Summerville Rear-End Collision Lawyers

Rear-end collisions are some of the most common crashes that happen in Summerville and South Carolina more broadly. Unfortunately, the frequency of these collisions doesn’t make them any less harmful for those involved. These accidents frequently lead to severe injuries, expensive medical bills, and years of mental health disorders. A Summerville rear-end collision lawyer is the best ally victims have in their fight to recover fair compensation.

If you sustained injuries in a Summerville car accident lawyer with Murphy Crantford Meehan is ready to help. Since 1995, we’ve provided compassionate, dedicated legal representation to those with severe injuries. With decades of combined experience and a proven record of success for our clients, you can trust our team to protect your rights. Your initial consultation is free, and you don’t owe us any fees unless you recover compensation. Call now or complete our contact form for more information.

Why You Need a Summerville Rear-End Collision Attorney

After a rear-end collision in Summerville, you might face challenges proving fault, dealing with insurance companies, and recovering full compensation. Without an attorney, you risk accepting a low settlement or struggling to hold the at-fault driver accountable. For example, insurance adjusters often pressure victims into agreements that don’t fully cover their medical expenses or vehicle repairs.

At Murphy Crantford Meehan, we make your life easier by handling the legal process for you. We gather evidence like police reports, witness statements, and traffic camera footage to build a robust case. If necessary, we work with accident reconstruction experts to demonstrate how the crash happened and prove who caused the crash. Our team negotiates directly with the insurance companies to see that you receive a fair settlement. If a settlement isn’t possible, we’re ready to take your case to trial and present arguments in court.

By hiring a Summerville rear-end collision lawyer, you can focus on recovering from your injuries while we handle the details. Let us shoulder the legal burden so you don’t have to navigate this challenging time alone.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Most rear-end crashes involve careless or dangerous actions by a driver or other liable party. Some common causes of rear-end collisions in Summerville include:

• Distracted Driving – Drivers texting, eating, or adjusting in-car controls may not notice vehicles ahead slowing or stopping, causing rear-end collisions.

• Tailgating – Following too closely reduces drivers’ stopping time, making it difficult for them to avoid crashes if the front vehicle suddenly brakes.

• Speeding – Drivers traveling too fast may not react quickly enough to avoid rear-ending slower or stopped vehicles.

• Impaired Driving – Drunk or drugged drivers have slower reflexes and impaired judgment, often leading to delayed braking or failure to stop.

• Sudden Stops – Abrupt braking by the front vehicle, without warning or reason, can cause rear-end collisions, especially if the trailing driver has little time to react.

• Weather Conditions – Slick roads from rain, snow, or ice make it harder for vehicles to stop in time, increasing the risk of rear-end crashes. While drivers can’t control the weather, they should adjust their following distance and driving behavior in poor road conditions.

• Defective Brakes – Faulty or poorly maintained braking systems can prevent drivers from stopping their vehicles, causing accidents.

• Road Hazards – Potholes, debris, or uneven surfaces may force sudden stops, leading to chain-reaction rear-end collisions.

• Mechanical Failures – Issues like tire blowouts or engine problems in the front vehicle can result in unexpected stops and rear-end accidents.

• Driver Fatigue – Drowsy drivers may fail to notice slowed traffic ahead, delaying their response and causing crashes.

• Poorly Timed Traffic Signals – Malfunctioning or mistimed lights may cause unexpected stops, catching drivers off guard and contributing to rear-end collisions.

• Improper Lane Changes – Drivers who cut into traffic without signaling may cause trailing vehicles to brake suddenly, leading to rear-end crashes.

Common Injuries from Rear-End Car Accidents

While usually not as dangerous as head-on crashes or other accidents, rear-end collisions can still cause severe injuries. Common injuries from rear-end collisions include:

• Whiplash – The sudden force of a rear-end collision can jerk the head and neck backward, causing strains or tears in muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

• Herniated Discs – The impact of a rear-end crash can compress the spine, leading to bulging or ruptured discs that cause pain, numbness, or weakness.

• Back Injuries – Rear-end crashes often stress the lower back, resulting in muscle strains, spinal fractures, or long-term pain.

