The last thing anybody expects is that they will be involved in an accident on the roadway. Unfortunately, rear-end accidents are not uncommon throughout the state of Georgia. While most people are quick to write off rear-end accidents as seemingly minor, the reality is that these incidents can lead to severe injuries and significant property damage. Here, we want to discuss some of the main causes of rear-end accidents in Georgia, who is at fault in these accidents, and how an attorney can help with a rear-end car accident claim.
Common causes of rear-end accidents
Rear-end accidents in Georgia happen in a variety of ways. When investigating these collisions, it is often determined that they were caused by a driver:
- Texting while operating the vehicle
- Talking on a cell phone while driving
- Being distracted by others in the vehicle
- Reaching for objects in the vehicle
- Operating while impaired by drugs or alcohol
- Operating too fast for conditions
- Following another vehicle too closely (tailgating)
Who is at fault?
In the vast majority of rear-end accident cases, liability does fall to the rear driver. This is because all drivers are expected to ensure there is enough distance between themselves and the vehicle in front of them so that they will have enough time to react appropriately to avoid a collision if the leading vehicle’s driver does something erratic or slams on their brakes. That is why we find that law enforcement officials typically cite the rear driver after a rear-end collision.
However, liability will not always fall to the rear driver, particularly if the front driver or another vehicle on the roadway contributed to or caused the collision. For example, if the front vehicle in a rear-end collision swerves into another lane because they were intoxicated, and this rapid lane change did not give the rear driver time to react, then fault for the collision will likely fall to the impaired driver.
Law enforcement officials will conduct their investigation at the scene of the crash and help determine liability. All of the facts related to the collision must be examined to determine whether or not the rear driver was indeed the one responsible.
How can an attorney help with your rear-end car accident claim?
If you or somebody you care about has been injured or sustained property damage caused by a rear-end accident, you may need to seek assistance from a car accident attorney for help with your case. If you think another driver was at fault for your rear-end accident, you need to understand that determining fault during the insurance settlement process can become complicated. A Peachtree City personal injury lawyer will be able to use their resources and legal expertise to conduct a complete investigation into the case. This can include gathering:
- Photo or video surveillance from the scene of the crash
- Statements from eyewitnesses to the crash
- Police and accident reports
- Vehicle “black box” data
- Cell phone data records
- …and more
Using the evidence gathered, an attorney will work to prove the liability of the other driver involved in order to obtain maximum compensation for the rear-end accident victim.