Fort Worth Rear End Accident Attorney
A rear-end accident can be—literally—one of the most jarring experiences of your life. When you are struck from the rear, you may suffer serious neck and back injuries as your neck is “snapped” violently forward, then backward. Whiplash is a very real—and often very severe—injury that can change your life for months, years, or even forever.
If you are unable to return to work for a period of time, you may also be unable to pay your normal monthly bills. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious about your future, stressed, and even angry at the other driver is normal. You need serious help at a time like this, from a serious Fort Worth rear-end accident attorney. The attorneys at Noteboom—The Law Firm, have been helping people in similar situations since 1982 and we can help you.
Why Should You Choose a Fort Worth Rear End Accident Attorney from Noteboom—The Law Firm?
When you’ve been hit by a negligent driver and are now dealing with injuries resulting from your rear-end accident, Noteboom—The Law Firm, is the firm to call. Since 1982 we have been helping those suffering catastrophic injuries from automobile accidents. We have a deep understanding of your current situation and know the best ways to help you get your life back on track. Our firm takes a unique, team-based approach to each and every case. We believe in you, your family, and your future.
Our attorneys will investigate your case exhaustively in order to secure the very best settlement possible. It may take a very long time for you to get back to your “normal” life, but the Noteboom attorneys can ensure you get the medical treatments you need and will help you get your financial future back on track. Having a law firm that supports you, encourages you, and helps you through a difficult time can make a huge difference in the outcome of your rear-end accident.
How Do Rear End Accidents Occur?
The National Law Review found that rear-end collisions account for almost a third of all traffic accidents that result in serious injury, and seven percent of all traffic-related fatalities. While we often think of rear-end accidents as “minor,” in fact they can cause severe injury. A rear-end accident occurs when the vehicle in the back hits the vehicle in front of them.
The state of Texas operates under comparative negligence, meaning both parties could be assigned a percentage of the fault. Suppose the vehicle behind you was tailgating you on a busy Friday afternoon in heavy commuter traffic. You glance down for a second to look at your phone, and when you look back up you are dangerously close to the car in front of you.
You hit your brakes, and the tailgater in the back runs into you. In this case, investigators won’t necessarily know that you glanced at your phone, so the other driver may be assigned 100 percent of the fault for tailgating and causing an accident. However, if there is evidence that you were on your phone, you could be assigned a small percentage of the fault for contributing to the collision. Rear-end accidents are almost always caused by driver negligence, usually the result of tailgating or distracted driving. Other causes of rear-end accidents include impaired driving, fatigued driving, speeding, and aggressive driving.
Drivers have a duty to focus on the road ahead and to allow plenty of space between themselves and the car in front of them. In congested traffic conditions, drivers are required to allow for sudden stops. Even a relatively minor rear-end accident can result in serious back and neck injuries. You could find yourself in constant pain, with limited mobility. Rear-end accidents can also cause brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and chest injuries.
Where Do Most Rear-End Accidents Occur in Fort Worth?
Generally speaking, the most common places where rear-end accidents occur include:
- Stoplights
- Stop signs
- Two-lane roads when the driver stops to make a left turn
- On highways when traffic slows during rush hour
- In construction zones
More specifically, in the Fort Worth area, rear-end accidents are especially common in the following areas:
- Bryant Irvin and West Vickery
- I-35 W and East Berry Street
- North Beach Street and Western Center
- H-199 and West Weatherford
What Should I Do Following a Rear-End Accident?
If a rear-end accident occurs in congested traffic, it can be difficult to get your car off the road and exchange information with the driver who rear-ended you. Despite the difficulty, if the cars are driveable, this is what you need to do. Staying in the middle of an intersection or on a busy freeway or highway can result in additional accidents. Once you are safely out of the way of traffic, call 911. It is crucial that you have a police report to document your accident. Medical attention should be sought for all those involved in the accident.
Exchange information with the other driver, and if you are able, take photos with your cell phone of both vehicles, the area, and anything else that might help your attorney prove the other driver was liable. Once you are home, write down every detail you can remember regarding the accident—the smallest detail could turn out to be extremely important. Contact your own insurance company to let them know about the accident, then contact a knowledgeable Fort Worth rear-end accident attorney.
Who Is at Fault in a Multi-Car Rear-End Accident?
Multi-car rear-end accidents can be much more difficult to sort out. When a car in the rear strikes the car in front of them, pushing them into the car in front of them, and so on, it is like a chain reaction. Even if your injuries are not severe—and they can be—determining who is at fault for the accident can be complex. While the car in the rear is most often determined to be at fault for a rear-end accident, this is certainly not true in all rear-end accidents.
Traffic could be slowed to a crawl during rush hour when a car in front hits their brakes, causing the person in the back of them to hit them, and the driver in the back of that person to hit the car in front of them, and so on. Even though the driver(s) in the rear have an obligation to keep a reasonable distance between their car and the car in front of them, this simply doesn’t always happen when traffic is congested and moving slowly.
Your accident could be the result of multiple tailgaters causing a series of crashes, one speeder causing a series of crashes, or multiple distractions causing a series of crashes. If the police are unable to assign blame to any one driver, it is even more important that you contact a highly experienced Fort Worth rear-end accident attorney from Noteboom—The Law Firm, to ensure your rights are fully protected.
Getting the Help You Need from Noteboom—The Law Firm
If you have sustained serious injuries following a rear-end collision that was not your fault, the Noteboom legal team can help. You may have sustained a severe neck or back injury or a serious brain injury and are unable to work or keep up with your medical expenses. Our attorneys are ready to ensure that the insurance company pays you an equitable amount for your injuries and that you receive the medical treatment you need to put your life back together. Contact Noteboom—The Law Firm today.