Houston Rear-End Accident Lawyer

A rear-end car accident in Houston can happen suddenly. Your injuries can be severe, including whiplash, concussion, and spinal cord damage. You will likely have significant medical bills and other damages. Contact a rear-end accident lawyer in Houston at The Krist Law Firm, P.C. right away. We will determine what happened and hold those who caused it accountable.

Call our Houston car accident lawyers at 281-283-8500 or use our online contact form to reach out.

What Causes Rear-End Accidents in Houston?

Most rear-end accidents are caused by driver error. The person behind you may not have been paying attention. Distracted driving may have been involved. Sometimes weather conditions, like rain, ice, or snow, can prevent stopping in time, and a rear-end collision occurs.

Rear-end accidents on I-10 – the Katy Freeway – and I-45 – the Gulf Freeway – are often caused by reckless drivers who are speeding. They don’t give themselves enough space between their own car and the one in front of them. When traffic stops, they don’t have enough time to decelerate. These high-speed accidents often result in some of the most significant injuries.

Who’s Liable for Rear-End Accidents?

In almost all cases, the person who rear-ends the car in front of them is liable. However, there are some exceptions to rear-end accident fault.

Failure To Stop at a Stop Sign or Red Light

Rear-end crashes in Houston often occur when someone fails to stop at a sign or red light. This causes them to accelerate into another driver in front of them. The car in front may be stopped or preparing to turn. This often occurs due to distracted driving.

Multi-Car Accidents

If you were in a multi-car accident, the car at the very end that pushed all the other vehicles forward and ultimately into you might be at fault. However, multiple vehicles in the chain may also be to blame. Multi-car accidents can be very complex, and you should always get legal advice from an attorney.

Drunk Driver Accidents

If a drunk driver rear-ended you, the person who was intoxicated is to blame. Their insurance will have to pay for your damages. Additionally, you may be able to sue them separately for additional punitive damages. Punitive damages do not compensate you for direct losses but instead punish the at-fault individual for bad behavior.

Rear-Ended by Uninsured Driver

If the driver who hit you in the rear of your car did not have insurance, you might still have options to get your damages covered. Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage lets you file a claim with your own insurance company. If you have “full coverage,” your collision insurance will cover your property damage. If you have “med pay,” it will pay for some of your medical bills.

You should consult a rear-end collision lawyer even if you are dealing with your own insurance company because their goal is ultimately to pay out as little as possible – even to their own insured.

Rear-End Accident Injuries

Because of how rear-end accidents happen, some common injuries result from these crashes:

• Whiplash
• Concussions
• Spinal injury
• Head injury
• Back injuries
• Seat belt injuries
• Airbag injuries

Back pain is typical after a rear-end accident, and it can mean many different types of injuries. It’s essential to get medical treatment right away. You need to determine what injuries you have and how severe they are.

I Got Rear-Ended: What’s Next?

There are several steps you should take immediately after a rear-end collision. First, call the police to get an accident report and ask for an ambulance if you are injured. Check on the status of your passengers and anyone else at the scene.

If you are not severely injured, you can:

• Move yourself and your vehicle to a safe location
• Give the police a statement about what happened
• Exchange contact and insurance information but do not admit fault
• Collect contact information from witnesses
• Take pictures and videos of the scene
• Write down what you remember happening

Once you have recovered from the immediate situation and get medical attention, you should call a rear-end accident lawyer to start an insurance claim or file a personal injury lawsuit.

Rear-End Accident Compensation

Like other car accident claims, you are eligible to recover compensation in a rear-end accident that is not your fault. Before you start a rear-end collision insurance claim, you should speak with an attorney. The other party may try to deny liability and place the blame on you.

We will conduct our own investigation, document all your losses, and help you get compensation for your:

• Past and future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Loss of earning potential
• Property damage
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement
• Physical limitations
• Punitive damages

Call a Houston Rear-End Collision Lawyer

If you were rear-ended while stopped or otherwise hit from behind, you need to consult with an attorney right away. The other person will likely try to blame you and relieve themselves of all responsibility. Don’t let the other driver and their insurance company take advantage of you.

Call The Krist Law Firm, P.C. at 281-283-8500 or use our online contact form to reach out. We will help you understand what to expect and how to recover after being rear-ended.