Ryan Zavodnick | June 14, 2024 | Car Accidents

Rear-End Collision Injuries and How You Can Recover

Rear-end accidents account for about a third of the accidents in the United States each year. Insurance companies and at-fault drivers claim rear-end crashes are minor accidents or “fender benders.”

There is nothing “minor” about a car accident. Rear-end collisions can cause severe injuries that result in financial and physical harm. If you’ve sustained rear-end collision injuries in Philadelphia, you could be entitled to compensation for your injuries.

Common Rear-End Collision Injuries

Rear-end accidents occur when a vehicle slams into the rear of another vehicle. The result could produce a chain reaction car accident, push the vehicle off the road, or cause the vehicle to collide with oncoming traffic. The injuries sustained in a rear-end accident depend on the circumstances of the crash.

Common rear-end accident injuries include:

The key to recovering from injuries caused by rear-end collisions is time and medical care. Prompt medical treatment can reduce the risk of complications. Follow your doctor’s treatment plan. Returning to work or normal activities before your doctor clears you could worsen your injuries and prevent a full recovery.

Even low-impact rear-end crashes could result in severe injuries. Knowing what to do after a Philadelphia rear-end accident can protect your health and your right to file a personal injury claim.

Steps to Take After a Rear-End Collision in Philadelphia, PA

If you are involved in a rear-end crash, it is essential you take steps to protect your legal rights. 

Things to do after a rear-end collision include:

  • Call the police to report the accident by calling 911. It is best to have an official accident report in case you need to file an insurance claim or personal injury claim.
  • If your injuries permit and it is safe to do, take photographs of the accident scene and the damage to the vehicles. Making a video is also wise.
  • Exchange information with the other drivers if the police do not investigate the crash.
  • Ask eyewitnesses and bystanders for their names and cell numbers.
  • Go to a doctor that day. Even if you feel okay, you could have delayed injury symptoms. Soft tissue injuries, rib fractures, whiplash, and head injuries may not show symptoms immediately after the crash.
  • Do not discuss the accident with anyone other than the police or attorney. Never admit fault for the crash until you speak with a lawyer.
  • Document your damages by keeping copies of all invoices and bills for expenses. Keep a journal detailing your pain and suffering.

Schedule a free consultation with a Philadelphia car accident lawyer as soon as possible. The best way to protect your rights is to understand them. A personal injury lawyer explains your legal options for recovering compensation for your damages.

Why Do Rear-End Collisions Happen in Philadelphia, PA?

Rear-end crashes happen because of the negligence of drivers. However, road conditions, weather, and defective/malfunctioning vehicle parts could also contribute to the cause of a rear-end accident.

Common causes of rear-end collisions include:

  • Following too closely (tailgating)
  • Speeding
  • Distracted driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Brake failures
  • Aggressive driving and road rage
  • Road hazards that require a driver to make a sudden stop
  • Congested traffic
  • Vehicle malfunctions or defects

Drivers can reduce the risk of rear-end collisions by increasing the distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them. Maintaining a safe following distance and avoiding distractions are the best ways to prevent a tragic rear-end accident.

Can I Sue for a Rear-End Collision in Philadelphia, PA?

Pennsylvania is a “choice no-fault” state for car accidents. Therefore, whether you can sue the other driver for a rear-end crash depends on the insurance coverage you chose when you purchased your car insurance policy.

Drivers are required to have minimum insurance coverage of:

  • PIP (no-fault) insurance coverage of $5,000
  • Property damage coverage of $5,000
  • Bodily injury coverage of $15,000 for injury to one person and $30,000 per accident

After a rear-end crash in Philadelphia, each driver files a claim with their PIP insurance provider. PIP insurance pays benefits for lost wages and medical expenses. Whether you can sue the other driver depends on your choice of full tort or limited tort insurance policies.

Limited tort insurance coverage tends to be less expensive than full tort. However, you cannot sue the other driver for damages unless you sustain severe injuries, including disfigurement and permanent impairment. Even then, you can typically only recover compensation for economic damages. Limited tort insurance coverage prevents you from seeking compensation for pain and suffering damages.

However, if you have full tort insurance coverage, you can pursue a lawsuit against the other driver regardless of the injuries you sustain. You can also receive non-economic damages for pain and suffering.

If you sue the other driver in a rear-end crash, you have the burden of proving fault for the car crash.

Who Is Responsible for Rear-End Collision Injuries in Philadelphia, PA?

Many assume that the driver who rear-ended the other car is always responsible for damages in a rear-end accident case. While this is often true, there could be exceptions.

Drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable care while operating a motor vehicle. If they breach the duty of care, they can be held financially liable for damages. Failing to maintain a safe following distance could be considered failing to use reasonable care. Therefore, the driver in the rear would be responsible for damages.

Most rear-end accident cases begin with filing an insurance claim. The insurance company investigates the crash to determine whether the insured is responsible for causing the accident. If the company accepts liability, the issue becomes how much your case is worth.

The insurance company may argue that you contributed to the cause of the accident. For example, you were distracted and slammed on your brakes, causing the insured driver to run into your vehicle. Comparative fault can reduce the amount you receive for a car accident case. Because your statements to the insurance adjuster could be intentionally twisted to imply fault, allowing a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer to handle communications with the insurance company may be in your best interests.

Get Help With a Rear-End Accident Case in Philadelphia, PA

Recovering from injuries caused by a rear-end collision takes time. Talk with a Philadelphia rear-end accident lawyer about your case. While you focus on your recovery, your attorney focuses on recovering a fair settlement for your car accident claim. 

Schedule Your Free Consultation With an Experienced Philadelphia Car Accident Attorney 

If you were injured in a car crash in Philadelphia, PA, and another driver was at fault, you may be able to recover compensation for your injuries. It’s crucial that you take steps to accurately describe the accident.

To discuss your car accident case further, contact an experienced car accident attorney for a free initial consultation. 

To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.