New Haven Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of two-car collisions, making up 17.3% of all two-car accidents. Although commonly associated with minor traffic fender-benders, rear-end accidents can result in serious injuries, including catastrophic injuries and death. There were around 3,400 deaths from rear-end collisions in 2022. Connecticut alone sees an average of 35,000 rear-end collisions each year, sometimes causing life-altering consequences to victims.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents in New Haven?

Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle’s front end crashes into the back end of a car directly in front of it. Rear-end accidents are also sometimes called tailgate accidents. Except in rare circumstances—such as a front driver who fails to turn on their lights after dark or whose brake lights malfunction—the rear driver is usually responsible for damages to accident victims. Common causes of rear-end accidents in New Haven include the following:

• Distracted driving: when a driver is texting, scrolling through social media, or otherwise using hands-on cell phone technology, or engaged in other distractions such as eating or retrieving dropped objects, they may fail to see a car slow or stop in front of them, resulting in a rear-end collision
• Speeding: when a driver significantly exceeds the speed limit, they require increased stopping time and may fail to stop in time to avoid a rear-end accident
• Unsafe lane changes: when a driver weaves through traffic they may fail to leave enough distance between their vehicle and the vehicle in front of them when merging into or out of a lane, causing a rear-end collision
• Intoxicated driving: when a driver is drunk or using mood-altering substances, they may have slower reaction times and impaired vision, resulting in a collision with a vehicle traveling in front of their vehicle
• Drowsy driving: if a driver drifts off at the wheel they may drive directly into the back end of a slowed or stopped vehicle in front of them

Some rear-end accidents are caused by extenuating circumstances such as defective brakes or slippery road conditions, but driver error is the most common cause of rear-end accidents in New Haven.

What Injuries Are Common In New Haven Rear-End Accidents?

Although occupants of both vehicles may suffer injuries in a rear-end collision, motorists in the front vehicle are more likely to suffer serious injuries because they often never see the other car coming and aren’t able to brace for the accident. The crash force in a rear-end collision propels the motorists forward against their seatbelts and then snaps them back against the seat cushion. Common injuries reported in rear-end accidents in New Haven include the following:

• Whiplash and other neck injuries (whiplash is the most common injury in rear-end collisions)
• Back injuries
• Traumatic head injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Wrist injuries
• Knee injuries
• Fractures
• Spinal cord injuries
• Facial injuries caused by airbag deployment
• Soft-tissue injuries, bruises, and lacerations

When the victim of a rear-end accident in Connecticut suffers any of the above injuries, their damages range from a single missed paycheck and large medical bill to life-altering disability.

What Can a Rear-End Accident Lawyer in New Haven Do for Me?

No matter how cut-and-dried liability in a rear-end accident may appear, insurance companies commonly dispute these claims or attempt to assign injury victims a portion of fault to lower the amount they have to pay out on a compensation claim by their percentage of fault. A New Haven car accident attorney from Weber & Rubano will safeguard your interests by investigating, compiling evidence, and making a compelling claim for liability to negotiate for the largest possible settlement. Call our New Haven law office today so we can begin a strong strategy for your recovery.