Many people overlook the potential severity of rear-end car accidents in New London. They think of rear-end collisions as minor fender benders that are inconvenient, but not really serious. Unfortunately, in some circumstances, rear-end collisions can cause severe injuries.
If you or a loved one experienced serious injuries after being struck from behind, our skilled team of car accident attorneys from Polito & Harrington could help you navigate the complexities of a legal claim.
Injuries From Rear-End Collisions
While many people are fortunate to escape serious injuries in rear-end collisions, some people are not as lucky, particularly when there is a large size disparity between the vehicles. For instance, if a commercial truck strikes a small passenger sedan from behind, it could potentially crush the smaller vehicle and even force it into the vehicle in front of it.
Some rear-end collisions can cause serious injuries even when the resulting damage to both vehicles is not that severe. In most car accidents, people have some warning, even if it is just a split second or two before impact. However, when a car strikes you from the rear, you often have no idea what is happening, so you cannot take any sort of evasive action to avoid the crash. You also cannot take a moment or two to even brace your body for the impact. You face an increased risk of your head and neck rapidly moving forward in a quick acceleration and deceleration of the crash, which can cause you to experience debilitating whiplash and other types of back and neck pain.
Our seasoned New London attorneys understand how devastating it can be to try to recuperate from severe, life-altering injuries suffered in rear-end collisions. We could fight hard to help you recover compensation for your losses.
Is the Rear Car Always Responsible for a Rear-End Crash?
Rear-end crashes frequently occur on heavily congested roads, particularly in stop-and-go traffic.
Liability of the Trailing Driver
Many New London rear-end crashes occur because of the actions of the trailing driver. For instance, they often occur when a trailing driver operates their vehicle recklessly because they are in a rush, such as if they are speeding, tailgating, or weaving between lanes. Distracted driving can also cause a driver to fail to pay attention to what is happening in front of them, which could cause them to miss the sight of the car in front of them slowing down or stopping at a stop light.
Liability of the Lead Driver
Many people falsely assume that the trailing driver is always at fault for rear-end crashes. Sometimes, the lead driver bears some or even all of the responsibility for a rear-end collision. If a lead car suddenly stops for no apparent reason, they could be at fault. If a lead car is slow to accelerate after a traffic light turns green, that motorist could share fault for the accident with a trailing car who was too quick to accelerate. Fortunately, the court still allows you to pursue a lawsuit even if your actions contributed to the crash, as long as you were 50 percent or less to blame. In the scenario outlined above, a court could determine that you were 25 percent to blame for the crash due to your actions of failing to accelerate on time. You would be eligible to pursue 25 percent less in damages.
Our attorneys could help you understand how contributory negligence per Connecticut General Statutes § 52-572h could affect your recovery of damages.
Talk to a New London Attorney About Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end car accidents in New London can change your life physically, emotionally, and financially. Talk to our attorneys who could help you pursue compensation for your physical, emotional, and financial losses in a civil lawsuit.
