While many car accident types exist, including sideswipe and speeding accidents, rear-end collisions in which one vehicle strikes another from behind are among the more common types of crashes. Unfortunately, they can lead to serious injuries depending on the size and momentum of the vehicles involved. When a negligent or inattentive driver causes a collision, you may be entitled to damages for resulting harm. At Gelb & Gelb, DC rear-end car accident lawyer Roger Gelb has personally handled thousands of claims on behalf of injured individuals, particularly vehicle collision victims.
Unlike other law firms where paralegals and office staff intercept your efforts to speak with an attorney, clients maintain direct contact with Mr. Gelb throughout their representation. Attorney Gelb’s experience and legal knowledge have earned him top recognition in the region, and led to the successful recovery of over one hundred million dollars for clients. We are proud to continue to be a leading personal injury firm with multi-million dollar recoveries on behalf of people throughout DC.
Proving fault for a rear-end collision is the first step in a personal injury claim for damages. Legal responsibility, or liability, is not always easy to assess. However, in rear-end collisions, the following driver is often, though not always, responsible. If the following driver files a lawsuit against you, contact our DC rear-end car accident lawyers today. We can counter-sue on your behalf and get you the compensation you deserve. Some states, including Maryland, presume negligence for the following driver when a vehicle comes to a stop and another vehicle hits it from behind. The driver in the front may present evidence to prove they are not negligent. For example, if the front driver intentionally slammed on their brakes or reversed, the following driver may not be liable.
All DC drivers must maintain a safe following distance and avoid hitting the vehicle in front of them. They must also leave enough space to slow down suddenly if needed. Failing to exercise this care may be considered negligence or a breach of the duty of care. If this negligence causes a collision and injuries, the victim can recover damages from the at-fault driver.
Generally, proving liability in a rear-end collision is easier than most claims. This is true because we have the property damage to each car that tells a story. Our DC rear-end car accident lawyers present evidence through photographs of the damage to the rear of your vehicle and of the front of the vehicle that hit you. This is often sufficient to show that the defendant failed to brake in time and caused your injuries. But what if the other driver flees the scene? Then, we only have evidence showing the damage to your car. This is enough to show that you have suffered injuries. However, how can we prove that you were in a car accident with another vehicle? We can do this by your testimony, the testimony of passengers in your car, and the bystanders. But is there anything else we can do?
An expert witness may be able to examine the damage to your vehicle in-person and determine what may have caused that damage. For example, they can differentiate between damage from backing into a pole versus being struck by another car. Although, hiring this expert can increase the expenses in your case. Accordingly, you should consult with a DC rear-end car accident lawyer before proceeding with this option.
Contributory negligence may affect the success of a victim’s legal claim for damages within the District of Columbia. This affirmative defense raised by the defendant prevents recovery when a plaintiff was partly at fault for causing the accident that led to their harm. The defendant may assert this doctrine; even if the plaintiff is minimally at fault, they cannot secure any damages. An experienced DC rear-end car accident lawyer such as Roger Gelb can help you seek to counter the potentially harsh effects of this rule on your case.
The property damage in a car accident tells a story. By simply introducing into evidence exhibits of photographs of the damage to the respective vehicles, we can paint a picture of how the accident occurred. In select instances, we may hire an expert accident reconstruction witness who will testify how they believe the accident occurred based on their expertise. But what if the defendant is arguing that you cut them off? If that assertion is true, you would lose your case on its merits. How do we prove fault if the property damage indicates that one car may have been merging? The accident reconstruction expert may be able to conclude which direction the cars were merging from. This, coupled with information on what lane each car was in, can be enough to win the case on liability.
What other resources can we rely on as evidence in your rear-end collision? Police reports can be a valuable tool, although they are generally inadmissible at trial. While the report itself is inadmissible, much of the information within the report can be testified to at trial. Thus, our DC rear-end car accident lawyers often review the police report and then prepare a line of questioning for a witness based on that information. We may also use traffic camera footage or dash camera footage. Unfortunately, traffic camera footage is hard to come by.
Obtaining traffic footage from the District is generally a matter of luck. Often, traffic cameras do not cover the road we need. And even if they do, the footage may be lost by the time a client retains our services. Nonetheless, it is always worth investigating, as it can be the most compelling evidence in an accident.
Once the defendant’s legal fault has been established, the rear-end collision victim may be entitled to compensatory damages. Our DC rear-end car accident lawyers must prove these damages by a preponderance of the evidence. These damages are intended to place the victim in the position they would be in had the accident not occurred. While physical harm and property damage following a rear-end crash may not be as dire as in head-on collisions, the speed of impact can affect the severity of injuries such that they can be catastrophic.
Rear-end collision victims can recover lost wages, property damage costs, and medical expenses related to the accident. Additionally, a skilled DC rear-end car accident lawyer like Roger Gelb can help clients assess their pain and suffering associated with the accident so that they can fully recover. Though these may be a less quantitative form of damages, they can be equally significant for the victim and their family.
DC rear-end car accident lawyer Roger Gelb and his firm assist those injured by careless, negligent drivers. Insurance companies cannot be trusted to provide timely or fair payments to their insureds. Over 10,000 clients have recovered compensatory damages for their injuries and losses by relying on Mr. Gelb’s skilled advocacy.
Gelb & Gelb works as a dedicated team on your behalf. Our utmost goal is to provide compassionate, personal attention to every client. DC rear-end car accident lawyer Gelb is available to discuss your options. If you want to learn more about rear-end collisions in Washington, D.C., please contact Gelb & Gelb, P.C., at (202) 331-7227 or online. We assist individuals throughout the city.
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