Denver, CO, Rear-End Accidents Lawyers Representing Those Hurt in Unexpected Crashes

Imagine sitting in traffic, just trying to get home from work after a long day, when out of the blue, you hear a loud crash and feel an impact as another vehicle rams into you from behind. Your day rapidly goes from mundane to potentially catastrophic as you suddenly face serious damage to your car and severe bodily injuries that could impact you for months or years to come.

Rear-end car accident victims don’t have to imagine this scenario because they’ve lived a version of it. They’ve experienced the shock of a rear-end crash and how much their lives can be changed in an instant by the actions of another driver. If you or your loved one have been hurt in a rear-end car accident and now find yourself facing mounting medical bills and other financial difficulties, contact the Denver car accident lawyers at Genco Injury Attorneys today. We believe you deserve full compensation for your damages, and our skilled attorneys will give your case the time and attention it warrants so that you can get the best possible outcome for your Denver rear-end accident claim. Call today for a free consultation: 303-500-1376.

What Commonly Causes Rear-End Collisions?

In a rear-end car accident, one vehicle is usually stationary or moving very slowly, and another vehicle smashes into it from behind. These accidents are almost always due to some kind 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
• Looking away from the road ahead
• Not leaving enough stopping room between vehicles or tailgating
• Sliding due to icy, wet, or slippery conditions
• Mechanical failure of brakes or tires
• Driving while intoxicated
• Fatigued driving
• Decreased visibility because of fog, darkness, or heavy rain
• Driving in stop-and-go traffic
• Experiencing a medical emergency, such as a seizure or stroke
• Speeding

When discussing the causes of rear-end collisions, it is important to remember that in most situations, the accident could have been prevented by the rear driver staying aware and leaving an appropriate amount of room between themselves and the car 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 test if you are following too closely is to mark when the vehicle in front of you passes a stationary object like a fence post or telephone pole, then begin counting the seconds until your car passes the same point. If it is less than three seconds, you should slow down and give them more room. Remember that an even larger gap is recommended when there are visibility issues, bad road conditions, or in any situation where it might take a longer time to stop safely, such as if you are towing a heavy trailer.

What Injuries Do Victims of Rear-End Crashes Suffer?

While most accidents are a surprise, many car accident victims may have a few seconds where they see the impact coming and can prepare for the crash. Unfortunately, because the impact in a rear-end collision comes from behind, victims often do not anticipate the accident at all. This means they have no chance to brace themselves and may experience even worse injuries. Victims in a rear-end accident get thrown forward into the dash or steering wheel and may suffer debilitating soft tissue damage, head injuries, and neck injuries. The most common types of injuries seen in a rear-end accident are:

• Whiplash
• Back and spine injuries
• Strains and sprains
• Paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Bruises and lacerations
• Skull and facial injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Damage to internal organs

An added 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 start a fire or explode if the car is struck hard enough from behind. Many of these cars have been recalled or fixed due to these issues, but there may still be vehicles on the road that are more likely to combust if involved in a rear-end collision.

Who is Liable in a Colorado Rear-End Collision?

While the driver who struck the other vehicle from behind is often found liable in a rear-end accident, there are actually many considerations that go into determining fault. For example, if the front driver had malfunctioning tail lights, they would likely be considered at least partially at fault for the accident. The same applies if the front vehicle was backing up at an intersection when the car accident occurred. Weather conditions, visibility, and whether the rear driver was driving appropriately for the situation will also be considered when determining liability.

However, under Colorado’s modified comparative fault rules for car accidents, a driver may still be able to recover compensation even if they are found to be partially at fault for the accident. As long as a driver is less than 50% at fault for the rear-end collision, they are eligible to seek compensation, although their awarded amount will be reduced by the percentage of their fault. While this benefits victims in some ways, it also means that the insurance company will be trying to place as much blame as possible onto the rear-end accident victim to reduce the number of damages they have to pay out. This makes it particularly important to have a personal injury attorney to look out for your best interests and push back against the insurance companies with solid evidence, so you can get the compensation you deserve.

What Types of Compensation Can Rear-End Accident Victims Recover?

A rear-end collision, even at slower speeds, can cause serious damage to the body. Whiplash can be extremely painful and make sleeping difficult, lowering your quality of life and making day-to-day tasks hard or impossible. Head injuries can cause you to become fully disabled and lose your job if they are severe enough. Add this to the hefty medical bills for ER 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 bills and focus on your family and healing. The types of compensation your car accident attorneys may secure for you include:

• At-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 are permanently disabled
• Medical expenses
• Physical pain and suffering
• Property damage
• Rehabilitation and therapy
• Vehicle repair or replacement

How Can a Lawyer Help With My Rear-End Accident Claim?

The claims process after any auto accident can be overwhelming. Insurance companies are interested in protecting their bottom line and will frequently try to offer victims of rear-end car accidents less than they deserve for their injuries. It can be challenging to negotiate with them when you are still trying to recover and are facing the stress of bills, but you don’t have to do it alone. Our compassionate personal injury lawyers at Genco Injury Attorneys will assist you with every step of the process. We will fight to ensure you get full and fair compensation for your injuries. We offer a free consultation for your claim, so you have nothing to lose by contacting us today at 303-500-1376.