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Rear-end accidents in Houston are quite common and tend to happen when drivers tailgate, speed, drive while distracted or drive while under the influence of alcohol and drugs, and can occur at both low and high speeds. What most people do not know is that victims of low-speed rear-end crashes can still suffer serious injuries. A Houston Rear-End Collision Attorney can assist you.

During rush hour in Houston, when traffic is all stop-and-go, a rear-end could happen at any time. As a road user, you could end up being rear-ended as you sit in traffic or as you stop at a traffic light. Injuries sustained as a result of another person’s negligence can be the source of a lot of misery and could leave you out of work for a long time. This is why you need to consider hiring the services of the experienced Houston motor vehicle accident attorneys at Gomel & Associates.

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What Do I Do After Being Involved in a Rear-End Collision?

After being involved in a rear-end collision we suggest the following steps be taken:

Dial 911

The first thing you need to do after an accident is to call 911. Irrespective of how minor the accident is or whether you haven’t been hurt, calling 911 is the first thing you should always do. If there is anyone in need of emergency medical attention, request an ambulance. When the police arrive on the scene, make sure you tell them what happened and always stick to the facts. Also, remember to follow up on the process of getting a copy of the police accident report as it serves as evidence during the building of your case. Why? Because it is the official, written version of what transpired at the scene.

Get the Information of Everyone Involved in the Accident

Get the license number, name, address, contact information, and registration number of all drivers involved in the accident. Also, make sure you exchange your insurance information with your fellow driver. While at it, make sure you get their insurance policy number. After you have exchanged this information, note the make, model, year, VIN, and license plate number of every vehicle involved in the accident. A vehicle’s VIN can be found at the corner of a vehicle’s windshield, where it meets the dashboard.

Two people assessing the damage after a Houston rear-end collision.

Take Photos and Videos of the Accident Scene

If it is safe, record the accident scene using your phone. If possible, record the scene from different angles and ensure damages to every vehicle involved are visible. Also, make sure you record any property damage, tread marks, and any street signs and traffic signals that are relevant to the crash.

If There Are Any Witnesses, Request Them to Give You Their Contact Information

If there is anyone who saw the accident happen, be sure to get their contact information and name. Ask if they would mind providing a written statement since their testimony also serves as credible evidence when filing a claim.

Make Sure You’ve Written Everything Down

Note down everything that transpired while you still remember. Note all the details about the accident, including the location of the accident and when it happened, which way traffic was flowing when the accident occurred, road hazards, weather conditions, and any other information that is relevant to the crash.

What Are Some of the Symptoms Related to Rear-End Collision Injuries?

The injuries suffered by rear-end collision victims vary depending on how severe the accident was, with the most common injuries, including:

  • Whiplash
  • Broken bones
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Brain Injury/Brain damage
  • Other internal injuries

All types of injuries sustained during a rear-end collision – from paralysis to TBIs, broken bones to whiplash – qualify for compensation if another person’s negligence has caused them.

If you have been involved in a rear-end collision, make sure you seek medical attention as soon as possible. Seeing a physician should be your number one priority, even if you feel okay. A visit to the hospital is not only vital for your health, but it can also help your claim a lot, especially if you seek medical care promptly. When seeking compensation for the pain and suffering you endured during and after an accident, and you have not seen a doctor, it becomes easier for insurance companies to question the seriousness of your injuries.

How Much Does the Average Rear-End Collision Settlement Pay in Houston?

The amount you receive as compensation for your injuries will often depend on the specific details of your accident. If you got injured in a collision that was not your fault, you might be viable to recover compensation for pain and suffering, lost wages, medical expenses, and so much more.

What’s The Importance Of Hiring A Rear-End Car Crash Attorney?

Rear-end collisions are quite common in Houston, TX. However, these collisions have increased in number over the last couple of years because of distracted driving, which is being caused by increased use of phones while driving. More drivers today are texting while behind the wheel, something that has led to an increased number of rear-end collisions that leave people hurt.

It’s generally assumed that rear-end collisions are always the fault of the owner of the vehicle that rear-ended the other. However, the driver of this vehicle can have a case if there’s no way they could have avoided hitting the car in front of them.

If you are the victim of a rear-end collision, a personal injury attorney from Gomel & Associates can help you get the compensation you deserve for the injuries you sustained during the accident.

