- January 20, 2021
A rear-end car accident occurs when a driver hits the back of the vehicle in front of them. In South Carolina, typically, the driver who rear-ends another car is considered to be at fault and held liable for the injuries and damages. However, it could be doubtful who is at fault if the lead car’s driver stopped abruptly for no reason.
Rear-end accidents could also involve many cars, as a chain reaction. Following too closely or tailgating can easily lead to rear-end crashes.
If you or someone you love have been involved in a rear-end car accident and suffer injuries, you should consult a South Carolina auto accident attorney to help you protect your rights and recover your damages.
Cost Of Rear-End Collisions
The economic and non-economic losses from a rear-end car accident vary depending on the accident’s total damages. It can be challenging to calculate how much a rear-end accident is worth and file your claim and get compensation. Not always the tailing driver is at fault. The scenarios and the ways these auto accidents may occur are numerous. The damages can vary from minor to very severe, from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. There is not an average cost set for this type of incident.
It will all depend on the collision’s details and the damages the injured person faces now, but also long term.
How to Calculate Costs for A Rear-End Car Accident
The damages and injuries people often face due to a rear-end collision based on which compensation will be estimated are the following:
Medical Expenses
Out of all types of car accidents, rear-end car accidents are the most frequent ones, and because they occur when the car in front is stopped or moving very slowly, these accidents are usually less severe.
Nevertheless, rear-end accidents can result in many medical expenses. Especially when the accident involves motorcycles or small cars, injuries can be tragic. Rear-end collision current and future medical expenses may include:
- Hospital expenses
- Doctor expenses
- Medication costs
- Physiotherapy costs
- Transportation costs to and from doctor appointments
A person involved in a rear-end car collision should always seek medical care after the accident. Like whiplash, some injuries may need time to fully manifest, so even if you feel that you are not hurt, you should get a medical examination. It is essential to create a record of your medical treatment that will help you to calculate your rear-end accident’s worth.
Income Loss
If you had to miss hours or days of work due to the rear-end accident you were involved in, you should include this in your claim too. Do not forget to keep a record of how many hours and days you had to skip work. Furthermore, you should include any bonuses or promotions you lost due to the conditions occurring due to the accident.
If your earning capacity has been affected by the accident, and now you have to work part-time or switch to a less demanding job position, you must also include this in your claim for compensation. It is complicated to calculate your income loss. Therefore, you should consult a South Carolina car accident attorney to help you.
Property Damage
In case that your rear-end accident caused only property damages, you can file a property damage claim without any personal injuries and get compensated for your car damage expenses. The at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for recovering your property’s damages.
If, along with your car damage, you suffered personal injuries, then you can include the property damage in your injury claim. You should keep a file with all the repair receipts. In the rare case that your vehicle was totaled in a rear-end crash, you will have to try and determine the market value of your car.
Pain and Suffering Damages
Pain and suffering damages are the non-economic damages that are difficult to prove. You cannot present evidence like receipts or bills to prove or measure your mental pain caused by your injuries. The way to measure the non-economic damages is based on how the accident has affected your everyday life. For example, you may suffer depression or post-traumatic stress disorder after an accident.
Contact a Car Accident Lawyer in Greenville, SC
Insurance companies will try to reduce the amount they will have to pay to recover a rear-end accident compensation costs. That’s why it is best to consult an auto accident lawyer to help you fight for your rights for full compensation.
Contact us at Brumback and Langley for a free consultation appointment to discuss the details of your case. Our experienced car accident attorneys will help you negotiate for a fair settlement.