The attorneys at Cooper Schall & Levy have decades of experience successfully protecting the rights of victims of rear-end car accidents and recovering the damages they need going forward. We pride ourselves on our integrity and compassion as well as on our legal skills. If you have been injured in a rear-end accident in Philadelphia or surrounding counties in Pennsylvania, contact our offices for effective legal representation.
Determining Fault In A Philadelphia Rear-End Car Accident
While in most types of car accidents there may be a question about which driver is responsible for the crash, in rear-end collisions the car behind is almost always considered liable. This is because the rules of the road require maintaining enough distance from the car in front of you so that you can make a safe stop.
Drivers who drive too close to the car in front of them are breaking the law by tailgating and are therefore held accountable. And often, the majority of rear-end accidents occur when the car in front has already stopped.
In rear-end collisions involving multiple vehicles, when the first vehicle hits the car in front of it and pushes that car into the driver ahead, the driver at the back of the line is usually found to be at fault. Injured drivers or passengers of either of the cars in front can sue the rear driver for damages.
Why It’s Important to Take Action Promptly After a Rear-End Car Accident
Rear-end accidents can cause serious injuries even when they take place in heavy, slow-moving city traffic and even when there is little damage to the vehicles involved. Some injuries to the neck and back, especially those involving nerves, may not cause pain at the time of the accident. This is one of the reasons it is essential to be checked out by a doctor after a rear-end collision.
Once you have tended to your health, it is important to get in touch with us as soon as possible so that we can get a jump on gathering evidence that may be crucial to your case, such as:
- Photos of the accident site
- Video surveillance of the area, if available
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Subpoenas for cell phone records of the driver who hit you
- Witness accounts of what precisely took place
Not only will such evidence be easier to obtain early on; but in some cases, it is likely to be more accurate. As time passes, road conditions are altered, files get misplaced or harder to locate, and witnesses’ memories fade.
Services Our Strong Philadelphia Rear-End Car Accident Attorney Will Provide
Our lawyers not only have in-depth knowledge of personal injury law in Pennsylvania, but we are also well-practiced in communicating and negotiating with insurance adjusters and opposing attorneys. In addition, we are first-rate litigators if your case necessitates a courtroom trial.
Once you become our client, we will handle all legal and logistical aspects of your case, prevent you from agreeing to an inadequate settlement, and fight vigorously to win you maximum compensation.
We are well aware of the trauma a serious rear-end car accident injury can cause and will do all we can to keep you out of the legal fray so you can recover in peace. Your initial consultation with us will be free of charge and our services will cost you nothing until we recover damages.
Common Causes
Most longtime drivers have experienced slight bumps into the car in front or in back of them while “stopped” in traffic, usually the result of one driver’s momentary inattention. Nonetheless, most people are unaware that a significant number of serious car accidents are rear-end collisions. These accidents have a variety of causes, including:
- Distracted driving (while eating, texting, adjusting mirrors, radio, etc.)
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Road rage
In all of the above cases, since negligence, recklessness or malice is the cause of the rear-end accident, the case can be litigated.
Less Common Causes
In some cases, external factors, such as bad weather (rain/snow/sleet/ fog/hail/sun glare), may be the direct or contributory cause of a rear-end accident. In others, the underlying cause of the rear-end accident may be damaged pavement, uncleared roadways, or mechanical defects (e.g. faulty brakes on the rear car or faulty hazard lights on the front car).
In the latter instances, our attorneys may be able to file a claim either against the government agency responsible for road maintenance or the negligent car manufacturer. In other words, though the target of our lawsuit will change, we may still be able to get you meaningful compensation.
Our Rear-End Car Accident Attorneys Fight to Win
At Cooper Schall & Levy, we know how traumatic a serious injury can be, not only physically, but emotionally and financially as well. This is when having capable, forceful lawyers like ours can make all the difference. Our persuasive team will work tirelessly to bring you damages to cover:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income, present and future
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Extended nursing care
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurements
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your case involves the wrongful death of a loved one, we will fight aggressively to win you compensation for final medical costs, funeral costs, and loss of financial and emotional support. We know that no legal win will diminish your grief, but we hope to provide you with a sense that justice has been done and provide your family with a more secure future.
Contact Our Experienced Philadelphia Rear-End Car Accident Attorneys Today
At Philadelphia-based Cooper Schall & Levy, we are committed to helping victims of rear-end accidents and will do whatever it takes to simplify and ease your life at this challenging time. Contact us now so we can begin strategizing a plan to get you the resources you need and deserve.
