Atlanta Rear-end Accident Lawyer

Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Atlanta Help You Get Compensation

Rear-end car accidents are one of the most common types of crashes. They can happen on any kind of road, at any speed, or when stopped at a light. While any accident can be devastating, a rear-end crash can come with no warning at all, changing your life in seconds.

A rear-end collision can lead to serious damage to vehicles and to the passengers inside them. They can cause serious, costly injuries, that may lead to debilitating back and neck injuries, permanent incapacitation requiring long-term care, and even death. Survivors may be left with medical bills that keep mounting at a time they may be unable to work.

If you or a loved one was injured or someone has died in a rear-end accident, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses through insurance or a wrongful death lawsuit. Rear-end accidents are often preventable, and liability is typically very clear. If the driver behind you was following too closely and couldn’t stop before colliding with your vehicle for any reason, that driver is typically at fault for the accident and responsible for your damages.

Still, Georgia personal injury law is complicated; and even in a rear-end case, insurance companies will try to deny your claim, pay out the lowest amount possible, or even make it seem that you did something to contribute to the accident.

Fortunately, you do not have to fight this battle alone. There is help available from the experienced accident lawyers at The Stoddard Firm. Our firm has successfully provided legal assistance to accident victims for many years. You can count on us to handle all the legal hurdles involved with fighting for your rights and the financial compensation you deserve, so you can concentrate on your recovery.

We offer a free consultation to discuss the particulars of your case and determine the best way to move forward. There are no fees to you unless and until we win your case, so call our experienced and compassionate Atlanta lawyers today.

Why the Stoddard Firm?

How Our Rear-end Accident Lawyers Work for You

At The Stoddard Firm, our car accident attorneys have decades of legal experience, a winning track record, and a reputation for providing top-notch client service. For example, we have won $8 million and $15.95 million settlements for head injuries. We are prepared to start working for you immediately.

The Stoddard Firm employs a very simple formula:

• maintain a small case load
• spend extensive time and resources fact-finding to uncover the truth
• invest substantial energy and money to show both what happened and how the event has changed the client’s life.

When you retain our firm, we will:

• Meet with you to discuss how the accident happened, who the at-fault parties may be, and determine what your case should be worth
• Investigate the accident and gather evidence, such as videos from traffic cameras; police, ambulance, and medical reports; interviews from eyewitnesses, police officers, and first responders
• Handle all legal requirements, court appearances, and paperwork in a timely manner in accordance with Georgia law
• Hire experts to reconstruct the crash scene and testify on your behalf as to fault, the costs and effects of your injuries, and the care you will require into the future
• Handle all communications with insurance companies and negotiate for a fair settlement
• Build your case and take it to trial if necessary.

The sooner you have us on your side, the sooner we can begin to investigate and build your case while witnesses and evidence can still be found, so do not delay.

Rear-end Accident Lawyers Must Prove Negligence

While other crash types might often require investigations to determine who was at fault, rear-end collisions are usually cut and dried when it comes to liability. When drivers are distracted, fail to leave enough space between when following a vehicle, or don’t brake early enough to avoid a collision, they should be found negligent, responsible for that crash, and legally liable for the damages and costs that result.

However, this does not mean that you will receive fair compensation. Insurance companies often use tactics to lessen or deny payments to injured parties, such as tricking you to accept a lowball offer in return for a quick payment. Our attorneys expect this and know how to fight back against them.

To win your case, our attorneys must prove that another party, the defendant in the case, was negligent and at fault for causing your injuries. This means showing the existence legally of the following elements:

• Duty – The defendant had a duty of care not to harm you.
• Breach – The party breached that duty through actions or failure to act, such as by driving recklessly and rear-ending your vehicle.
• Cause – This breach caused your injuries.
• Damages – You suffered damages as a result.

Most of the time, the rear-ending driver is legally at fault. There are, however, scenarios in which the front driver could be at fault or when third parties contribute to the accident. In addition to the other driver who rear-ended you, defendants may include:

• The vehicle manufacturer, if the car or its parts were defective and failed and caused a sudden stop
• A road maintenance company that left debris in a road
• A municipality that failed to fix road problems or post warning signs for hazardous conditions.

