Fayetteville, NC Rear-End Collision Lawyers

Have you been injured in a rear-end collision in Fayetteville, NC? A rear-end accident lawyer at Riddle & Brantley may be able to help. Call (910) 387-9186 for a free, no-obligation consultation. 

We can meet in-person at our convenient Fayetteville location by appointment only, or provide a free consultation from anywhere by phone, email, text, or video conference. We can even come directly to you if you prefer. Call (910) 387-9186 to speak with a rear end accident attorney today.  

Rear-End Collisions Statistics 

Rear-end collisions are very common in the United States and account for nearly 30 percent of all vehicle accidents nationwide. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is responsible for almost 90 percent of rear-end collisions. How many times a day do you pass another vehicle only to see the driver holding and reading messages on a cell phone? This is careless and illegal. Approximately 81 percent of these accidents occur when the leading vehicle is at a complete stop or driving at a slow speed. Furthermore, most rear-end collisions happen during the day light hours on straight, flat roads and male drivers between the ages of 25 – 34 are 1.9 times more likely to be involved in a rear-end collision than females and other age groups. 

“Do I Really Need a Rear-End Collision Lawyer?” 

If you live in Fayetteville, North Carolina or any of the surrounding areas and have been rear-ended by another driver, you may need a lawyer. Rear end accidents may be very common, but these cases can quickly become complicated, time-consuming, and stressful. You don’t have to go through this alone, and a rear end car accident lawyer at Riddle & Brantley can handle all aspects of your case so you can focus on your health, well-being, and quality of life. 

The rear-end collision lawyers at Riddle & Brantley will help you get the justice you and your loved ones deserve. With over 225 years of combined legal experience, the attorneys at Riddle & Brantley have been helping accident victims hurt in all types of auto accidents including rear-end collisions.  

Call us at (910) 387-9186  or fill out the short form below for a free no-obligation consultation with an experienced Fayetteville personal injury lawyer at Riddle & Brantley.  

Rear-End Collisions 

A rear-end collision occurs when the front of a vehicle collides with the rear of the vehicle traveling in front. These types of accidents range from minor to major and even deadly, especially when a tractor trailer or truck rear ends a car. Rear-end accidents may result in injuries that take months or years to recover from such as back injuries, whiplash, and muscle pain. Even minor accidents at slow speeds can result in long-lasting injuries and pain. However, rear-end collisions at high rates of speed can be very damaging, disabling and even deadly.  

Injuries suffered in a rear end accident may include: 

• Neck injuries, including whiplash 
• Back injuries 
• Bruising and seat belt injuries 
• Facial injuries 
• Head injuries, including concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBI) 
• Cuts and lacerations 
• Soft tissue damage 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Crush injuries 
• Emotional trauma and distress 
• Death 

Some of these injuries can be delayed. Many times, immediately after an accident people feel ok. However, the next morning they wake up feeling bad. Sometimes it is a few days to a week before they feel the injuries sustained in the crash. This is because soft tissue injuries, like neck pain, whiplash, back pain and bruising often take time to develop. The pain of “delayed onset injuries” may linger for many months even with medical treatment. 

Causes of Rear End Car Accidents 

Most rear-end collisions happen when a driver fails to brake in time to stop and avoid crashing into the car in front of them. This usually happens at a stop sign or traffic light. 

Common reasons for rear-end collisions include: 

• Distracted driving (texting or reading messages on a cell  phone) 
• Following too closely or tailgating 
• Driving in low visibility (rain, snow, and fog) 
• Speeding 
• Driver fatigue 
• Following a vehicle that stops frequently 
• Following a large vehicle that blocks your view of the road ahead 

To avoid rear-end collisions drivers should: 

• Leave more space between you and the vehicle in front of you 
• Always look ahead 
• Keep pace with the traffic  
• Make sure your brake lights work properly 
• Brake slowly 
• Focus on driving, don’t be distracted 
• Keep your view clear 
• Watch traffic from behind 
• Use signals 
• Stay out of blind spots 
• Check your mirrors periodically 
• Check brakes, tires and suspension regularly 

3-Second Rule 

It is also important to remember the “3 second rule”. Drivers should drive defensively and follow the “3 second rule” to allow the car in front of them to have adequate time to stop. This rule means that a driver allows the car in front of him/her to pass an object on the side of the road (such as a sign or tree) and spacing out 3 to 5 seconds in between the time their vehicle passes the same object. This gives the driver in the back plenty of time to stop if the vehicle in front stops suddenly. 

Proving Fault in Rear End Accidents 

Most rear end collisions are the fault of the driver of the car in the rear. It is rare that the car in front is at fault for the crash. However, in some cases there is shared liability and contributory negligence. In cases of disputed liability, the leading driver may be determined to share liability if he or she contributes to the accident in some way. There is also a “last clear chance” doctrine which allows a partially negligent injured party to recover damages if it can be proven that the defendant was reasonably able to prevent the accident from happening, regardless of the injured party’s contribution.  

Fayetteville Injury Lawyers Handling Rear-End Accidents 

If you are injured in a rear-end accident in Fayetteville, North Carolina you may need a rear-end accident attorney. The Fayetteville car accident attorneys at Riddle & Brantley routinely handle rear end accident cases and we are here to help.  

Taking on the Insurance Companies 

Sometimes it is hard to get a fair settlement from the insurance company. An attorney can take the hassle out of dealing with the insurance companies who are usually only interested in making a quick settlement and helping the insured and not the victim. Let Riddle and Brantley take the guess work out of your accident case.  

Do not accept the insurance company’s initial offer if you’ve been injured in a rear end collision. Talk with an experienced Fayetteville rear-end car crash lawyer immediately. If you don’t need a lawyer we will tell you.  

Our Results 

In one tragic rear-end accident, a family of four was killed instantly by a tanker truck that failed to stop. Attorney Gene Riddle and the Riddle & Brantley team filed multiple lawsuits and settled prior to trial, recovering $9.48 million in total compensation for the surviving relatives (see disclaimer below). Nothing can make up for the loss of loved ones, but we were pleased to have helped the plaintiffs get justice in this case. 

“Riddle & Brantley handled my case very professionally, with respect from beginning to end.” 

–Joseph P., Riddle & Brantley client 

We always have our client’s best interest at heart. Call us at (910) 387-9186 or fill out the form below. We don’t get paid unless we recover money for you. Let us be your advocate.  

Justice Counts. 

*** Disclaimer: The results mentioned are intended to illustrate the type of cases handled by the firm. These results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and they should not be construed to constitute a promise or guarantee of a particular result in any particular case. Every case is different, and the outcome of any case depends upon a variety of factors unique to that case.