Have you been injured in a rear-end car accident in St. Louis? If so, you could be left with severe injuries, lingering pain, mounting medical bills, and a dwindling bank account. But you don’t have to face these challenges alone because the personal injury attorneys of Sumner Law Group, LLC, are ready to help.
Depending on what happened, you could be owed compensation from the driver who hit you and their insurance company. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to learn how we can support you as you demand the recovery you deserve.
What Is a Rear-End Collision?
A rear-end collision is a car accident that occurs when the front end of one vehicle crashes into the back of the vehicle ahead of it. Rear-end collisions can happen when a driver fails to slow down or stop promptly but may also occur due to chain reactions in which unsuspecting drivers are struck from behind and subsequently pushed into the vehicles in front of them.
According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end crashes are consistently the most common type of traffic collision throughout the United States. In a single recent year, nearly one-third of all motor vehicle accidents were rear-end collisions. That year, 2,194,000 rear-end crashes occurred throughout the U.S., resulting in 595,000 reported injuries and 2,346 fatalities.
Some of the most common contributing factors in St. Louis rear-end accidents include:
- Distracted driving – Drivers who are preoccupied with text messages, conversations, or other distractions may fail to notice when the vehicles ahead of them slow down or come to a stop.
- Impaired or fatigued drivers – When motorists are drunk, high, or even severely fatigued, they tend to have difficulties with reaction time, depth perception, and spatial awareness. Together, these impairments make it harder to accurately gauge distance and speed, which can lead to rear-end collisions.
- Reckless driving – Drivers who engage in reckless behaviors such as speeding, tailgating, and lane weaving have less time to react to road hazards and changes in traffic flow, which can increase their risk of causing rear-end wrecks.
- Defective car parts – If a critical component such as a tire or brake component is not functioning promptly, it can contribute to a dangerous loss of driver control and serious rear-end accidents.
- Poor road conditions – When government agencies neglect the roads in their jurisdiction, unsafe conditions such as large potholes or missing road signs can contribute to loss of control and subsequent rear-end collisions.
Who Is to Blame for a Rear-End Crash in St. Louis?
Many people assume that the driver of the vehicle at the rear is automatically at fault in any rear-end car collision. After all, Missouri law specifies that each driver is responsible for maintaining a safe following distance behind others and staying in control of their vehicle at all times.
In theory, following at a safe distance should always provide the time and space drivers need to avoid colliding with the vehicles ahead of them. But in reality, any of the following parties could be partially or solely at fault for a rear-end crash in St. Louis:
- The driver of the vehicle at the rear, if their negligent actions were primarily responsible for the collision
- The driver of the vehicle ahead, if they get rear-ended after cutting off another driver, “brake-checking” another driver, or unexpectedly stopping for no reason
- Another road user – such as a negligent motorist, cyclist, or pedestrian – that requires the lead driver to slam on the brakes
- The negligent manufacturer of a defective vehicle component or system
- A negligent government agency responsible for local road design, construction, and maintenance
Common Injuries from Rear-End Collision Car Accidents
Being rear-ended can result in various injuries that range from painful to life-threatening. At Sumner Law Group, LLC, we frequently represent people who’ve suffered the following injuries in rear-end collisions:
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Partial or total paralysis
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Dislocated or fractured bones
- Abdominal injuries and internal bleeding
- Amputation and loss of limb
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Thermal, chemical, and friction burns
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Other emotional and psychological injuries
How Are Injured Victims Compensated for Losses?
You may be wondering about the average settlement for a rear-end car accident claim. It’s important to understand that, just like no two accidents are alike, every injury settlement is also different.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you could be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical costs associated with the treatment of crash-related injuries
- Lost wages from any time you missed at work while you were recovering
- The estimated costs of future medical care you will likely need
- Projected losses in your future earning potential if you become disabled
- Crash-related pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- Incidental expenses, such as the costs of traveling to medical appointments
- Vehicle damage
How Our St. Louis Rear-End Collision Lawyers Can Help
The knowledgeable personal injury attorneys of Sumner Law Group, LLC, can help you seek the recovery you deserve after a rear-end collision by:
- Explaining your rights and helping you explore your legal options
- Conducting an independent investigation into the rear-end collision
- Communicating with the insurance company and other parties on your behalf
- Obtaining medical records, accident reports, and other helpful evidence
- Interviewing eyewitnesses and experts for valuable testimony
- Managing important documents and deadlines on your behalf
- Filing insurance claims to demand the compensation you are owed
- Taking your case to court if the insurance company refuses to pay what’s fair
- Representing you at trial and all the way through to appeal, if necessary
Contact Our St. Louis Rear-End Car Accident Lawyers Today
The St. Louis rear-end car accident lawyers of Sumner Law Group, LLC are ready to help you seek the compensation you’re owed. Contact our firm today to learn more about your legal options in a free initial case review.