Our attorneys would investigate thoroughly and use experts to identify all liable parties and hold them accountable, as they all may have insurance and assets that can go toward a settlement.

Damage Awards Our Rear-end Accident Attorneys May Recover

The term “damages” refers to both the losses and injuries you received and the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive from the parties you are suing, the defendants in the case. In a successful Georgia lawsuit, you may receive compensation for your damages that include:

1) Special Damages – for monetary losses that can be assigned a specific dollar amount, including:

• Current and future medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Lost wages
• Property damage.

2) General Damages – compensation to you for damages that do not have a specific dollar value but which negatively impact your life, including:

• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish and anxiety
• Loss of enjoyment of life.

3) Punitive Damages – for injuries that result from someone’s willful, wanton or malicious misconduct. Punitive damages are to punish the responsible party and to deter them from doing it again.

Damage award amounts can vary widely in an auto accident case, from the thousands to the millions, depending on the factors involved in your individual situation. Factors that will be considered in determining these amounts include:

• Your actual costs and monetary losses
• The severity and permanence of your injuries and whether they will require continuing care
• Your age, health, and physical condition before the accident
• Whether a death was involved
• Whether you will be able to work in the future and what your earning capacity would have been
• The availability of insurance coverage and assets of the defendants
• Whether a settlement can be negotiated or the matter has to go to trial
• The inclination of the individual judge and jury
• The skill of your attorneys in building and presenting your case.

There are no limits or caps to special or general damages you can receive in Georgia, and our rear-end attorneys will fight for the maximum settlement possible.

Rear-end Accident Attorneys Know Causes and Injuries from Crashes

The major cause of rear-end accidents is driver distraction and inattention on the part of the driver of the vehicle that crashes into the back of the other vehicle. Cell phones and texting are the most obvious distraction, but almost anything could threaten to cause an accident. A buzzing fly, a radio, or any other distraction that could pop up on the road could take a driver’s attention away from where it should be.

Here are a few of the most common forms of injury sustained in car accidents:

• Neck Injuries – Whiplash is the most common neck injury, although far more severe injuries are possible. Whiplash occurs when a person’s neck is jerked forward and back very quickly, which often strains ligaments.
• Leg and Knee Injuries – These can range from scrapes and bruises all the way up to crushed legs. If the vehicle gets crushed, there’s a high probability that legs will get crushed in the process.
• Broken Bones – Broken bones always require medical help. The most severe broken bone injuries are called “compound fractures,” in which the bone pierces the skin and protrudes from the rest of the body.
• Back Injuries – Back injuries can range in severity, but the most severe back injuries are to the spine itself. These injuries can lead to partial or total paralysis.
• Traumatic Brain injuries and Concussions – In a concussion, the brain is jarred and slams against the inside of the skull. Some concussions are fairly minor and will resolve on their own, given time and rest, while others require substantial medical treatment. Traumatic brain injuries are more serious and can lead to inability to communicate or function, paralysis, coma, and even death.

Call Our Rear-End Accident Attorneys in Atlanta for Help

If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision or any other vehicle or car accident caused by another driver’s negligence, you may be eligible for a personal injury claim that should at least cover medical bills, lost wages, and any other pain and suffering you may have sustained as a result of your injuries. However, it is never in your best interest to settle a car accident claim without first consulting with an experienced attorney.

The Stoddard Firm has years of experience handling accident lawsuits. Matt Stoddard, the founder of the Stoddard Firm, worked for years defending the world’s largest appliance manufacturers in serious injury and wrongful death product liability cases. As a result, he knows how companies and their insurers operate and how to deal with them to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Our firm will take the time to carefully examine the details of your accident and ensure that you are justly compensated for your losses. You can trust our team of Atlanta personal injury attorneys to provide personal attention and be there for you throughout the entire legal process, answering your questions and addressing your concerns. We always have your best interests at heart.

Don’t delay, as there are time limits for filing. According to Georgia code (title 9/chapter 3/3/9-3-33), there is a statute of limitations or deadline that is generally two years for filing a personal injury case. If you do not file within these time limits, the courts are likely to refuse to hear your case.