• Concussions – Drivers or passengers involved in a rear-end crash may hit their heads on the steering wheel, dashboard, or headrest, causing traumatic brain injuries.

• Shoulder Injuries – The seatbelt’s restraint can strain or tear ligaments in the shoulder during the sudden stop of a rear-end collision.

• Fractured Ribs – Seatbelt pressure or an impact with the steering wheel can cause cracked or broken ribs.

• Facial Injuries – A deployed airbag or impact with the dashboard can result in cuts, bruises, or fractures to the face and jaw.

• Wrist and Hand Injuries – Drivers gripping the wheel at impact often sustain fractures or sprains in their wrists and fingers.

• Knee Injuries – The force of the crash can slam drivers’ or passengers’ knees into the dashboard, causing ligament tears, dislocations, or fractures.

• Internal Injuries – Seatbelt pressure or blunt force trauma from a rear-end crash can damage internal organs, such as the liver, spleen, or lungs.

• Psychological Trauma – Victims may develop anxiety, depression, or PTSD due to the sudden and traumatic nature of rear-end collisions.

Deadline to File a Rear-End Accident Lawsuit

If you sustained injuries in a Summerville rear-end car accident, it’s vital to talk to a lawyer right away. South Carolina law gives you three years from the crash date to file a lawsuit, and missing this deadline could cost you your right to compensation. However, we recommend you speak to an attorney immediately after a collision. Critical evidence can disappear or deteriorate within days or weeks, making it harder to prove your case. By contacting a lawyer immediately, you give yourself the best chance of winning your case and recovering fair compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Summerville Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end car accidents can be complicated, and people often come to us with questions about their case. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions we receive about rear-end car accidents:

Are you always at fault in a rear-end collision in Summerville?

The rear driver is usually but not always at fault for a rear-end collision. Drivers have a legal responsibility to maintain a safe following distance from cars in front of them. However, that does not mean the rear driver is always to blame for a crash.For example, suppose the driver in front slams on their brakes for no reason or to deter someone behind them. In this situation, the driver in front might be liable for a crash because they acted carelessly.

There are also situations where outside parties contribute to rear-end collisions. For instance, a catastrophic brake failure can cause a rear-end collision. In these circumstances, the company that made the car or the brakes might be liable if a manufacturing or design defect caused the crash.

Bottom line: Don’t assume you’re liable for a rear-end collision if you were the driver in the back. An attorney can investigate the crash to determine who caused it and whether you might qualify for compensation.

What is the average payout for a rear-end collision in Summerville?

Every rear-end collision is different, so it’s tough to say what the average payout is for these claims. What’s more important than the average is hiring an attorney who can fully assess your losses and seek appropriate compensation. With help from an experienced attorney, your compensation could include money for:

• Pain and suffering

• Emotional distress

• Current medical expenses

• Future medical expenses (if applicable)

• Lost income

• Reduced future income due to an injury or disability

• Diminished quality of life due to an injury or disability

• The cost to repair or replace your damaged personal property (such as your car)

What should I do if I was injured in a rear-end collision in Summerville?

The most important steps after a rear-end car accident are to report the crash to the police and seek medical treatment. Once you’ve taken these steps, here’s what you do next to protect your right to compensation:

• Follow your doctor’s orders and attend all your follow-up treatments

• Make copies of your medical records so you have documentation of your injuries

• Keep your receipts, pay stubs, and other proof of your accident expenses

• Report the accident to your insurance company, but don’t give a statement without talking to a lawyer first

• Avoid discussing the accident in public or on social media

• Hire a Summerville rear-end collision lawyer

How long does it take to settle a rear-end collision claim in Summerville?

The timeline of a rear-end collision claim depends on many factors. In cases with straightforward evidence and no liability disputes, the case may conclude within a few weeks or months. Cases involving complex liability issues or severe injuries usually take longer. If the case goes to trial, it may be a year or more before it ends. However long it takes, be patient and trust your lawyer to protect your rights.

Contact Our Summerville Rear-End Accident Attorneys Now

Our Summerville rear-end collision lawyers are fully prepared to identify who’s liable for your injuries and hold them accountable. Call Murphy Crantford Meehan now or reach out online for a free case review.