Rear End Car Accident in California

California Rear End Car Accident Attorneys

Rear end car accidents are the most commonly occurring vehicle accident. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, nearly 2.5 million motor vehicle collisions happen each year, and almost 30% of those are rear-end collisions. About 950,000 of these, especially if it is a truck rear end car accident, lead to serious injuries necessitating permanent or long term medical treatment.

Unfortunately, despite rear impact collisions being an extremely common occurrence, victims tend to receive lowball or no compensation from insurance companies without legal representation. Injuries in rear end motor collisions tend to be delayed, and quickly settling with insurance before realizing the severity of your situation forfeits your right to claim your deserved compensation in court.

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle rear end accident, it is imperative to seek expert legal advice from a California personal injury attorney before talking to an insurance company. Braff Law Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers specialize in cases just like this. We have over 80 law firm locations across California in Los Angeles, San Diego, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, San Jose, and more. Submit a FREE case review form or call us at (213)-370-2483 for a FREE case consultation to find out how much your California rear end car accident case is really worth.

$1.1 M

Car Accident

$975 K

Construction Accident

$750 K

Car Accident

$360 K

Motorcycle Accident

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Our expert California personal injury attorneys have secured millions in compensation for clients, certifying our reputation as trusted Rear End Car Accident Attorneys.

Contact Braff Law Firm in San Diego, Los Angeles, Fresno, San Francisco, Sacramento, Long Beach, San Jose, and across California today at (213) 370-2483 or check our website to set up your personal injury case consultation FREE of charge.

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Why are Rear End Collisions So Common?

A rear-end collision is when one vehicle going forward hits the back of another vehicle, often stationary, in front of it. This tends to describe two cars, but it also includes motorcycle rear end accidents, truck rear end accidents, or other vehicles such as a train running into the end of another preceding train on the same track.

Common Scenarios Leading to Rear End Car Accidents

1. Tailgating

Tailgating is when a vehicle drives dangerously close to the one ahead of them, which can easily lead to a rear end accident if the person ahead stops or slows down, even in a reasonable manner. This is because the driver behind typically cannot see very far ahead, since their peripheral vision is obscured by the vehicle in front. It is safe driving practice to leave at least 2-3 seconds of space between yourself and the driver ahead.

2. Bumper to Bumper Traffic

Bumper to bumper traffic describes cars being so close to each other that they are nearly touching each other. This happens during a traffic jam, or colloquially rush hour, which is on weekday mornings from 7am to 10am and afternoons from 4pm to 7pm when people go to or get off from work or school. This leads to a lot of stop-and-go traffic, and the close proximity with constant acceleration and deceleration can unintentionally cause a rear ending.

3. Aggressive Driving

This includes behaviours like speeding in heavy traffic, brake checking, weaving in and out of traffic, road rage, blocking cars trying to pass or change lanes, changing lanes without signaling, and more. It is notable that brake checking, which is when the driver ahead suddenly slams their brakes without real cause, is an instance where they will have more fault than the rear driver. Otherwise, the driver ahead is typically favoured and it is the rear driver that hits the other person, especially if they are stationary, tends to be at-fault.

4. Poor weather conditions

Poor weather conditions such as rain, ice, fog, wind and snow can impair drivers by obscuring their vision on the road and skidding unintentionally. Due to loss of traction and reduced visibility, it can be harder to judge safe distances and the vehicle may not respond with the intended input, making the driver lose control.
Daniel Sagal Braff Law Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers

Get Your Injury Case Reviewed for FREE

If you were hurt in an accident in California due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to seek compensation through a personal injury claim.

Here at Braff Law Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re committed to standing by your side, guiding you throughout the legal process and helping you obtain the justice you deserve. We’re here for you, anytime 24/7, ready to help.

What to Do After a Rear-Impact Car Crash

What to Do After a Rear-Impact Car Crash

As with any car accident, you should document evidence and seek medical care if needed. In the case of pursuing a lawsuit, it is imperative that you have records every step of the way to substantiate your case and build a track record to protect yourself.

Call first responders and obtain contact information of other drivers or witnesses.

First responders include police and paramedics. They provide documentation of the incident occurring and impartial third party statements, which can hold more weight than one-sided witness testimonies. It is still however useful to have as much evidence as possible. Other witnesses may also have dashcam footage from different angles, which is invaluable hard evidence in a rear-end accident case.

How Much Compensation Can Rear-End Accident Victims Get in California?

The amount of compensation you receive in a rear end car accident depends on a few key factors.

Severity of Injury

Especially if there is hardware inserted and permanent or long term lifestyle detriments

Property Damage

Your car will have decreased in value depending on the damage incurred.

Insurance Policy

Most drivers have car insurance that should cover bodily injury or property damage. If they don’t, we can look at other options, such as a personal lawsuit against the at-fault driver or determining other liable parties.

Insurance companies are trained to downplay your claims and settle with a minimal offer. Don’t go through this process alone. While you focus on your health and recovering, our personal injury lawyers can help you navigate the complex process of insurance claims and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.

Recent Notable Rear-Impact Car Accident Cases

 $150,000

Injured v. New York City Truck Driver

A plaintiff was rear-ended by a truck driver while stationary at a red light and suffered life changing injuries including a herniated disc and tears in his knees and shoulders. These are typical injuries from rear-end car collision cases, and verdicts can range anywhere from $25,000 to over $1,000,000 depending on preexisting susceptibility to them.

$65,000,000

Family of 3 v. Tractor-Trailer Driver

This husband, wife, and 3-year-old daughter died after a devastating rear-end collision by a tractor-trailer driver from Missouri. The family’s estate sued for wrongful death against the driver and his employer for negligence. They alleged he had followed too closely and violated regulations for driving fatigue and maximum driving time. $65,000,000 was awarded to the family estate by the City of St. Louis jury.

