer?

While most accidents come as a surprise, many car accident victims may have a few seconds in which they see the impact coming and brace themselves for the crash. Unfortunately, because the impact in rear-end collision accidents comes from behind, victims often don’t anticipate the accident at all. This means they have no chance to prepare and can suffer even more serious injuries. Victims of a rear-end collision accident are thrown forward against the dashboard or steering wheel and can suffer debilitating soft tissue damage, head injuries, and neck injuries. The most common types of serious injuries seen in a rear-end collision accident include:

• Whiplash
• Back and spine injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Bruises and lacerations
• Injuries to the skull and face
• Fractures and broken bones
• Damage to internal organs

An additional danger for certain drivers is the fact that some older vehicles have their gas tanks closer to the rear of the car, and in some cases, these tanks can leak and cause a fire or explosion if the car is hit with enough force from behind. Many of these vehicles have been recalled or repaired due to these problems, but there may still be vehicles on the road that are more likely to catch fire if they are involved in a rear-end collision.

Who is Liable in a Rear-End Collision in Colorado?

While the driver who hit the other vehicle from behind is usually held liable in a rear-end collision accident, there are actually many considerations that come into play when determining fault. For example, if the front driver had faulty taillights, they will likely be held at least partially responsible for the accident. The same is true if the front vehicle was backing up at an intersection when the accident occurred. Weather conditions, visibility, and whether the rear driver was driving appropriately for the situation will also be taken into account when determining liability. However, under Colorado’s modified comparative fault rules for traffic accidents, a driver can still recover compensation even if they are found to be partially at fault in the accident. As long as a driver is less than 50% responsible for the rear-end collision, they are eligible to seek compensation, although the amount awarded will be reduced by the percentage of their fault. While this benefits victims in some cases, it also means that the insurance company will try to put as much of the blame as possible on the rear-end collision accident victim to reduce the amount of damages they must pay. This makes it particularly important to have a personal injury attorney who will look out for your best interests and confront insurance companies with solid evidence, so you can get the compensation you deserve.

What Type of Compensation Can Rear-End Collision Accident Victims Recover?

A rear-end collision, even at lower speeds, can cause serious damage to the body. Whiplash can be extremely painful and make it difficult to sleep, reducing your quality of life and making daily tasks difficult or impossible. Head injuries can cause you to become completely disabled and lose your job if they are severe enough. Add to this the expensive medical bills for emergency room expenses, surgeries, follow-up visits, medications, and more, and you have a recipe for financial disaster. You deserve to recover compensation for these injuries so you can stop worrying about the bills and focus on your family and your recovery. The types of compensation your Denver rear-end collision accident lawyer can obtain for you include:

• Home services, both medical and non-medical
• Counseling
• Durable medical devices, such as crutches or scooters
• Emotional distress
• Lost wages, including loss of future income if you become permanently disabled
• Medical expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Vehicle repair or replacement

How Can a Lawyer Help with My Rear-End Collision Claim?

The claims process after any car accident can be overwhelming. Insurance companies are interested in protecting their bottom line and will often try to offer rear-end accident victims less than they actually deserve for their injuries. You may face difficulties negotiating with them while you are still recovering and dealing with the stress of bills, but you don’t have to go it alone. Our compassionate personal injury attorneys will help you every step of the way. We will fight to make sure you receive full and fair compensation for your injuries. We offer a free consultation for your case, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us today at 303-500-1376.