Have you been injured in a rear-end car accident in the Mooresville, NC, area? Maybe it happened in stop-and-go traffic on I-77. Perhaps someone got distracted and hit you while you were waiting to turn onto Main Street. Regardless of the specific circumstances, if someone else was to blame for what happened, they should have to pay for the consequences, including your medical care, lost income, and pain and suffering.
Unfortunately, their insurance company might not agree. It may dispute fault or push a lowball settlement on you in an attempt to protect its bottom line. You need someone to stand up to them on your behalf and fight to recover the full and fair compensation you’re entitled to.
Since 2010, Schwaba Law Firm has been proud to serve accident victims in Iredell County and throughout North Carolina. We’ve secured life-changing recoveries on our clients’ behalf, including a $1.1 million verdict in a motor vehicle collision case. While past results do not guarantee future outcomes, you can trust us to work hard to get you the outcome you deserve.
Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation with a Mooresville rear-end car accident lawyer, and discover how we can fight for you.
Common Causes of Rear-End Car Accidents in Mooresville
According to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for about 29 percent of all motor vehicle accidents. The agency found that these crashes often result from a driver’s failure to respond to stopped or decelerating vehicles in front of them, or from a delay in reacting. Such failures may take the form of the following:
- Following too closely and leaving too little distance to stop safely
- Distracted driving, including texting, phone use, or interacting with in-vehicle technology
- Speeding and reducing the time available to react to changing traffic conditions
- Tailgating aggressively in congested traffic
- Driver fatigue causing delayed reaction times or momentary lapses in attention
- Impaired driving due to alcohol, drugs, or certain medications
- Failing to adjust driving for rain, snow, ice, or other hazardous road conditions
Injuries Commonly Caused by Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end collisions often result in such serious injuries as the following:
- Cuts and bruises caused by broken glass or loose objects inside the vehicle
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
- Whiplash and other damage to the soft tissues of the neck
- Back strains and sprains affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons
- Shoulder injuries, including rotator cuff tears and dislocations
- Herniated or bulging spinal discs
- Spinal cord injuries, including partial or complete paralysis in severe cases
- Chest injuries, such as bruising or fractured ribs from the seat belt
- Broken bones, particularly in ribs or extremities
Many people assume that low-speed impacts result in only minor injuries. However, this is not the case. Even at just 30 mph, a traffic collision puts the same force on the body as a fall from a three-story building. That’s enough to result in serious, potentially life-threatening injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable for a Rear-End Accident?
Many different parties could be liable for a rear-end accident. North Carolina requires drivers to maintain a safe following distance from the vehicle in front of them. As such, the rear driver is often presumed to be at fault in a rear-end collision. However, other road users may also be to blame, such as a driver who cuts off another motorist and forces them to slam on the brakes, or a pedestrian who darts into traffic suddenly.
Other potentially liable parties include the following:
- The at-fault driver’s employer, if the accident happened while the driver was on the job
- Maintenance providers who failed to address potential safety issues
- Manufacturers that produced defective components, such as unsafe brakes or tires
- Government entities or private property owners that failed to put up adequate traffic controls
- Road crews that did not properly manage construction zones
Your lawyer can investigate what happened to identify everyone who might be to blame for your injuries.
Compensation Available After a Rear-End Collision
If someone else is at fault for the rear-end collision that injured you, they could owe you money for such losses as the following:
- Current and future medical treatment, including ongoing rehab and therapy
- Lost income, including any wages, salary, benefits, bonuses, and commissions you couldn’t earn while you were healing
- Reduced earning potential if your injuries affect your ability to advance your career or perform work duties
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Property damage, including to your vehicle
Don’t expect the at-fault party’s insurance company to pay you fairly. As a for-profit business, it has every incentive to downplay your claim, shift blame onto you, or trick you into accepting a hasty settlement that pays you pennies on the dollar. Fortunately, you can fight back against these tactics by hiring an experienced rear-end accident lawyer of your own.
What to Do After a Rear-End Accident in Mooresville
You can protect yourself by taking a few simple steps after a rear-end accident in Mooresville. If you haven’t done so already, let the authorities know what happened. North Carolina requires that you do so if the accident resulted in injuries or at least $1,000 in suspected property damage, which is common even in low-speed crashes. You should also let your insurer know about the accident, but be careful what you say and do not speculate on matters of fault.
Next, get medical help and tell the doctor you were in a rear-end accident. Treatment isn’t just important for your health. It also documents that your injuries are likely connected to the collision.
As you continue treating your injuries, start working on an evidence folder. Include a written account of the accident as you remember it, as well as any photos or videos you took at the scene. Gather copies of your medical records, and request a copy of the police accident report. You can do so online through the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Finally, contact a rear-end accident lawyer in Mooresville to request a free, fully confidential consultation. Bring your evidence folder with you so you and your attorney can review it together.
Speak With a Mooresville Rear-End Car Accident Lawyer Today
Injured in a rear-end collision in the Mooresville area? Then don’t wait to get the help you need to demand fair compensation for what you’ve suffered. Schwaba Law Firm provides professional, experienced, and aggressive representation, and we take pride in the positive experiences our clients have had with our firm. As one said:
“I cannot say enough good about this law firm. Andy made us feel like family. He was there at our side every moment. Never did we feel like a client. He fought for us as if we were his own family. I don’t know what I would have done without him. He is not just a great lawyer. He is a good man. I would definitely go to him again. I just pray I never have to need him ever again, but if I do, I will be confident he will get the job done.”
– Love Light
Contact us today for your free, no-obligation consultation with a rear-end accident lawyer in Mooresville. We’ll listen to your story, present you with the options available to you, and explain what we can do on your behalf. Your case review is fully confidential, and you pay nothing unless we successfully resolve your matter.