$3,465,000

Truck Driver v. Truck Driver

A single mother with a teenage daughter was t-boned on the bus by a police vehicle and sustained multiple injuries to her neck, shoulder and ankle. She was seated near the middle of the bus and the road was slick with rain from earlier in the day. Upon collision, she slammed into the seat in front of her and was whiplashed backwards. Both parties claimed to have a green light, but eventually settled on 3,000,000.

$380,000

Injured v. San Diego Driver

A client was rear ended in San Diego during rush hour traffic on the highway. This collision caused a neck injury that resulted in chronic pain, and botox injections to treat frequent migraines. The initial offer by the insurance company was only $23, 400. However, after moving forward with the case to secure the deserved compensation for the pain and suffering and medical expenses, it settled at $380,000.

What is your Rear-Impact Car Accident Lawsuit really worth?

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What Our Clients Say

Ron P. ★★★★★ I was facing a complex legal issue and felt overwhelmed until I reached out to Braff Law. Their team provided me with expert guidance and support, alleviating much of my stress.Ha S. ★★★★★ Working with Braff Law was a refreshing experience compared to my past encounters with law firms. They were transparent about the process and kept me informed at every stage. Highly Recommend!Adriana R. ★★★★★ Very helpful quick response thank you!Isaac F. ★★★★★ I saw some great reviews for Braff Injury Law Firm online and decided to hire them for my case. Thank you to Elan for his work.Linda B. ★★★★★ Thank you for the fantastic service and comfort you gave us during this unfortunate time. You always made our days more hopeful and brighter. We are thrilled with the result, and can't thank you enough. Appreciate the hard work!!Kyle T. ★★★★★ Braff Law goes the extra mile to help their clients. They treat you as a person instead of a paycheck. They fight for you and help you get the right care that you deserve. They are the best at what they do! 5 stars to the whole team at Braff.Elliot J. ★★★★★ After I had my accident, I was very unaware what to do, what not to say to the insurance company, and how to proceed. One thing I learned is, never deal with the insurance company directly. If you want to get the maximum compensation for your injuries, call a personal injury attorney!! I'm very glad I called these guys over anyone else. They are experts at what they do!!!Harrison P. ★★★★★ In my opinion the most compassionate group of lawyers in California. Thank You for your help.js_loader

What to know after a Rear End Car Accident

Rear-end car accidents tend to have delayed injuries, which insurance companies like to argue as preexisting or simply regular degeneration due to age. Their business model is for profit– not your protection and best interest, as a legal representative would fight for.

Be wary of some common excuses they use to justify undercutting your deserved compensation:

  • Arguing injuries as preexisting or degenerative (due to natural aging)
  • Blaming the rear-impact car accident victim
  • Delaying the insurance claiming process
  • Downplaying the severity of injuries
  • Challenging liability
  • False sense of urgency by lowballing and saying “this is our best offer”
  • Asking for a statement and spinning it against you
The car accident attorneys at Braff Law Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers are experts in countering typical car insurance methods effectively. We want to maximize YOUR compensation and get the justice you deserve. Having legal representation and allowing us to negotiate on your behalf can save the headache and allow you to focus on recovering.
Daniel Machado Braff Lawyer

Frequently Asked Questions

In California, the statute of limitations for a rear end car accident lawsuit is 2 years. This means you can still pursue it as long as it’s within 2 years since the day of the crash.

Yes. It is also notable that you should see a doctor some time after the accident if pain arises anyways too, since rear end accidents tend to have delayed injuries. Insurance companies may try to undercut your claim by saying your injury is pre existing and unrelated to the accident. Documentation, creating a plan to recover and showing up for your health regularly is important for building your case.
In California there is use of comparative negligence. This means that even if you are partially or even majority at fault, you only have to pay out the amount that you caused.  For example, if a California driver is 20% at fault, they can claim 80% of their total damages. On the other hand, if you are 70% at fault, the other party would have to cover their own 30% for their percentage of fault. 
Do not take the initial settlement from your insurance company. They are trained to lowball and undervalue your situation, and pressure you into taking a lower payout. Especially if you have been heavily injured, your case may be worth much more than their initial number. Injuries from rear end collisions also tend to be delayed, making it particularly important to wait and gather more information. Seek legal advice and medical documentation. Our expert lawyers can also refer you to specialized doctors for your rear impact car accident case.
For rear end car accidents, the severity of your injury and pain and suffering are huge factors in increasing your compensation. There is also the factor of property damage to your car, how it can depreciate in value, as well as the loss of income as a result of the accident and future. 

Get your Case Reviewed for FREE by a Motor Vehicle Accident Injury Lawyer Today

If you’ve been hurt as a result of a negligent driver in a rear-end vehicle accident, our personal injury lawyers at Braff Law can help you claim the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies will try to settle your case as soon as possible, so that you forfeit your right to pursue the case in court. This is particularly detrimental for the exceedingly common rear end car accident victim, since injuries tend to be delayed. Closing a case shortly after its occurrence can lead to losing out on thousands of dollars that you deserve.

If you feel like you’re being taken advantage of and need someone to fight for you, contact Braff Law Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers today at (213)-370-2483 for a FREE consultation. Alternatively, you can click on our FREE form for a case review, where we can assess your situation. Rest assured that our skilled personal injury lawyers are accessible on a contingency fee basis– which means you only pay us if we win your rear-end car accident case. This way, you can focus on taking care of your health without being concerned about the financial losses. Click below to start your injury claim and find out how much your case is really worth.

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