Imagine sitting at a stop light, and you’re suddenly jolted forward with great force. Someone has collided with you. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash, accounting for 27% of all accidents. If you suffered injuries in a rear-end collision, you may have the right to seek compensation for your losses. Read on to learn more about what commonly causes rear-end collisions and how a Sacramento rear-end collision lawyer can help you.
Sacramento’s Rear-End Collision Landscape
In 2022, rear-end accidents accounted for 36% of California’s fatal and serious injury vehicle accidents. Vehicle accidents happen in all traffic conditions, but certain local patterns increase the risk for rear-end crashes, such as:
- Congested intersections like Howe Avenue and Arden Way, or near the I-80/Business 80 split, see frequent slowdowns and sudden stops;
- During peak hours, one distracted glance at a phone or a late braking moment can lead to a multi-car collision; and
- Rear-end crashes also occur at low speeds in retail parking lots and drive-thrus, such as the In-N-Out on Truxel Road, which has seen multiple fender-benders due to driver inattention or sudden starts.
While these incidents may seem minor, even low-speed impacts can cause soft tissue injuries or aggravate pre-existing conditions, especially for older drivers.
What Causes Most Rear-End Collisions?
Rear-end collisions occur when one car collides with another car directly in front of them. The driver in the front car cannot prevent the accident from happening. For this reason, most rear-end collisions are usually the rear driver’s fault.
When asking what most rear-end collisions are caused by, there is no simple or singular answer. You can learn how to avoid rear-end collisions by familiarizing yourself with the most common ways these collisions occur so you can spot danger in the future.
Distracted Driving
How can you help prevent rear-end collisions? One of the easiest ways is to refrain from getting distracted while driving. Distracted driving is dangerous behavior encompassing many activities, including texting or talking on the phone, engaging with other passengers, eating, reading, adjusting the radio or GPS, and putting on makeup. It may be difficult to resist the distractions available to drivers today, but it’s wise to avoid them until your journey is complete.
Tailgating
Following cars too closely out of impatience or anger is a dangerous behavior that makes it impossible to stop when traffic conditions suddenly change. Drivers must leave enough room between their vehicle and the car in front of them to avoid a collision.
Reckless Driving
Behaviors like speeding, changing lanes quickly, following too closely, and running red lights and stop signs increase the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Many of these behaviors are illegal and can have severe consequences besides the harm they cause. If you see a driver engaging in this behavior, avoiding them can help prevent a rear-end collision.
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs or Alcohol
Driving under the influence is illegal and extremely dangerous. Drugs and alcohol severely deplete a driver’s ability to react to changing conditions and create a life-threatening situation for the driver and other drivers on the road.
Establishing the driver’s fault is vital to recovering the compensation you need. The cause of the rear-end collision provides valuable information that your car accident attorney can use to establish liability definitively.
Common Injuries After a Rear-End Collision
Rear-end collisions can cause significant injuries, especially involving trucks or highway speeds. Even in low-impact crashes, certain parts of the body are particularly vulnerable. Common injuries resulting from rear-end collisions include:
- Neck. Whiplash is an injury caused by the head’s sudden jerking motion.
- Brain. Concussions or brain injuries resulting from abrupt force, even without direct head impact.
- Spine. Herniated discs are caused by pressure on the spine during the impact.
- Extremities. Shoulder and wrist injuries often occur when drivers brace themselves.
- Face/Jaw. TMJ and jaw pain due to tension or clenching at the moment of the collision.
Recovery timelines vary, and many symptoms don’t present immediately. That’s why seeking a medical evaluation is essential even if you feel fine right after the accident.
What to Do After a Rear-End Collision
After a rear-end collision, you may be stunned and shocked by what happened. However, taking the proper steps can greatly increase your chances of protecting your rights in a lawsuit.
Call 9-1-1
After an accident, you should always call 9-1-1. California law requires you to report an accident if there are injuries or death. However, it’s always wise to contact the police. Reporting police officers may assess the health and well-being of involved parties and request medical assistance. They also create an accident report detailing facts about the scene that can assist your Sacramento rear-end collision lawyer.
Exchange Information
Exchange information with the other driver, including their name, contact information, insurance details, and a photo of their driver’s license. If there were any witnesses to the collision, get their names and contact information. Your attorney may contact these witnesses to see if they have any additional information about the accident that may help your case.
Seek Medical Attention
Assess your physical condition and the condition of your passengers and other involved parties. Rear-end collisions and their effect on your body can create the illusion that you’re injury-free. However, many symptoms of serious injuries begin to appear in the hours, days, or even weeks following a collision. Tying your injuries to the crash is vital if you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. Failing to seek a medical evaluation gives insurance companies and the liable driver room to argue that the collision did not directly cause your injuries.
