Baltimore Rear End Collision Crash Lawyer

Even though a large number of rear-end collisions occur each year, rear-end accidents are still very serious and can involve extensive property damage, serious injuries, and even in fatalities. A large number of rear-end accidents in Baltimore County also involve several motor vehicle drivers, which means that establishing liability can often be very difficult. People who are involved in rear-end collisions frequently are left feeling uncertain and confused about how to proceed with their case, which is why it is often a wise idea to obtain the services of seasoned legal counsel or a Baltimore County rear end collision lawyer.

At Rice, Murtha & Psoras, our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to make sure that your case resolves in the best possible manner. We have helped many other people who have been harmed in similar ways and know what it takes to make sure your case resolves in the best possible manner.

What is a “Fender-Bender” Accident?

“Fender-bender” is a term used to describe generally minor car accidents. This means that the cars crash without much damage. They commonly happen in instances of tailgating and sudden stops. Generally, the car in the back is responsible for damages in a fender-bender accident.

Minor crashes are called fender-benders because often, the most damage done to a car is a warped fender (or, in actuality, damage to the bumper). These types of accidents often see victims walking away without injury. Because fender-benders are not seen as a big deal, victims ignore their injuries or do not notice them until days or weeks after.

Fender-benders often happen when one car is tailgating another. If the front car needs to stop quickly, there may not be enough space for the second car to stop safely. Instead, it may hit or tap the car in front. Fender-benders can also happen when a distracted driver is not paying attention to the car ahead of them.

Fender benders can still cause serious injuries, such as whiplash. You should always speak to an attorney for help, even after a minor crash, if you have any injuries.

The Most Common Injuries Associated with Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents frequently result in very serious injuries and substantial property damage. These injuries can comprise many different ailments but one of the most common injuries is whiplash which occurs due to rear-end collisions.

Some of the other common types of injuries due to rear-end collisions include the following:

Rear-End Accidents Can Cause Costly Injuries

If you are in a relatively minor rear-end collision in Baltimore, you may feel perfectly fine – at first. Seemingly minor car accidents can result in soft tissue injuries that cause issues in the future.

Of course, certain injuries are immediately recognizable. Broken bones, cuts, and others are noticeable after a car accident. Other injuries, however, take time to appear. Soft tissue injuries can happen during a rear-end collision in Baltimore. These injuries may not present themselves for days or weeks after an accident.

Soft tissue injuries include muscle or ligament tears and sprains. These initially minor injuries can be just as damaging and costly as other severe injuries after a rear-end car accident. Do not ignore aches and pains after a rear-end collision in Baltimore. They could indicate more serious injuries than you may have anticipated.

Any car accident victim can suffer extensive and lasting injuries and rear-end crash victims are no different. Perhaps the injury most closely associated with a rear-end accident is whiplash. Whiplash refers to strains and other damage to the soft tissue in the neck and it occurs when a person’s head snaps back and forth sharply, stretching the neck. Whiplash victims can experience serious pain, limited range of motion, and more for weeks or months and often require extensive physical therapy and other treatments before they regain full use of their necks.

Any accident victim who feels any pain or discomfort should be fully evaluated by a medical professional and should undergo necessary treatment. Medical bills can add up fast and the losses resulting from a rear-end crash can be surprisingly high.

The Numerous Causes of Rear-End Accidents

There are many common ways in which rear-end accidents occurs. Some of the most common causes of the accidents include the following:

  • Adverse weather conditions
  • Defective vehicles
  • Distracted drivers
  • Drivers that fall asleep at the wheel
  • Failure to yield
  • Fatigued drivers
  • Intoxicated drivers
  • Road hazards
  • Speeding drivers
  • Tailgating drivers

What Should You Do After a Rear-End Collision?

Even if you think a rear-end collision is not damaging, it is important to take a few steps. Calling the police and seeking medical attention is necessary. Doing so creates a record of an accident and your injuries, should you need compensation.

Call the Police

Sometimes, fender-benders seem inconsequential. You and the responsible driver may decide to exchange information and drive on. However, calling the police is important. it can be harder to properly assess damages in seemingly minor car accidents. If you need to sue the responsible driver, doing so can be harder without a police report.

Always call the police after an accident of any kind. Officers can complete a crash report useful to the Baltimore rear-end collision lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras when building your case. If a driver is impaired or distracted during an accident, you may be able to recover compensatory damages.

