Getting hit from behind is difficult to avoid. Even if you look in your rearview mirror and see a car rapidly approaching, you might not be able to do anything to evade the accident.
Rear-end collisions range from minor to severe. Adrenaline and shock can prevent people from feeling pain on the scene. Many who feel fine immediately after the accident will experience pain the following day. The pain can be minor aches and pains, but it can also be a sign of more severe injuries like whiplash or other soft tissue injuries, sprains, strains, spinal injuries, or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). These serious injuries can develop over time with swelling and other complications.
You need a trusted ally in your corner when you are hurt in a rear-end collision. At Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz, many of our lawyers are from out-state, but we provide the same level of legal expertise you would expect from a big city firm. Our compassionate car accident attorneys can give you the help you need after a rear-end car accident in Mankato.
Tailgating is a top cause of rear-end collisions. Drivers should leave at least two seconds of following distance between them and the car in front of them. Under ideal conditions, a two-second following distance allows the trail vehicle to stop instead of hitting the vehicle in front of them.
Drivers may take longer to stop in conditions like fog, rain, or snow. Since trail vehicles may not be able to see road conditions in front of lead vehicles, they need to leave enough distance to avoid hitting the lead car if it comes to an abrupt stop.
Driver inattention can also play a role in rear-end car accidents in Mankato. A few seconds of distraction can keep a driver from stopping in time, even if they were maintaining an appropriate following distance. Some people will swerve into a space in front of a driver and hit the brakes in an attempt to engineer a rear-end collision. They may be liable for the accident, but proving liability can be difficult.
Rear-end collisions can cause a variety of injuries depending on the speed of the collision and the damage to the vehicle. One common injury is whiplash, which happens when the head moves back and forth after a sudden impact.
Whiplash is a soft tissue injury that can range from mild to severe. Symptoms include pain in the neck, shoulders, back, and arms. It can also lead to dizziness and vertigo. Other symptoms include muscle spasms, headaches, stiff neck, tenderness, and nerve pain.
You may be entitled to substantial compensation if you are injured in a rear-end car wreck. You may still be able to recover if you contributed to the wreck as long as you were no more than 50 percent responsible for the accident.
Schedule a consultation with an attorney to learn more about your rights, responsibilities, and remedies after rear-end car accidents in Mankato. We can review the facts of the case, discuss liability, review injuries, and help you understand your potential remedies.
