Read-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in Baltimore. While most of these accidents are, fortunately, minor, they can also be life-changing. At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we represent accident victims in holding the responsible party accountable. Contact our law office today at (410) 837-2144 for a free consultation with a Baltimore rear-end accident lawyer.
When you are rear-ended in an accident or, through no fault of your own, rear-end someone, you may be left with serious injuries and an inability to work.
You should not be left with the financial burden of your accident when someone else was negligent.
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How Our Baltimore Car Accident Lawyers Can Help with a Rear End Accident Case
At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand how an accident can change your life. You do not deserve financial uncertainty after a negligent driver causes an auto accident. Our law firm is here to help you fight for the fair compensation you deserve.
WGK Personal Injury Lawyers has three generations of personal injury attorneys in Baltimore who are dedicated to advocating for clients and fighting for justice. We have a combined century of experience fighting insurance companies with first-hand knowledge of the tactics insurance companies use.
When you hire our Baltimore personal injury lawyers to represent you, you can count on us to:
- Conduct a thorough investigation of your accident
- Clearly explain the strengths and weaknesses of your case and explain what you can expect
- Gather evidence to support your case
- Consult with experts when needed to reconstruct your accident, prove the extent of your injuries, and assess the value of your claim
- Identify the responsible parties
- Defend you against insurance company claims that you contributed to your accident
- Handle all administrative aspects of your case
- Negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
If we cannot reach a fair settlement offer with the insurance carrier, we are not afraid to take your case to court. We have spent over 40 years presenting cases before juries in Baltimore with a track record of securing large settlements and jury awards for our clients. Contact our Baltimore personal injury law firm today to schedule your free case review.
What Causes Rear-End Collisions in Baltimore?
It can be difficult to determine the true cause of any type of traffic accident as multiple factors may be to blame. With rear-end collisions, however, about 87% are caused by distracted drivers. Most rear-end crashes are caused by a driver who is distracted and does not notice the vehicle ahead at an intersection has slowed or stopped.
Distracted driving isn’t the only reason a rear-end crash may occur. Another common factor is tailgating or following too closely. This is considered aggressive driving in Maryland. It does not matter how fast the first vehicle was going if the following vehicle was driving too closely to brake in time to avoid a car crash.
Sometimes other factors affect rear-end collisions. Poor road conditions, such as ice, can inhibit a driver’s ability to stop. Multi-vehicle accidents may also cause a chain reaction that results in a rear-end collision.
The National Transportation Safety Board has estimated than 80% of injuries and deaths associated with rear-end crashes could be avoided with collision avoidance systems. This technology is available in a growing number of vehicles, but it isn’t standard or required. Front-crash prevention technology, especially systems that brake automatically, significantly reduce rear-end collisions.
Common Injuries in a Rear-End Accident
Rear-end collisions are less likely to cause fatalities than other types of collisions such as head-on and angled crashes. About 7.2% of collision fatalities involve rear-end crashes even though they make up 29% of collisions.
That does not mean rear-end motor vehicle accidents in Baltimore are not serious. Even a seemingly minor fender bender can cause serious injury, but high-speed accidents can cause life-changing injuries. Common injuries from a rear-end collision in Baltimore include:
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures
- Airbag Injuries
- Facial injuries
- Whiplash Injuries
- Seat belt injuries
- Chest Injuries
If you have suffered injuries in a rear-end crash caused by another driver, you should not be left with the financial burden of your treatment and recovery. A Maryland rear end accidents attorney at WGK Personal Injury Lawyers can help you pursue the fair compensation you deserve.
Rear-End Accident Statistics in Maryland
Rear-end crashes are the most common type of traffic collision across the United States. According to the NHTSA, around 29% of car accidents are rear-end crashes with 1.7 million rear-end collisions every year. Across the United States, these accidents injure 500,000 people and kill about 1,700 people. That’s 7.2% of all traffic fatalities.
In 2018, 511 people were killed in traffic accidents across Maryland, down 8.5% from the previous year.
Maryland Contributory Negligence & Your Accident Claim
Maryland is one of a handful of states that uses a contributory negligence system to assign liability in an accident. Under this system, fault is assigned and accident victims are barred from any recovery if they are at all at fault for the crash. Even if you only contributed 1% to the rear-end collision, you will not be able to recover any damages for your injuries.
Under the harsh contributory negligence system, if the other driver can show that you contributed to the crash at all, you will be barred from recovering anything for your injuries.
This harsh legal doctrine is unfair to accident victims who may have made a small error but are overwhelmingly not to blame. To be successful in your personal injury claim, you will need to show that the other driver was completely at fault for the accident.
This is why it’s crucial to work with an experienced Baltimore car accident lawyer to build your claim. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to gather evidence that proves liability and shows that you did not contribute to your crash.
It’s a common misconception that the following driver is always at fault automatically in a rear-end collision. The truth is a little more complicated. While it’s true that the following driver is usually at fault, there are some exceptions.
It’s generally presumed that the trailing vehicle is responsible for a rear-end collision for failing to maintain a space distance between vehicles to brake in time. This means that even if the lead vehicle stops suddenly or unexpectedly slows down, the following vehicle is expected to have enough distance to stop.
There are some scenarios in which the driver of the lead vehicle can be found at fault such as stopping suddenly to turn but failing to turn, non-functioning brake lights, or suddenly reversing. Poor road conditions or the involvement of other cars in a multi-vehicle crash can complicate liability too.
Damages Available After a Rear-End Collision in Baltimore
A rear-end collision can cause more than physical damage to your vehicle. You may be left with serious and painful injuries, a complicated recovery, large medical bills, and unpaid time off work. When the collision was caused by someone else, this financial burden should not be on you.
You may be entitled to recover several types of damages from the at-fault driver to make you as whole as possible. There are two broad types of damages that can be recovered: non-economic and economic damages.
What Are Economic Damages?
Economic damages have an intrinsic financial value. These damages are the easiest to quantify and define. Common economic damages after a collision include:
- Property damages
- Medical expenses, including any future anticipated medical bills associated with your injuries
- Lost wages during your recovery
- Reduced or lost earning capacity if you are disabled by the accident
- Lost benefits of employment such as insurance, pension contributions, and paid vacation
Depending on the severity of your injuries, an expert may be used to calculate your long-term economic damages.
What Are Non-Economic Damages?
Non-economic damages are harder to define. These are generally the emotional and psychological damages you suffered after your crash. Non-economic damages can include:
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A serious accident may result in non-economic damages that are higher than the economic damages. There is a cap of $875,000 on non-economic damages.
Contact a Car Crash Lawyer in Baltimore
Has a rear-end collision in Baltimore, MD left you with serious and life-changing injuries? You do not need to fight the insurance company on your own. At WGK Personal Injury Lawyers, we believe you should be focused on your recovery. Let us help protect your legal rights and fight for you.
Our family-run personal injury law firm has been fighting insurance companies for our clients for more than 40 years. Contact our dedicated legal team today to schedule a free consultation with a rear end accident lawyer in Baltimore to review your personal injury case. We are here to help you!
Types of Car Accidents
- Drunk Driving Accidents in Baltimore
- Hit and Run Accidents in Baltimore
- Lane-Change Accidents in Baltimore
- Left-turn Accidents
- U-turn
- Rear-End Collisions