Thornton Rear-End Accident Lawyer

A rear-end collision occurs when the front of one vehicle crashes into the back of another. These are the most common types of car accidents in Colorado, often resulting from distracted driving.

If you were struck from behind while driving, you might be facing serious injuries as well as damage to your vehicle. A Lakewood rear-end accident lawyer could help you pursue the compensation you deserve. Discuss your case with a seasoned vehicle wreck attorney today.

Typical Scenarios that Result in Rear-End Accidents

Distracted driving is a very common cause of accidents in general, but especially rear-end accidents. If someone is texting, adjusting the radio, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted leading up to a red light, they will often fail to react to a stopped car in front of them and end up colliding with the rear of the vehicle.

Tailgating accidents also commonly occur on highways with stop-and-go traffic. If traffic suddenly stops or slows for any reason, a driver that is not paying attention to the road may collide with the car in front of them. These crashes could result in severe injuries if the car was traveling at a high speed.

Rear-end collisions also commonly occur in intersections. If a driver is traveling through an intersection and needs to stop suddenly, perhaps for a pedestrian or animal, the driver behind them may hit the back of their vehicle if they are not paying attention. Tailgating accidents can result in serious injuries, so it is crucial to call the police and consult with a Thornton attorney as soon as possible to ensure that injuries are treated and evidence is collected to pursue a claim against the at-fault driver.

Assigning Fault in Tailgating Collisions

In a rear-end collision, fault is almost always assigned to the person driving the vehicle in the back. These motorists usually do not give themselves enough time to stop and end up crashing into the car in front of them, whether due to intoxication, distraction, or just reckless driving. However, there may be situations where the other driver holds some fault in the accident.

The Role of Contributory Negligence

The defendant driver who collides in a rear-end collision with the driver in front of them can raise certain defenses to say that the driver in front violated the law in some way, which contributed to the accident. A typical example of that would be when the driver in front suddenly changes lanes and comes to a stop suddenly. In these cases, the driver behind might raise that defense that the driver in front did not give the driver behind enough time to react.

In Thornton, a driver who contributed in part to an accident will be eligible for less compensation as a result under contributory negligence standards. An experienced attorney could use evidence from the wreck, including police reports and witness testimony, to show the court that the defendant holds the majority of fault in a tailgating crash.

Schedule a Consultation with a Thornton Rear-End Accident Attorney

If you or a loved one have been injured in a tailgating collision, you could be facing severe injuries, medical bills, long-term rehabilitation, property damage, and more. You deserve fair compensation for your losses.

A Thornton rear-end accident lawyer could help you hold the at-fault driver accountable and pursue a damages award that accounts for your injuries. Reach out today to learn more about your legal options.