Rear-End Car Accidents in Los Angeles

You may assume rear-end collisions are just fender benders — both parties stopped at a light and the rear driver took their foot off the brake prematurely, tapping the fender of the leading car. Unfortunately, rear-end accidents can cause fatalities. Severe back injuries and whiplash also occur frequently. Even if you experience this type of crash, neck and back injuries sometimes take time before symptoms emerge, so you should seek immediate medical help. Our attorneys could help you secure compensation after rear-end car accidents in Los Angeles. Call now for a consultation with our car crash attorneys.

Rear Drivers are Presumed at Fault

Our attorneys establish a driver’s negligence by proving they had a duty to operate their vehicles safely, they breached that duty, and their actions are the cause of an accident with injuries.

Prima facie evidence is the presumption in a rear-end collision in Los Angeles that the rear driver is at fault. It means at first sight the rear motorist is responsible for not keeping a safe distance between cars and not controlling the car. The defendant can rebut the presumption if additional information shows another scenario. Generally, the law prescribes one car length between cars for every 10 mph they are moving.

Cause-in-Fact and Proximate Cause of a Rear-End Car Crash

Negligent drivers who cause accidents must be deemed the cause-in-fact and the proximate cause for a negligence lawsuit to succeed. The rear driver is the proximate cause if it is foreseeable that their actions would cause injuries. They are the cause-in-fact if but-for the substandard actions, the damage would not have occurred.

For example, if a line of motorists is stopped at a red light and a speeding motorist plows into the last car in the line, causing a chain reaction of rear-end crashes, the last speeding motorist is both the proximate and cause-in-fact of the rear-end car collision in Los Angeles.

Insurance Claims vs. Personal Injury Lawsuits

California has adopted an at-fault motor vehicle insurance system in which innocent motorists injured in crashes look for compensation from the insurance company covering the at-fault motorists.

Every injured driver knows the insurance company is not their friend and will push for the lowest possible settlement. This is where our attorneys are the greatest value to our clients. Insurers do not care if a driver is properly compensated, but we do. While many attorneys do not like to litigate, we do. Injured motorists have one chance to secure a suitable settlement or damages award, and it must be enough to cover current and future losses. We win big for our clients as a matter of justice and the desire to do our best for them.

We Seek the Most for You After Rear-End Car Accidents in Los Angeles

All car accidents upend your daily life, leaving you with injuries of varying degrees that can keep you away from work and destabilize your financial health. Our attorneys believe in justice and that you should be compensated by the wrongdoer if your car is rear-ended.

Navigating the insurance and legal systems is difficult for those with no experience and who are suffering with injuries that need time to heal. Insurers want to diminish a settlement, leaving you without a way to keep up financially. If you are in a rear-end car accident in Los Angeles, do not allow an insurer to determine the compensation you receive. Our interests are your interests, and we can help you now. Contact us to discuss your legal options.