Statistically speaking, there are about three rear-end collisions reported in Sacramento, California, every day. Most of these Sacramento rear-end accidents happen because drivers are in a rush, distracted, impaired by drugs or alcohol, or suffering from road rage. When you suffer injuries or experience the wrongful death of a loved one in a Sacramento rear-end car accident, it’s important to assert your legal rights.
The experienced Sacramento car accident lawyers at Singleton Schreiber are here to help you maximize your compensation.
We’re nationally acclaimed civil trial attorneys recognized for excellence in litigation by Law Dragon 500, Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, The National Law Journal, and Sacramento Magazine. As unwavering advocates for our client’s rights and best interests, we’ve successfully recovered billions of dollars in settlements and jury awards from insurance companies, vehicle manufacturers, government agencies, and other powerful adversaries.
Now, we’re ready to help you demand accountability after a rear-end collision, too. We offer a free consultation for all prospective clients. Contact our personal injury lawyers in Sacramento to discuss the details of your car accident today.
Rear-End Car Accidents Can Cause Serious Soft Tissue Injuries
In 2023, 1,112 rear-end collisions were reported within Sacramento’s city limits. This represented 31.13 percent of the city’s total crashes that year. For many, these rear-end crashes were life-changing. At least 7 people were killed in Sacramento rear-end crashes that year, while another 1,627 sustained a wide range of physical injuries.
Among those injuries reported, 25 were classified as “severe” and another 408 were classified as “visible.” At least 60 percent of rear-end collision crash victims complained of pain after their respective wrecks.
Complaints of pain absent any outward symptoms of physical injury are quite common after rear-end collisions, especially for low-impact crashes at reduced speeds.
Consider what happens to the body in a rear-end crash.
When a vehicle is struck from behind, occupants move forward, whether their vehicle was in motion at the time of the crash or not. The forceful forward motion causes the occupant’s seat belt to tighten, which holds the torso in place. However, the occupant’s head and neck are unrestrained, and those will continue to move forward. The nerves, tendons, and bones in the neck and spine overextend. Once the head and neck have stretched as far as they can, they’ll whip back rapidly. This back-and-forth motion, paired with hyperextension in multiple directions, can cause serious soft tissue injuries like whiplash that aren’t visible to the naked eye.
Whiplash and other soft tissue injuries can cause:
- Severe pain in the neck, shoulder, and arms
- Limited physical mobility
- Chronic and debilitating headaches
- Cognitive dysfunction
- Vision and hearing problems
Delayed medical treatment can exacerbate soft tissue injuries, causing them to worsen or develop into more serious physical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, bones, and musculoskeletal system.
Victims of rear-end crashes in Sacramento can also sustain more obvious physical injuries, including broken bones, concussion injuries, seat belt injuries to the chest and abdomen, airbag injuries, brain injuries, burns, and nerve damage.
What Causes Most Rear-End Collisions in Sacramento?
Like most types of car accidents, rear-end collisions are usually the result of driver negligence and/or other human errors.
Rear-end collisions, specifically, often involve drivers who:
- Text and drive
- Engage in other forms of distracted driving
- Drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Tailgate the vehicle in front of them
- Speed, especially in bad weather conditions
- Fail to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Make unsafe or illegal turns
- Fail to yield the right of way
- Merge into traffic improperly
- Refuse to allow other vehicles to merge into traffic
- Engage in reckless and aggressive behavior
According to California crash data, speeding was a factor in more than 80 percent of Sacramento rear-end car accidents in 2023, making it the primary cause of these types of collisions.
Is The Rear Driver Always Liable For a Rear-End Crash in Sacramento?
Not necessarily. Rear-end collisions can be complicated. There can be times when the lead vehicle shares responsibility or is entirely responsible for a rear-end crash. For instance, if a driver is texting and doesn’t notice that their traffic signal has turned green, they might bear some responsibility when an oncoming vehicle crashes into them at the intersection. Under California’s pure comparative fault system, anyone who contributes to a rear-end car accident will be liable for resulting damages. In this scenario, it’s possible that both the rear and front drivers could share blame for the crash.
Other times, auto defects affecting the brakes, lights, or steering systems could contribute to a rear-end collision. In these situations, the auto manufacturer might bear some or all of the liability for a rear-end crash.
At the end of the day, it’s imperative to conduct a thorough investigation into a rear-end collision to understand why and how it happened. When the cause is clear, liability can be established.
Rear-End Car Accident Victims in Sacramento Trust Singleton Schreiber
Singleton Schreiber can offer the experience, knowledge, resources, and skills you’ll need to make the most of your rear-end car accident claim. Our Sacramento personal injury attorneys will investigate your rear-end collision, gather and assess valuable evidence, collaborate with knowledgeable experts, and work to build a case that clearly demonstrates that you’re entitled to a top-dollar monetary award.
If the at-fault driver or their insurance company refuses to extend a fair settlement offer, our award-winning California trial attorneys will be prepared to bring them straight to court. We’re respected civil litigators with a multi-billion dollar track record of success. In fact, we’ve recovered more than $3 Billion in damages for clients just like you.
California imposes a two-year time limit on most car accident claims. You’ll lose the right to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and suffering if you miss the filing deadline. So, it’s important to take prompt action.
Don’t hesitate to call our Sacramento car accident lawyers for assistance with your rear-end crash case today. Your initial case review is always free.
