If you were injured in a rear-end accident, a Philadelphia rear-end accident attorney at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
Our attorneys have over eight decades of combined experience helping victims throughout Philadelphia, Pennsylvania get the compensation they deserve after car accidents. We’ve recovered more than $50 million for our clients, and we’re ready to help you.
Our experienced car accident lawyers know how to respond after a rear-end collision to avoid having the insurance company dismiss the claim as a simple “fender bender” or “minor” accident. We offer a free consultation, so call now to schedule yours at (215) 875-7030.
How Our Philadelphia Rear-End Accident Attorneys Can Help After Your Collision
At Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers, we focus exclusively on personal injury and workers’ compensation cases. This laser focus has allowed us to develop the skills and insight necessary to recover maximum compensation for our clients.
We have been providing successful legal representation for decades, with trust and reliability as the backbone of that representation. We give our clients personalized attention. With us, you deal directly with your attorney and get constant updates throughout your case.
If you choose us to represent you in a Philadelphia rear-end accident claim, you can count on us to:
- Investigate the claim thoroughly to identify the factors that contributed to the accident and the other driver’s liability
- Talk to witnesses who observed the accident
- Gather all available evidence
- Talk to you to understand every way the accident has affected your life so that we can demand maximum compensation on your behalf
- Handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance company
- Do everything in our power to help you recover maximum compensation
If you want a strong ally in your corner, contact our Philadelphia, PA law firm today to get started on your claim.
How Common Are Rear-End Accidents in Philadelphia, PA?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end accidents are the most common type of motor vehicle accident, with 29% of all crashes being rear-end collisions. Approximately 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur every year, resulting in an average of 1,700 fatalities and 500,000 injuries.
The 2020 Pennsylvania Crash Facts & Statistics report prepared by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation states that 18.6% of all motor vehicle accidents in the state were rear-end collisions. For the year, there were 19,336 rear-end accidents, which resulted in 82 deaths.
In 2020, 63% of motor vehicle accidents in Philadelphia County resulted in injury or death. In fact, nearly 15% of all fatal crashes in the state in 2020 occurred in Philadelphia County.
Many rear-end accidents occur at intersections.
Some of the most dangerous intersections throughout Philadelphia include:
- Fifth St. and Olney Ave.
- Broad St. and Race St.
- Grant Ave. and Southwest 49th St.
- Grant Ave. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- Red Lion Rd. and Roosevelt Blvd.
- Market St. and 11th St.
- Market St. and 40th St.
Contact us today if you were injured in a rear-end collision in Philadelphia, PA.
Overview of Rear-End Accidents
If you were involved in a rear-end accident, here are some of the most important things you should know about these collisions:
What Is a Rear-End Accident?
A rear-end accident occurs when the front of one vehicle collides with the rear of another vehicle.
What Are the Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents?
Common causes of rear-end accidents include:
- Distractions, including talking on a cell phone, texting, adjusting car controls, children, pets, eating, and drinking
- Tailgating
- Intoxication
- Road defects
Most rear-end accidents occur because of driver inattention.
What Are Common Injuries Following Rear-End Accidents?
Even when vehicles involved in a rear-end accident impact at low speeds, serious injuries can still result, including:
- Disc herniation, when the spine compresses or discs become dislocated at the base of the spinal column
- Whiplash caused by the violent jerking of the victim’s body back and forth during the collision
- Facial injuries caused when the victim’s face smashes into the steering wheel or other hard surfaces, sometimes resulting in disfiguring injuries, fractures, or permanent scarring
- Burn injuries caused by the deployment of airbags
These serious injuries can result in expensive medical bills due to hospitalization, surgery, and follow-up medical care. A Philadelphia rear-end accident lawyer can help you pursue the compensation you deserve after being hurt by another person’s negligence.
Who Is Liable for a Rear-End Accident in Pennsylvania?
In most cases, the driver in the rear is considered at fault for the accident. This is because Pennsylvania law requires drivers to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front of them. If they follow too closely and do not have time to stop to avoid a collision, they are usually found at fault.
However, there are times when the driver in front is responsible for the accident. If you were the rear driver, in order to recover compensation for the accident, you need to show that the front driver was negligent and created a hazard that could not reasonably be avoided.
Some times when the front driver may be to blame include:
- The front driver suddenly changed lanes directly in the path of the rear vehicle
- The vehicle had broken or inoperable brake lights
- The driver in front intentionally tried to get hit or was “tapping” on the brakes
- The front driver was intoxicated
- The front vehicle had a mechanical failure
- The front driver was reversing at the time of impact
Proving who is at fault in a rear-end accident will often require conducting a thorough investigation and gathering evidence to establish liability.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Philadelphia Car Wreck Lawyers
If you were injured in a rear-end accident, the legal team at Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers can help. Contact us online or call us to schedule a free consultation.