Rear-End Truck Accident Lawyer in Charlotte

Rear-end collisions are among the most common types of car accidents in Charlotte and throughout the United States. Rear-end truck accidents can cause severe injuries, especially when a semi-truck rear-ends a smaller passenger vehicle. If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a rear-end truck accident in the greater Charlotte area, you need a skilled attorney fighting for your rights.

At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we will carefully investigate the car accident that caused your injuries, gather evidence, and advocate for your right to get the money you deserve. Contact our Charlotte-area truck accident law firm today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about how we will fight for you.

The Charlotte area has grown exponentially in recent years. The increase in Charlotte residents has resulted in more traffic because new roads cannot be built fast enough. An increase in heavier traffic congestion can lead to more rear-end accidents. Additionally, drivers are more distracted now than ever, looking down at cell phones to text, watch videos, or call while sitting in heavy traffic. Failure to focus on the car in front can lead to dangerous rear-end accidents.

Rear-end collisions can be terrifying because they often happen without warning. Drivers typically focus their attention on the sides and front of their vehicle rather than the rear. One moment, a driver is driving her car, and the next, a car slams into her, causing her body to hit forward and backward quickly. Even if a driver is aware of an impending impact coming from behind his vehicle, there is no evasive action the driver can take to stop the car accident.

There are many different causes of rear-end accidents, but distracted driving is one of the leading causes. Many rear-end collisions occur when the at-fault driver is:

• Not paying attention or distracted
• Following the vehicle in front too closely
• Trying to run a yellow light before the light turns red
• Changing lanes
• Speeding
• Intoxicated

During winter storms and other hazardous driving conditions, such as snow, fog, heavy rain, or sleet, a rear-end collision could occur when the driver fails to adjust his or her speed for the conditions. All drivers have a responsibility to drive reasonably safely under the conditions. Driving a car reasonably could require the driver to slow down below the posted speed limit to avoid a collision in inclement weather.

In most cases, the driver who rear-ends the car in front of him or her is liable for the injuries and damages caused by the rear-end collision. Drivers have a duty to drive reasonably under the circumstances, including stopping their vehicle before it collides with a vehicle in front. There is an exception to this general rule. When three or more cars are involved in a chain reaction, the driver of the vehicle that started the multi-vehicle collision by rear-ending the first vehicle is usually liable for the injuries.

As with any other type of car accident, various injuries can be caused by rear-end car accidents. However, one of the most common injuries for victims of rear-end car accidents is whiplash. Whiplash is a type of neck injury that occurs after there is hyperextension and hyperflexion of the neck. Whiplash results from the head being violently pushed forward by the impact of the car accident. Then the next is snapped backward. The force of the rear-end accident can stretch the neck’s structure and tissue beyond the normal range of motion.

As a result, pain and stiffness can occur. It is important to receive a thorough medical evaluation after a rear-end accident, even if your neck does not hurt. The symptoms of whiplash and other neck and back injuries may not appear until at least a day or two after the accident. Back injuries can happen when the stress of the rear-end collision places pressure on the spine’s muscles and ligaments, forcing an abnormal range of motion. Other types of injuries caused by rear-end collisions include contusions, bone fractures, and head injuries.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a rear-end truck accident, you may be entitled to compensation. At Arnold & Smith, PLLC, we offer our clients a free initial consultation so they can learn more about their case and ask us questions. Contact our Charlotte personal injury law firm today to schedule your initial consultation.