Rear-End Car Accidents in Greenville, South Carolina

You’re driving along peacefully when it happens.  Your car is slammed from behind out of nowhere. Because you’re hit so hard, your car flies forward and you lose control.  Rear-end car accidents are on the rise in Greenville, SC.

From here, the story can go several different ways.   Your car can come to a stop with no injuries.  Your car can come to a stop with injuries, or, what happens all too often, your car hits another car or an object and there may or may not be injuries.

No matter how your rear-end collision occurs, the experienced rear-end collision lawyers at Hernandez & Cabra know it can be frightening and traumatic for everyone involved, especially the driver of the car that absorbed the hit.  Add to that the complications that come along with many rear-end collisions, and you may have a long road ahead when it comes to your injuries, your car repairs and getting the compensation you deserve.

What Causes Rear-end Car Accidents?

Rear-end car accidents can happen for a variety of different reasons.  The most common are:

Road Rage

Sometimes one driver wants to let their anger be known to another driver.  Unfortunately, not all drivers err on the side of caution and decide to follow very closely behind another driver to send their message.  The problem comes in when the driver in the front comes to a stop or slows down, and the driver in the rear hits the car in front.

Misjudgment

Riding too closely isn’t always related to anger.  Some drivers simply don’t properly judge the time and space needed to brake and/or come to a stop when following another vehicle.  When they’re too close, they may not have enough time to stop safely and a rear-end collision is the unfortunate result.

Distractions

Distracted driving is becoming more and more common these days, no thanks to the often-illegal use of handheld electronic devices like mobile phones.  When a driver is not engaged in driving and looking ahead as they should be, they can slam into the back of another vehicle simply because they weren’t paying attention.  

Road/Weather Conditions

A rear-end collision can occur on slippery roads. Wet roads from rain, icy roads from snow or even wet leaves can be a problem.  When a car brakes and begins to slide instead of slowing down, the driver and lose control even at low speeds and crash into the car in front.  

Common Injuries in a Tailgating Car Accident

There can be many injuries when someone rear-ends your car.  Some can be minor, like a small scrape, others can result in fatalities. Some of the most common injuries that come about in a rear-end collision include:

Whiplash

This is when the head and neck jerks forward and then snaps back as the result of a sharp blow or impact from behind.  Whiplash injuries can be minor and can heal with proper rest, but other whiplash injuries are quite significant, causing excruciating pain that can also involve the spinal cord and long-term, extensive physical therapy sessions.

Broken Bones

Depending on how to the accident happens, broken bones are common in rear-end collisions, especially those that happen at higher speeds.  Legs or arms can be crushed, or a person’s face can strike the dashboard causing a broken nose or jaw.

Brain Injuries

Head injuries are especially scary in rear-end car accidents because the damage may not show up immediately following the accident.   Headaches could begin days or even weeks later and could be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Concussions are often diagnosed, or traumatic brain injury (TBI) is also common in rear-end collisions.   

What to Do if You Are Involved in a Tailgating Car Accident in Greenville, South Carolina

Believe it or not, the front driver can be held liable in a rear-end collision.  It isn’t common, but if you find yourself saying, “someone rear-ended my car,” make sure you take the proper steps to protect yourself.  The lawyers at Hernandez & Cabra are ready to take your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.

We have decades of experience and an impressive history of walking away with big wins in tailgating car accident cases, so call us for a free consultation.  With the team of lawyers at Hernandez & Cabra on your side, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your rear-end collision case is in the right hands.