Rear-End Collisions in Huntsville, AL

Tough representation when careless drivers crash into the back of your car

The odds are high that during your lifetime, an irresponsible driver will hit the back of your car while you’re waiting at an intersection or when traffic becomes backed up on Alabama Highway 53, University Drive, Memorial Parkway, Research Park Boulevard, or any other Alabama road. At Martin & Helms, our personal injury lawyers handle all types of rear-end accidents, including accidents between two cars and chain-reaction accidents. Our Huntsville accident attorneys hold these careless drivers accountable for your medical expenses, income losses, pain and suffering, and damage to the rear of your car. Call today when a rear-end accident happens anywhere in North Alabama.

How can we help?

How dangerous are rear-end accidents?

According to Look Up a Plate (a website that references many government statistics):

  • There were 1,457,155 rear-end collisions in 2020, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA). In 2019 (before COVID, when there were more cars on the road), there were 2,194,498 reported rear-end collisions.
  • About 20 percent of all non-fatal vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions.
  • Rear-end accidents are among the top 10 causes of fatal vehicle accidents.
  • According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a reduction of speed by 13 mph decreases rear-end accidents by 80 percent.
  • Only 3 percent of rear-end collisions happen at speeds of 25 mph or less.

How does a rear-end accident happen?

At Martin & Helms, we handle all types of rear-end collisions, whether they occur on main roads, at intersections, or at construction sites. We work with the police and our own investigators, as well as through the discovery process, to show how car accidents happen and who is responsible.

Rear-end accidents generally occur in one of the following ways:

Two-car collisions

Many rear-end accidents involve a front car that is waiting at a traffic light or stop sign for traffic to proceed – when a rear car crashes into the front car. Two-vehicle rear-end collisions can also occur when a front car is trying to merge into traffic or at any point in the front car’s journey. In these cases, the driver of the rear car is almost always liable.

Chain reaction accident

These accidents often involve two or more cars waiting in a line (at an intersection, a construction zone site, or other locations). A moving car then strikes the last car in the line – and that car then strikes the car directly in front of them. This chain reaction of rear-end collisions may continue until the first car in the line is struck, depending on the speed and size of the vehicles.

Hit-and-run accidents

Many hit-and-run accidents occur when an irresponsible driver collides with the rear of a car in front of the driver. The driver then leaves the scene of the accident because they’re intoxicated, driving without a license, driving without insurance, or fearful that if the police investigate, they will face severe criminal and civil consequences. Our Huntsville rear-end accident lawyers work with the police and our investigators to locate the hit-and-run driver.

If the hit-and-run driver cannot be found, we may file your personal injury claim with your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) insurance carrier.

Stopping short

Some rear-end collisions happen because the driver in the front car slams on their brakes (stops short) due to an emergency, such as when a pedestrian or animal darts in front of them or when there’s a pothole in front of them. The car in the rear then crashes into the car in front. In this scenario, liability for the car accident might be less clear.

Alabama uses contributory negligence instead of comparative negligence. This means that if you are at fault, you cannot recover damages. Some exceptions may apply. In comparative negligence states, you can generally recover damages provided you are less responsible than another driver – though your damage award will be reduced based on your degree/percentage of fault.

Why do rear-end collisions happen in Huntsville?

At Martin & Helms, we have the experience and working relationships with professionals to show that the rear-end collision is due to one of the following causes, among others:

  • Driving while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs
  • Driving while distracted, such as texting while driving, talking on a mobile phone, eating, drinking, smoking, or looking at a GPS
  • Speeding and other traffic violations
  • Driving too fast for weather or traffic conditions
  • Driving too closely
  • Driver tiredness
  • Defective auto parts
  • Driver inexperience
  • Employer pressure to drive fast

What injuries do rear-end accidents cause?

At Martin & Helms, we work with your doctors and our network of doctors when necessary when you have any type of serious injury due to a rear-end collision. Common rear-end accident injuries include:

According to the Mayo Clinic, whiplash “is a neck injury due to forceful, rapid back-and-forth movement of the neck, like the cracking of a whip.” While many victims who suffer from whiplash heal with a proper treatment plan, some victims live with chronic neck pain and other complications.

Who is liable for a rear-end collision?

Our Huntsville rear-end accident attorneys file personal injury claims against everyone responsible for the rear-end accident, including:

  • The driver in the rear
  • A hit-and-run driver
  • The employer of the driver
  • The owner of the vehicle (if different than the driver, such as the parents of a teenager who causes the car accident)
  • The manufacturers of defective brakes and other car parts
  • A construction company that fails to safely direct drivers to other lanes of travel
  • A seller of alcohol if the rear-end driver was intoxicated

UM/UIM insurance

If the rear-end driver was also a hit-and-run driver, we may be able to file your personal injury claim with your uninsured/underinsured (UM/UIM) carrier.

What is the value of my Huntsville rear-end accident claim?

Your injuries cost a lot of money and time to treat. The rear of your car needs to be fixed. You may live in agony for weeks, months, years, or a lifetime. At Martin & Helms, we demand compensation for all your damages to date and all your future damages, including;

  • Medical expenses, including ER care, hospitalizations, surgeries, physical therapy and other rehabilitative therapy, medications, and assistive technology
  • Lost income, including wages and business income
  • Physical pain and emotional suffering
  • The cost to repair your car
  • Loss of consortium (marital enjoyment)
  • Inability to enjoy life’s pleasures and loss of function

We seek punitive damages if the driver’s conduct was malicious or reckless – in personal injury and wrongful death claims.

Do you have a Huntsville rear-end accident lawyer near me?

Martin & Helms meets accident victims at our office located in Huntsville at 2317 Market Place SW, Suite A, Huntsville, AL 35801. We will travel to your home, hospital, or a healthcare facility if your injuries prevent you from coming to our office. Our lawyers also speak with clients by phone and through online consultations.

We’re here to answer your questions and prepare you for each step of the claims process.

Speak with our respected Huntsville rear-end accident lawyers today

We understand how upset you are. One moment, you’re enjoying life. The next moment, you’re worrying about your health and your bills. At Martin & Helms, we’ve helped many car accident victims like you obtain strong recoveries. Call our Huntsville car accident lawyers or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We also represent accident victims in Decatur, Athens, Madison, and throughout North Alabama.