Rear-end crashes are extremely common. If you were injured in a rear-end collision in Tampa, FL, an experienced car accident lawyer can help you fight to recover the fair compensation you deserve. Call Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers today to learn more about your right to recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
We have over 28 years of experience helping clients like you recover meaningful compensation after an accident. In fact, we’ve recovered over $500 million for accident victims in the Tampa Bay area.
A car crash can happen in an instant. Call our law offices in Tampa, Florida at (813) 222-8656 to schedule a free consultation today to learn more about your legal rights.
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How Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers Can Help After a Rear-End Crash in Tampa
Most drivers believe that it’s easy to recover compensation after a rear-end crash. After all, isn’t the driver in the rear automatically to blame?
That’s not always true. Many different factors can complicate your case–including Florida no-fault insurance laws. You could also be blamed for causing the accident or failing to mitigate damages even if you were the one rear-ended.
Having an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer from Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers by your side can make a world of difference. Insurance companies recognize our law firm. When they see our name, they know they should take your claim seriously.
You can trust our lawyers to:
- Conduct a detailed investigation
- Identify all responsible parties and insurance coverage
- Gather evidence to back up your claim
- Hire experts and specialists as needed
- Negotiate with the insurance companies to maximize your settlement
We’ve recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for accident victims since we opened our doors in 1992. We would be proud to help your family. Call a trusted Tampa car accident lawyer for a free consultation today.
How Common Are Rear-End Crashes in Tampa, FL?
Rear-end collisions are perhaps the most common type of crash in the United States. In fact, studies by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimate that about 30% of all accidents are rear-end crashes.
Nationwide, there are about 1.7 million rear-end crashes every year. According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV), about 341,367 motor vehicle accidents occurred statewide in 2020. Over 24,000 of these accidents were reported in Hillsborough County.
That means more than 100,000 rear-end accidents were reported statewide in 2020. About 7,250 of those accidents occurred in Hillsborough County.
Other common types of car accidents in Tampa include:
- Head-on crashes
- Rollover accidents
- Highway crashes
- Lane change accidents
- Single-vehicle accidents
- Self driving cars
- Parking lot accidents
What is My Tampa Rear-End Crash Case Worth?
The value of your personal injury claim will depend on the nature and severity of your injuries.
Other factors that can play a role include:
- The cost of repairing your vehicle
- Your need for ongoing medical treatment
- Permanent or long-term disabilities
- The at-fault driver’s insurance coverage and/or personal assets
- Whether your acts contributed to the crash
You don’t have to take the insurance company’s initial offer. Our lawyers can help you negotiate a settlement that fully accounts for your costs. Just give us a quick call to schedule a free initial consultation today.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Rear-End Car Accident Victims?
Any car accident can cause significant damage. Your damages might be especially far-reaching if you were hit by a larger vehicle or one that was traveling at higher speeds. As the victim, Florida personal injury laws give you the right to recover compensation for your financial costs (or economic damages).
A fair economic damages award usually includes compensation for:
- Past and future medical expenses, including ER visits, doctor’s visits, medications, etc.
- Lost wages and income
- Loss of future earning potential
- Rehabilitation
- Property damage
Your non-economic damages represent more subjective losses. These losses are often called “pain and suffering damages” and may include:
- Physical pain
- Emotional distress
- Diminished quality of life
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Anxiety or depression
- Loss of consortium
Serious rear-end crashes can be fatal. If you lost a family member, our attorneys in Tampa can help you file a wrongful death claim for additional damages.
Can I Recover Damages If I’m Being Blamed for a Rear End Crash in Florida?
Most of the time, the driver in the rear vehicle is blamed for a rear-end crash. However, there are situations where the car in front can share some of the blame.
Under Florida comparative fault laws, responsibility is allocated between all parties whose acts contributed to the accident. For example, it’s possible that some of the blame could be allocated to you, as the vehicle in front, if:
- Your brake lights were out
- You stopped suddenly and without warning
Even if you do share some blame, you can still recover compensation if another party was at least partly responsible. Your compensation will simply be reduced to account for your percentage of fault.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Rear End Crash Injuries
Rear-end accidents involve at least two vehicles: a leading car and a tailing car. The tailing car, which is often moving faster, collides with the rear of the leading car. In the process, the tailing car pushes some of its force into the leading car–which may even be completely stopped at an intersection.
Some rear-end crashes are minor fender benders. After exchanging insurance information, you might go on your way or even have a minor dent repaired under Florida no-fault insurance laws.
In other cases, the consequences can be much more serious. Rear-end crashes can have a “domino effect” and end up causing a serious multi-vehicle accident where the leading car is pushed into vehicles ahead of it.
The resulting injuries can be severe. Some of the most common types of injuries sustained in rear-end accidents include:
- Whiplash injuries
- Other neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts and lacerations
- Broken bones
- Burns
- Soft tissue injuries, including muscle strains and torn ligaments
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Nerve damage
- Facial injuries, especially if the airbag deploys
- Eye injuries
- Concussions
- Back injuries
- Amputation injuries
- Chest injuries
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Some of these injuries occur when the force of the impact throws passengers in the vehicle forward, and then are jolted back again. Seat belts and airbags can cause bruising and other tissue damage.
Rear-end crash injuries can be serious and even life-threatening. If you were injured, seek medical attention right away.
What Causes Most Rear-End Crashes in Tampa, Florida?
Most rear-end collisions occur because someone wasn’t paying attention. However, there are a number of factors that can contribute to the cause of a rear-end accident.
Some of the most common causes of rear-end crashes in Tampa include:
- Texting while driving
- Other forms of driver distraction, such as eating, drinking, or reaching for an object
- Drunk driving
- Broken tail lights or faulty wiring
- Pedestrians or bicyclists darting into traffic
- Failure to notice changes in traffic patterns
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Speeding
- Defective brakes
- Poor visibility
- Dangerous roads, intersections and road defects
Rear-end collisions often happen when vehicles are stopping or slowing down. Typically, the vehicle in the rear doesn’t notice the change in speeds.
It’s also possible that other factors, including vehicle defects, could play a role. If you were injured, our Tampa car accident attorneys at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers can investigate to help you identify the cause of the crash. Just call for a free case review to learn more.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Rear-End Crash in Tampa, FL?
Like most traffic accidents, rear-end accidents are usually unintentional. In other words, this type of collision happens because someone was negligent.
To prove negligence, the victim must establish the four elements of a negligence claim, including:
- A legal duty of care
- Breach of duty
- The breach caused the accident
- Damages
Typically, the driver in the rear is presumed to have caused the accident. However, it can be difficult to prove that you deserve compensation without the help of an experienced lawyer.
Call our Tampa car accident lawyers at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers today if you were rear-ended and injured. Your case evaluation is free, so there’s no risk in seeking legal advice.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Rear-End Crash in Florida?
Most rear-end crash cases are resolved by filing a claim with the insurance company. However, it’s possible that more serious cases will go to court.
In Florida, the statute of limitations in personal injury cases is four years. Victims have four years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Wait too long, and you risk losing your right to compensation entirely.
Call Catania & Catania Injury Lawyers After A Car Accident in Tampa, Florida
Rear end crashes may be common, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be easy to get fair compensation. If you were involved in a rear end crash, call an experienced Tampa car accident lawyer at Catania and Catania Injury Lawyers for help fighting for the money you need. As always, we offer a free initial consultation.
