Rear-End Car Accidents in Waco
Getting hit from behind while waiting at a stoplight or slowing down for upcoming highway traffic can be an intensely jarring experience even if you are fortunate enough to avoid being seriously injured. If an auto accident of this nature has left you severely hurt, you may be in for an even more uncomfortable and stressful experience if you try to recover fair financial compensation without guidance from seasoned legal counsel.
Rear-end car accidents in Waco can be deceptively challenging to file suit over, and you should think twice before proceeding with this kind of claim alone. With a knowledgeable car accident attorney on your side, you will be able to gather and preserve important evidence, build the strongest possible claim against the person who hit you, and navigate around common legal roadblocks that might otherwise keep you from getting paid what you deserve.
Who Is at Fault for a Rear-End Car Wreck?
It might seem logical to assume that the rearmost driver involved in a rear-end car accident is always the party at fault for the incident. To be fair, that assumption is likely based on the fact that the vast majority of rear-end crashes happen because someone was not paying attention to other vehicles in front of them, or because they were driving in a reckless way and cannot stop in time to avoid colliding with slower traffic.
However, people in Waco who get rear-ended and want to file suit over their ensuing injuries still have the burden of proving that the person who hit them caused the accident through legally actionable negligence. This is a requirement because there are many situations where the driver in front is partially responsible for causing a rear-end crash.
For example, if someone does not have functioning brake lights or they suddenly slam on their brakes for no reason, the driver behind might not be able to slow down fast enough to avoid hitting them. In a situation like this, state law allows courts to assign percentages of total faults to negligent plaintiffs and, based on that percentage, either reduce the value of their damage award or deny them any compensation whatsoever.
Recovering Fairly After Getting Rear-Ended
When a plaintiff can demonstrate they are not responsible for a rear-end crash, they can work with an experienced Waco lawyer to pursue compensation for their:
- Medical expenses
- Lost work income and/or working ability
- Vehicle repair/replacement costs and other forms of personal property damage
- Physical discomfort and pain
- Psychological trauma and emotional distress
- Lost consortium and/or enjoyment of life
With a seasoned legal professional’s help, it may be possible to recover not only for short-term losses which have already occurred at the time of filing, but also for expected future losses that will not fully manifest for years to come. Our proactive attorneys can help an injured plaintiff make the most of their rear-end crash case.
A Waco Attorney Can Help After a Rear-End Car Accident
While rear-end crashes may not be quite as deadly in statistical terms as other types of auto accident, they can still be immensely disruptive to every part of your life, typically resulting in serious physical injuries. Fortunately, after this kind of crash, you have a right to demand civil compensation from the person responsible for your losses.
Guidance from a qualified lawyer can be vital to achieving case success following a rear-end car accident in Waco. Call today to learn more about your legal options.