When It Comes to Rear-End Collisions, Who’s at Fault?

In most instances, rear-end collisions are the fault of the driver who hit the car in front of them. Even when the driver ahead comes to a sudden stop or suddenly slows down at a swift rate, the blame is still on the striking driver. Fundamental traffic laws stipulate that motorists should come to a full stop safely when the leading vehicle stops or slows down. If a motorist is hit from behind, the likelihood is that the driver who was behind them was either driving too fast or distracted. Once a rear-end collision has occurred, those involved in the crash will have to file a car accident claim to get compensation for car repairs and medical bills.

What Causes Rear-End Accidents?

Rear-end crashes often happen because of fast driving conditions, which make it hard for motorists to stop when the vehicle in front of them decreases speed suddenly. In today’s world, technology is fast becoming the number one source of distraction on the road and is responsible for many rear-end collisions. For example, a motorist may get carried away by their vehicle’s infotainment system or smartphone while driving, leading to an accident. Failing to watch the road, eating, and conversing are other common causes of rear-end collisions. Adverse road conditions like ice, rain, or snow can also lead to rear-end crashes.

When a rear-end collision occurs, victims of the accident can obtain help by seeking the services of a traffic accident attorney. Legal experts can also help victims acquire the financial support they need from the responsible party’s insurance company, securing them the money need to cover lost wages, vehicle replacement or repair, and medical bills.

A car that has been damaged in a rear-end collision.

Rear-End Collision Injuries

Rear-end collisions don’t always lead to injuries; however, when a person is harmed during one, they may end up suffering from specific types of injuries such as back or neck damage. Neck injuries are the most common, considering that when a vehicle is hit from the back, it causes the necks of the occupants to jerk forward really fast, resulting in whiplash. The degree of the severity of this injury differs from person to person.

Nevertheless, it still can be disabling and permanent. Herniated discs are also a possibility with rear-end crashes. As a victim of a rear-end collision who’s suffered injuries, make sure you contact a lawyer and have them help you file a car crash claim. With professional legal help, you can rest assured your claim will be processed the right way.

What Damages Can You Recover After a Rear-End Collision Accident in Houston?

The severity of an accident and the injuries suffered determine how much in damages one can recover from a personal injury lawsuit or insurance claim. Minor fender benders that leave you with bruises and scrapes and damages to your car’s rear bumper will naturally bring in a smaller payout than what a high-speed rear-end accident that totaled your car and led to you being hospitalized for more than a week will.

Such cases are often considered complicated because of the severity of injuries suffered, which range from shoulder injuries to upper back to neck injuries. Whiplash and other related injuries can be hard to prove but often lead to impairment and severe pain. The attorneys at Gomel & Associates can help collect evidence of injuries suffered and use this to build up your claims case.

Some of the damages you can recover compensation for include:

  • Replacement or repair of your vehicle
  • Hospitalization, if required
  • A rental car for personal transportation as your car is being repaired
  • Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other costs
  • The cost of medical care
  • Lost wages
  • Pain and suffering damages
  • The cost of getting pain management medication
  • The cost of outpatient medical care

What’s the Time Limit for Filing A Rear-End Accident Claim In Texas?

The statute of limitations in Texas on car crash cases runs out two years from the day the accident happened. If you plan on pursuing litigation to recover compensation, then you need to ensure that you start the process before this period ends.

Since rear-end collisions don’t always end up in court, this deadline doesn’t always apply in each case. However, it’s vital that you keep this in mind since how soon we file the case and take it to court provides substantial leverage when it comes to your settlement negotiations. As such, we recommend that you contact us at Gomel & Associates immediately after your car crash to get the process started.

Speak to a Houston Rear-End Collision Attorney From Gomel & Associates Now

If you’ve sustained injuries after a rear-end collision, consider seeking the services of an experienced Houston-based car crash attorney. The attorneys at Gomel & Associates are experienced and skilled professionals with close to three decades of experience when it comes to investigating cases and successfully closing car accident-related claims. Our personal injury law firm based in Houston is proud of the result we’ve obtained for the people who chose us to represent them.

For quality rear-end collision accident representation, call the personal injury attorneys at Gomel & Associates now to discuss your case, rights, and options.

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