Gather Evidence
If you are physically able, gather evidence at the collision scene. Evidence includes photographs of the involved vehicles. Consider taking photos of the surrounding environment, including where the collision occurred. Quickly write notes about your memories of the events leading up to, during, and after the crash. Many of these memories fade quickly, so writing them down while still fresh can help refresh your memory when piecing together the events for your attorney.
Report Your Accident
Contact your insurance company to report your accident. If the insurance company for the other driver contacts you, don’t accept any settlement offers until you have spoken to an attorney. Insurance adjusters rarely make initial offers that grasp the total extent of your damages. While taking a sum of money may be tempting, it’s wise to wait until you understand the scope of your harm.
Contact an Attorney
Contact a rear-end collision lawyer to learn about your options for financial compensation. You are entitled to receive compensation in the form of economic and non-economic damages from the liable party.
Compensation You Can Seek in a Rear-End Accident Case
With the help of a Sacramento rear-end collision lawyer, you may be able to recover compensation for various damages. In California, these fall under the categories of economic and noneconomic.
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses,
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation,
- Lost wages or reduced earning capacity, and
- Vehicle repair or replacement.
Noneconomic damages may include:
- Pain and suffering,
- Emotional distress, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
In rare cases, you may also seek punitive damages if the at-fault driver was under the influence or fled the scene. However, uninsured drivers may be limited in the damages they can claim.
Why Legal Support Matters After a Rear-End Crash
Getting compensated after a rear-end collision isn’t automatic. Insurance companies frequently downplay claims or reject fault, even in cases where responsibility appears obvious. When an attorney reviews your case, it strengthens your claim’s legal standing and ensures that your injuries and losses receive proper attention.
California gives you two years to file a personal injury claim after a car accident. But don’t wait too long because key evidence may disappear, and memories fade.
Your Legal Ally with Perspective
Our firm approaches every car accident claim with personal care and legal firepower that makes a difference. Our founding attorney, Ali Yousefi, has lived through a serious auto accident himself, so he knows firsthand how frustrating, painful, and disorienting the recovery process can be. That empathy shapes our commitment to every client we represent.
You deserve representation that treats you like more than a claim number. When you work with our Sacramento rear-end collision attorney, you get transparency, legal strategy, and a team that takes your injuries seriously.
Contact Us
At the Law Offices of Ali Yousefi, P.C., we provide clients with the best legal representation in car accident claims, family law matters, and employment law issues. We help you achieve the best possible outcome for your situation and pride ourselves on helping you solve your problems. At every phase of your case, we work closely with you so you can make the right decisions about your legal needs. Contact us today by phone or email for a free consultation to find out how we can help you! We are fluent in English, Spanish, and Farsi and serve clients across Sacramento.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who Is Most Often at Fault in a Rear-End Collision?
Most rear-end collision statistics find that the rear driver is usually at fault. However, this is not always the case. Your lawyer will analyze the circumstances to determine fault.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Rear-End Collisions?
The leading cause of rear-end collisions is following a car too closely and not allowing enough time to stop when required. Following too closely is also referred to as tailgating.
What Are Rear-End Collisions?
Rear-end collisions occur when a driver collides with the car directly in front of them. These may occur at slow or high speeds, depending on the situation.
What Are the Aftereffects of a Rear-End Collision?
Rear-end collisions and their effect on your body vary from person to person. Common aftereffects of these collisions include back pain, shoulder injuries, whiplash, and sometimes traumatic brain injuries.
Do Airbags Deploy in Rear-End Collisions?
Even if your rear-end collision happens when you are at a complete stop, the force of a vehicle hitting you from behind may cause your airbags to deploy.
Can Rear-End Collisions Involve Multiple Vehicles?
Yes. Chain-reaction crashes often occur in Sacramento during heavy traffic or bad weather. Assigning fault and pursuing compensation can be more complex in these cases.
Can I File a Claim If the Rear-End Accident Was a Minor Fender-Bender?
Yes. Even minor accidents can lead to long-term injuries or property damage. Always speak with a lawyer before accepting a lowball settlement.
What Happens If the Other Driver Doesn’t Have Insurance?
You may still have options through your uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or by pursuing a civil claim. An attorney can review your policy and guide you through the process.
What If I Was Partially at Fault?
California’s comparative fault law allows you to recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation is reduced in proportion to your degree of fault.
How Long Does It Take to Settle a Rear-End Accident Case?
The outcome depends on the case’s complexity, the severity of the injuries, and whether there is a dispute over liability. While some cases may be resolved within weeks, others may take months or longer.