Rear-End Car Accidents in New Braunfels
Rear-end car accidents in New Braunfels occur when one vehicle strikes another from behind, with the lead vehicle’s rear fender and bumper absorbing most of the impact. These sorts of collisions are one of the most common on the road and, in some instances, may be no more than a minor fender bender.
However, rear-end collisions can also frequently lead to serious injuries. When you have been hurt because of the careless, negligent, or reckless actions of another driver, you do not deserve to have to pay for your losses on your own. An experienced car collision attorney can help you assert your legal rights to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Causes of Rear-End Accidents
Rear-end car crashes in New Braunfels can happen in any number of situations and can be caused by many different preceding events. An attorney who regularly works on rear-end-crash cases may be able to help an injured person investigate the crash by working with an accident reconstructionist or other experts in order to understand what occurred. Some of the more common factors that lead to rear-end collisions include:
- Tailgating or otherwise failing to maintain a safe stopping distance
- Failing to adjust to bad weather or road conditions
- Speeding or driving too aggressively
- Distracted driving, such as texting, talking, or eating while driving
- Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
- Road rage
- Brake failure
These types of accidents commonly lead to injuries to the head, back, and neck of the driver and passengers in the lead car, such as whiplash, concussions or other traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, and nerve damage. Other types of injuries are possible as well, including broken bones, lacerations, burns, or internal injuries.
Responsibility for Rear-End Collisions
All drivers on the road have the obligation to maintain safe stopping distances and drive defensively; therefore, typically, fender benders in New Braunfels are ultimately the responsibility of the rear car. However, there are scenarios where the driver of the car in front could be responsible, for example, if they cut off the rear car, swerve in front of it unexpectedly, or fail to properly signal their intentions with their blinker.
Determining responsibility can be a difficult task and is not always black and white. In fact, in some situations, both drivers may share fault. To handle these situations, Texas has enacted Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001, which states a person injured in an accident may still recover compensation if they were partially responsible for that collision. However, the injured person may no longer recover for their losses if their level of fault is greater than that of the other driver. The application of this rule can be complicated and can have a large effect on the outcome of a case, but an attorney can help an injured person understand how this rule might play out in their own situation.
After a Rear-End Car Crash, Reach Out to a Local New Braunfels Lawyer
Car wrecks can be complicated and stressful events, even long after the actual crash occurs. Between managing medical care, insurance claims, and potentially missing time from work, an accident can leave you with a lot on your plate.
You do not need to shoulder the complete burden on your own. An attorney can help you investigate the crash, determine fault, and assert your right to be compensated for your losses. To learn more, schedule an initial consultation with an attorney experienced in handling rear-end car accidents in New Braunfels.
