Rear End Collision

Rear-end collisions were the most common type of vehicle crashes that caused property damage or injuries in the most recent Annual Report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While many such collisions are simple fender benders, they also have the potential to cause serious injuries and extensive damage.

Were you rear-ended by another driver? Or maybe you hit someone else and now you’re being sued? It is not always easy to know who is to blame for a rear-end collision. You should contact an Albuquerque rear-end collision attorney for advice on what to do in your circumstances.

Who Was at Fault?

In New Mexico, the driver that causes the accident pays for the injured parties’ bills through their insurance. If they do not have insurance, the person or people that were injured can go after the other driver personally.

“Fault” is determined by proving that the driver acted negligently, or carelessly. Their negligence has to be the cause of the accident and what led to your damages.

However, if the plaintiff had any responsibility for the accident, damages are reduced based on their percentage of fault. For example, if the plaintiff’s damages are $100,000 but the jury determines that the plaintiff was 20% at fault, then the plaintiff would get 80% of their damages, or $80,000.

The person at fault in a rear-end collision is not always easily identifiable. The presumption is that the person who rear-ended the other driver was not paying attention or driving too close to the car in front of them. In that instance, the rear driver is likely at fault.

But what if the front driver cut in front of the rear driver too closely for the rear driver to brake? What if the brake lights on the front driver’s car were not working properly, so the rear driver could not see the front driver slowing down or stopping? What if it was a multi-car accident and you were unlucky enough to be caught in the middle?

Whether you were the person hit or the rear driver in a rear-end collision, you should call a rear-end collision attorney in Albuquerque as soon as possible.

How Can an Albuquerque Rear-End Collision Lawyer Help?

A rear-end collision lawyer in Albuquerque can help you understand your rights. They will go over your story and investigate your situation to help determine who was at fault for the collision.

If you were injured in the collision, you deserve to be compensated for your medical costs and the wages you lost because of your injury, as well as future costs and lost wages. You can also recover financially for your pain and suffering and other non-economic losses.

The force from being rear-ended can cause your car and body to jolt forward unexpectedly with force. Common injuries from rear-end collisions, such as whiplash, involve the neck and back.

In addition to soft tissue damage, you could harm the bones in your spine or suffer long-term pain and headaches, among other symptoms. These effects are not always felt right away, which is why it’s so important to get checked out by a doctor right away and have imaging or other tests done.

If you were the driver hit in a rear-end accident, the other driver’s insurance company will probably try to settle the matter with you right away. It is best to get legal advice from your rear-end accident lawyer in Albuquerque first.

The insurance companies are trying to give you as little money as possible. Your rear-end accident attorney in Albuquerque can tell you if their offer is reasonable or if you should press the matter and file a lawsuit.

They will investigate your claim and help you figure out a reasonable amount of compensation you can expect your claim to be worth. Your Albuquerque rear-end collision attorney will attempt to negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company or litigate the case if necessary.

Why Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway?

Your Albuquerque rear-end collision attorney needs to be compassionate to your situation and knowledgeable about rear-end collisions. You need a firm that can get you the best possible settlement but is not afraid to go to trial if that is not possible.

At Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway, we are passionate about serving our community and our clients. Our rear-end collision attorneys in Albuquerque are experienced trial attorneys.

We provide all our clients with ethical and compassionate personal injury representation specifically tailored to their individual circumstances.

If you need an Albuquerque rear-end collision attorney, please contact Fadduol, Cluff, Hardy & Conaway to speak to one of our expert personal injury lawyers about your situation.