Rear-End Collisions on Long Island: Get Compensation for Your Injuries
If you have been in a rear-end collision on Long Island and sustained injuries in that accident, you need to take action to preserve your rights and seek compensation for your injuries.
These rear-end collisions are often the result of the negligence of the driver in the rear vehicle, including speeding, reckless driving, distracted driving, or driving while impaired. However, in some situations, the driver who was hit may be at fault. New York’s traffic laws can be complex, but they are designed to determine who is responsible for the accident.
If you’ve been rear-ended by another driver on Long Island, it is important that you contact our lawyers quickly to discuss your case, determine if you have a claim for damages, and take action before your time to bring a claim lapses.
Understanding New York Fault Laws in Rear End Collisions
In New York, the apportionment of fault in auto accidents hinges on “comparative negligence.” This legal standard allows the court to assign a percentage of fault to each involved party (if both parties bear some responsibility). In rear-end collisions, most accidents are the fault of the trailing driver.
However, circumstances exist where the leading driver could also share responsibility, such as sudden stopping without cause or malfunctioning brake lights. In this case, both may be assigned a percentage of liability, and their share of liability will reduce any award given. For example, if someone suffered $100,000 in damages and were found 20% at fault, their award would be reduced by 20% to $80,000. Partial fault does not prevent you from bringing a claim – it only impacts the amount you can be awarded.
For those injured in Nassau County, understanding these details is vital for a legal claim. Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. has experienced attorneys who can help you navigate these complexities and work towards a fair settlement or court judgment.
Steps to Take After a Rear-End Collision
Immediately following a rear-end collision, it is imperative to ensure everyone’s safety by moving to a safe location and contacting emergency services. Documenting the scene is also crucial; take photographs and videos of the vehicles, the road, weather conditions, any skid marks, property damage, and injuries.
Additionally, exchange information with the other driver, including names, contact details, insurance information, and vehicle details. Be mindful not to discuss fault or make statements that could be misinterpreted as admitting liability.
Medical Attention and Documenting Injuries
Seeking medical attention immediately after an accident is crucial, even if injuries seem minor. Some symptoms, particularly those related to concussions and internal injuries, might not appear immediately. Having a medical professional evaluate you and provide a medical record that helps establish your claim for damages is essential when seeking compensation for your injuries.
Be sure to keep a detailed record of all medical treatments, prescriptions, and visits to specialists. These documents form the basis of your claim, illustrating the extent of your injuries and their impact on your life. The Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. will use this information to build a robust case for you.
Common Types of Injuries from Rear-End Collisions
In addition to concussions and internal injuries, many suffer back injuries, particularly to the lower spine, which can result in chronic pain or mobility issues. Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are also potential outcomes, especially if the victim’s head strikes part of the vehicle. More severe impacts can lead to broken bones, lacerations, paralysis, or even more serious conditions that could require long-term medical care.
It’s crucial for anyone involved in a rear-end collision to monitor their health closely in the days and weeks following the accident and to seek medical attention if any new symptoms develop. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to a good recovery and play an important role in documenting the accident’s impact on any legal claims.
Potential Compensation for Victims of Rear-End Collisions
Victims of these accidents can pursue several types of compensation, depending on their injuries’ severity and their impact on their daily lives. Medical expenses are the most immediate concern, including emergency room visits, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, and any long-term care needed.
Lost wages are another critical area of compensation, especially if injuries prevent the victim from returning to work, either temporarily or permanently. Compensation can also cover loss of future earning capacity if the victim cannot continue in the same job or career path due to their injuries.
Pain and suffering is also compensable, though more difficult to quantify. This includes compensation for physical pain as well as emotional and psychological trauma. In cases of severe or permanent injuries, victims may also receive compensation for loss of enjoyment of life, which acknowledges the impact of the injury on reducing the victim’s ability to enjoy daily activities and life pleasures that were once taken for granted.
In sum, rear-end collisions can result in significant physical, financial, and emotional burdens, but victims are not without recourse. With the experienced legal guidance of the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C., we can assert your rights and seek the full compensation you are entitled to receive under New York law.
Contact the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. to Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one has been involved in a rear-end collision in Nassau County, don’t wait to seek legal help. Time is of the essence, and early legal intervention can be crucial in securing the compensation you need to recover. Contact the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. today at (516) 294-5050 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced personal injury attorneys.
We offer personalized service, keeping you informed throughout the process and ensuring your case receives the attention it deserves. Our track record speaks for itself, with numerous successful settlements and judgments for our clients in Nassau County and beyond.
