Rear-end auto collisions can be especially jarring since they often happen unexpectedly, and you do not see them coming. Depending on the speed at which these wrecks occur, injuries can range from mild soft tissue damage to more catastrophic harm.
When someone else’s negligence causes you harm, you should not have to foot the bill. At Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC our experienced car wreck attorneys have the expertise you need to pursue the maximum amount of compensation to cover your injuries and losses after getting hurt in a rear-end accident in Bloomfield. Contact us today to speak with one of our dedicated legal advocates about your next steps.
Common Causes of Rear-End Collisions
While a rear-end crash can occur under various circumstances, tailgating is one of the primary causes of these wrecks. When someone travels too closely to the vehicle in front of them, there is no allowance for traffic suddenly slowing, an obstacle in the road, or other things that could make the driver in front have to suddenly slow down or stop.
Driver inattention is also a major contributing factor to rear-end accidents in Bloomfield and throughout New Jersey. Cell phone use, including talking, texting, and taking photos, is specifically notorious for causing auto wrecks. Other distractions include eating, interacting with passengers, putting on makeup, and reaching into the floorboard or backseat for items.
Additionally, many rear-end wrecks take place in neighborhoods where there is an abundance of traffic lights and stop signs, as well as on ramps and service roads.
Is the Car in the Back Always at Fault?
While there are exceptions to this rule, such as when a motorist makes an illegal U-turn, most of the time, the driver who rear-ends someone is at fault for the wreck. This is because all motorists have a duty of care to operate their vehicles safely and in a way that does not put others at risk for harm. In most cases, if a motorist is leaving enough space between their vehicle and the car in front of them and is paying attention to the road, they should have adequate time to stop and avoid a collision, even in the case of an unexpected event.
How Can an Attorney Help in a Rear-End Collision Claim?
Examining property damage, police citations, and surveillance footage, as well as speaking with witnesses, are just a handful of the ways our team can help prove liability for a Bloomfield rear-end car wreck. Working with our team as early in the process as possible is also important to avoid the tactics insurance companies will often try to utilize to get out of paying what a claim is really worth.
For example, one of the most common things an insurance company will do is try to take advantage of non-represented individuals by getting statements from them or getting them to sign releases to settle their claims prematurely. In most cases, a settlement amount is based primarily on the extent and seriousness of injuries. A lot of individuals take a few days up to a month or more before their injury sets in to really know the full extent of the damage.
The insurance companies know that if they reach out to them early on in the process and offer a lowball amount, the person may sign the release. However, if they are suddenly in serious pain after their injuries have fully surfaced a week later, we would no longer be able to get them compensated for those injuries if they have already signed the release and accepted the low offer. Getting advice from our team as soon as possible after an accident allows us to handle all insurance communication and protect an injured party’s right to maximum compensation.
Call Our Team After a Bloomfield Rear-End Accident
Let us guide you through the process of what to do after sustaining injuries in a Bloomfield rear-end accident. Our firm is ready to offer you individualized and dedicated guidance every step of the way. Call Fredson Statmore Bitterman, LLC for a free consultation.
