Rear-end accidents can involve injuries such as whiplash, head and facial injuries, spinal injuries, and broken bones. These injuries can cost you thousands, keep you out of work for weeks or even months, and cause considerable pain and suffering.

If another party’s negligent behavior caused your accident, you can hold it liable for any related costs. A rear-end accident lawyer in Atlanta can protect you from greedy insurers and fight to get you the money you deserve.

In more than 20 years in business, S. Burke Law has fought enough rear-end collision claims to see it all. And because our firm’s founder worked as an insurance adjuster, we have in-depth experience and insider knowledge of how the other side handles these cases. To learn more about how we will fight for you after a rear-end accident, call 404-842-7838 today for a free consultation.

What Can I Recover for a Rear-End Collision?

You can recover any accident-related losses, both economic and noneconomic.

Economic damages include:

  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Miscellaneous costs, such as the cost of gas to get you to and from doctor’s appointments

Noneconomic damages (i.e., those without a set dollar amount) might include:

Who Is At-Fault for My Rear-End Collision?

In most cases, the rear driver is at-fault for a rear-end collision. This is because drivers have an obligation to pay close attention to other drivers, keep a safe following distance, and always scan for hazards. If a driver fails to do these things and rear-ends another driver, it is likely he is at-fault.

However, it is possible that the driver in front is at-fault. This can occur if the front driver:

  • Cut in front of the other driver and then applied the brakes quickly
  • Failed to replace burnt out brake lights
  • Pulled out in front of another driver
  • Backed up without looking

In some cases, both drivers will share fault. We can help you determine whether you may have contributed to the collision.

What If the Other Party Claims I Caused the Accident?

It is likely the at-fault party’s insurance company will try to reduce financial liability by shifting a share of the blame onto you. For instance, it could claim that you made an abrupt and unnecessary stop, contributing to the crash.

In Georgia, if an investigation finds a plaintiff was partially responsible for a crash, the insurer can reduce his award by his share of responsibility. For instance, if your damages total $100,000, but an investigation finds you 20 percent liable for the accident, you would only recover $80,000.

The S. Burke Law team can anticipate any such attempt by the other party (and the insurance company), and fight against it, helping to ensure you win the full award you deserve.

How Can I Recover Compensation for My Rear-End Accident Injuries?

To win compensation for your rear-end collision injuries and property damage, we must accomplish several things:

  1. Demonstrate through evidence that the other party was at fault in the accident;
  2. Show that the crash resulted in injuries and other financial losses;
  3. Demonstrate the value of your losses (known as damages).

When we take your case, we start by conducting a thorough investigation into the circumstances of your accident, looking for proof of the other driver's responsibility.

Depending on the circumstances of your accident, we might work to prove any of the following caused your accident:

  • Distracted driving
  • Following too closely
  • Driving under the influence
  • Driving too fast for conditions (e.g., snow, ice, heavy rain, fog)
  • Improper lane changes
  • Mechanical failure (e.g., faulty brakes, stuck accelerator)

We seek evidence to demonstrate that at least one of the above conditions played a role in your crash. Sources of evidence we need for your case might include:

  • Police reports
  • Witness statements
  • Photographs
  • Surveillance footage (if a red-light camera or nearby business’ surveillance camera caught the accident, we can use this footage to prove the event occurred exactly as you claim)
  • Accident reconstruction
  • Cell phone records (this can help prove the driver was distracted at the time of collision)
  • Expert witness testimony

We also gather evidence to prove your damages. This might include:

  • Medical bills
  • W-2s or paystubs
  • Any accident-related receipts
  • Testimony from your friends and family to establish how the accident affected you

We Fight the Insurance Company and Never Settle for Less

In the negotiation process that follows a rear-end collision, insurance companies are notoriously difficult to deal with. Their objective, of course, is profit, and one way they achieve this is by reducing or denying claims whenever possible.

Our founder knows how to anticipate and counter every tactic the insurance company might use. We use this knowledge as power when fighting the insurance company on your behalf, making sure you always get the fair compensation you deserve.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Atlanta Rear-End Collision Attorney Today

The S. Burke Law team is eager to help you. Let us fight for your fair compensation after a rear-end collision. To set up your free consultation with a rear-end accident lawyer in Atlanta, call 404-842-7838.