We are here to help you through this challenging time and to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve. Remember, there is no fee unless we win your case, so you have nothing to lose by contacting our team for help.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions and How To Prove Fault
Rear-end collisions are far more common than head-on, sideswipe, and angle collisions. They account for about 3.7 million car accidents each year or roughly 40% of all car crashes. If you’re ever involved in one, consider calling a car accident lawyer in Mineola, NY, for assistance.
But first, learn more about the dangers of rear-end collisions and find the answer to the question, “What is the cause of rear-end collisions?” By becoming more informed on these types of car accidents, you may improve your chances of proving fault when filing a lawsuit against a negligent driver.
How Dangerous Are Rear-End Collisions?
A rear-end collision is a type of car accident that occurs when one vehicle drives into the back of another vehicle. In many cases, the vehicle struck from behind is stopped, though there are instances in which this vehicle may be traveling at a low speed or even driving the speed limit when hit from behind.
Although rear-end collisions are prevalent in the U.S., they usually cause less property damage, injuries, and deaths than other types of car accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that these crashes are only responsible for about 7.5% of the fatal car accidents that occur annually.
Still, some rear-end collisions can be very harmful to vehicles and their occupants, especially when the cars, trucks, and SUVs that run into the backs of other vehicles are traveling at high speeds. They can also be extremely harmful when the drivers who are hit don’t see vehicles coming up behind them so quickly, leaving them with no time to brace for impact.
What Causes Rear-End Collisions?
One of the main reasons rear-end collisions are so common in this country is that many different factors can cause them. Tailgating, for example, has become a big problem on many American highways and roads, with one study suggesting more than three-fourths of drivers tailgate. If you ever follow too closely behind another driver and they have to make a sudden stop, you might run right into the back of them if you can’t slam on your brakes fast enough to avoid a collision.
This is just one of the common reasons for rear-end collisions. Other answers to the question, “What causes rear-end collisions?” include:
- Distracted driving
- Weather conditions
- Brake failure and other forms of mechanical failure
- Drunk driving
- Road rage
Who Is Liable for Rear-End Collisions?
In the aftermath of car accidents, police officers are normally left to determine fault. This can be tricky in some cases since it’s not always apparent which drivers should assume legal liability for crashes.
Rear-end collisions are a little different since driver negligence is often assigned to the driver of the vehicle that ran into the back of another vehicle. Even if they weren’t speeding or breaking any other traffic laws, this driver would typically have a tough time convincing police officers they weren’t to blame for these accidents.
That said, there are times when the driver hit from behind during a rear-end collision might share some or even assume all of the legal liability in this type of crash. If, for instance, a driver takes part in so-called “brake checking” when someone is following closely behind them and it leads to an accident and injury claims in court later, they could receive the majority of the blame for a rear-end collision.
How Can You Prove Fault in Rear-End Collisions?
Proving fault in rear-end collisions isn’t usually as difficult as in other car accidents. Police officers will begin by speaking with those involved in rear-end collisions to find out exactly what happened from the perspectives of both drivers.
From there, police officers will also analyze the scene of a rear-end collision to look for telltale signs of what went on during it. They’ll check for things like skid marks left behind on the road by a driver who slammed on their brakes before running into the back of another vehicle. They’ll also try to determine the angle at which a driver ran into the bumper on the back of another vehicle to see if they attempted to avoid a collision.
You can also work to prove fault in a rear-end collision by hiring a car accident attorney capable of launching their own investigation into your crash. They can evaluate some of the same evidence police officers do while searching for witnesses they can talk to and even bring in trusted car accident authorities to explain who was at fault for a rear-end collision and why.
Contact Us To File a Car Accident Lawsuit After Being Involved in a Rear-End Collision
If you were involved in one of the many rear-end collisions recorded each year, consider working with the Law Office of Frank J. Cassisi, P.C. to file a lawsuit. We can investigate your crash to determine what happened during it while figuring out how to prove fault based on the circumstances surrounding your collision. Call (516) 294-5050 today to schedule a case evaluation following a rear-end collision on Long Island.
FAQs
Find answers to other questions you might have about rear-end collisions below.
Why Are Rear-End Collisions So Common?
Rear-end collisions are so common because of all the things that can cause them. Everything from distracted driving and speeding to brake failure and tailgating can lead to these collisions occurring, as they do daily on roads nationwide.
Where Do Rear-End Collisions Often Occur?
Rear-end collisions often occur at stop signs, red lights, and when drivers are sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic. While they tend to happen at slower speeds, some rear-end accidents also occur on highways at higher speeds.
How Can You Benefit From Filing a Car Accident Lawsuit After a Rear-End Collision?
You can benefit from filing a car accident lawsuit after a rear-end collision by reaching a fair settlement with a defendant during pre-trial negotiations or by taking your case to trial and earning a judgment from a judge or jury.