Get Medical Attention

Because rear-end collisions are often seen as insignificant, you may choose to forego medical care. That is a mistake. Some injuries take days or weeks to appear after a fender-bender. Experienced medical professionals can recognize injuries that you may not notice right away.

When suing a responsible driver for compensation after a rear-end collision, it is helpful to have documentation of your injuries. Immediately visiting the hospital, and seeking continued care, can help strengthen your claim against a negligent driver.

When Should You Take Legal Action in a Rear End Collision?

Car accident victims have the right to take legal action against a negligent driver in Baltimore. Because Maryland is an at-fault state, victims in Baltimore can sue a responsible driver for any accident, including rear-end collisions.

You should pursue litigation against a negligent driver if they caused a rear-end collision that caused you injury. Some car accident victims may be hesitant to sue. Perhaps they know the other driver or are concerned that their lawsuit will take too long. In reality, pursuing litigation may be the only way you can receive compensation for your injuries.

Baltimore rear-end collision victims can take legal action if they were injured in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence. Per Md. Code, Cts. & Jud. Proc. Art., § 5-101, rear-end collision victims have three years from the date of injury to sue. Quickly filing can help the Baltimore rear-end collision lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras create a strong case against a negligent driver. the sooner you file, the sooner you can recover compensation for your injuries.

Maryland is a fault state, meaning the driver that caused the car accident is responsible for compensating a victim. Baltimore rear-end collision victims are well within their rights to take legal action against a negligent driver but should do so quickly.

Taking Legal Action after Your Rear End Collision

If you incurred losses from a rear-end accident, there are steps your attorney can take to ensure that you are properly compensated for those losses. First, you must determine who can be held responsible for your crash. Parties that were negligent in causing the accident can be held legally liable for your losses and this can include other drivers, companies, or even government entities.
Some examples of negligence that cause rear-end crashes include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Fatigued driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Tailgating
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield
  • Defective brakes or tires
  • Dangerous road hazards

Compensation can be sought through the insurance process and/or through the Baltimore civil court system and your attorney can identify the best ways for you to seek financial recovery for all of your losses.

Compensation in Baltimore Rear-End Collision Accidents

As with any car accident lawsuit, Baltimore rear-end collision victims can recover significant damages to compensate for their injuries. There are two types of damages in these lawsuits: economic and non-economic. An experienced attorney will strive to help you recover both types of damages so you can physically, financially, and emotionally heal after a rear-end collision in Baltimore.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are the base amount you will receive in a successful lawsuit against a negligent driver. These damages compensate victims for the financial impact of a rear-end collision. That includes medical bills and lost wages. Keep any records or documentation that outlines the economic impact of an accident. These can help experienced attorneys, like the Baltimore rear-end collision lawyers at Rice, Murtha & Psoras, demand the correct amount in economic damages.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages can be more difficult to quantify than economic damages. These damages attempt to compensate rear-end collision victims in Baltimore for an accident’s emotional and mental impact. That includes decreased quality of life and pain and suffering. A skilled attorney should help their clients gain non-economic damages to help them recover after a rear-end collision in Baltimore.

From Start to Finish, Our Attorneys Can Help

People who are involved in rear-end collisions are frequently overwhelmed and uncertain about what steps should be taken to obtain the compensation they deserve. From your first phone call to receipt of compensation, a seasoned Baltimore car accident attorney can help you throughout your case and will remain committed to making sure your case resolves in the best possible manner.

Our legal counsel knows how to perform unparalleled accident reconstruction to determine how the rear-end collision occurred, can create a strong case based on the strongest available evidence to establish which parties should be held accountable, and can even assist in navigating issues involving the other party’s insurance carrier. If the situation requires it, our legal counsel is not afraid to pursue matters in the Baltimore civil court system.

Speak with a Baltimore County Rear End Collision Attorney

Rear end collisions in Baltimore County frequently involve serious injuries and substantial property damage. If you or a loved one is injured in a rear end collision, you should immediately obtain the assistance of seasoned legal counsel that can help fight for the best possible resolution in your case. Contact the legal counsel at the Law Offices of Randolph Rice by calling our office at (410) 694-7291 or visiting our online website to schedule an initial free consultation.