Were you recently rear-ended at an intersection in Fort Walton Beach, FL? If so, you may have the right to recover compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. The experienced Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers at Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers can help you fight to maximize your financial recovery.
Whether you’re filing a claim for benefits with your own insurance company or filing a lawsuit, Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers offers 60+ years of experience to support your fight. Since 1990, our law firm has helped crash victims win millions in settlements and verdicts.
Get our award-winning team in your corner today. We offer a free case evaluation and are standing by to take your call. Contact our law office in Fort Walton Beach or call (850) 863-5297 now.
How Our Fort Walton Beach Car Accident Lawyers Can Help If You’re in a Rear-End Collision
Rear-end crashes aren’t always minor fender benders. They can, and often do, result in serious, life-altering injuries. And despite the common belief that the rear driver is entirely at fault, that’s not always the case.
Getting maximum compensation for your rear-end car accident injuries can be a challenge. Make it easier by calling a Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyer for help.
With Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, you’ll benefit from more than six decades of experience and a team that’s won millions of dollars in financial awards. You’ll get the insight and experience of an attorney who spent years defending insurance companies against claims just like yours.
When you trust us after your Fort Walton Beach car accident, we will:
- Investigate the circumstances surrounding your rear-end collision
- Search for and gather important pieces of evidence, like police reports and medical records, video footage of the crash, witness statements, and more
- Bring in experts to provide insight and support for your injury case
- Work to defend you against claims that you share responsibility for the crash or your injuries
- Negotiate with other parties and their insurance companies
- Have a respected trial attorney bring your case to a jury if you’re not offered a fair deal
Focus on getting better from your rear-end crash injuries. Let our Fort Walton Beach personal injury lawyers handle your fight for compensation. Call our law office in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, to learn more now.
How Common Are Rear-End Collisions?
Rear-end crashes are the most common type of car accident. According to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 29 percent of all motor vehicle accidents are rear-end collisions.
There were a total of 3,415 auto accidents in Okaloosa County in 2021. If 29 percent of those were rear-end crashes, that means Fort Walton Beach and surrounding areas saw about 990 rear-end collisions that year.
Rear-end collisions are also more dangerous than most tend to think. Many result in injury or death. Roughly 7.1 percent of all fatal car accidents in the United States are rear-end crashes.
Is the Rear Driver Always Liable For a Rear-End Collision?
Not necessarily. While it’s common for the driver in the rear vehicle to be at fault, it’s not always the case. And in some situations, the rear driver and the driver who’s struck from behind both share some of the blame. Other times, neither driver may bear responsibility if some external factors contributed to the wreck.
Here are a couple of examples of when the rear driver may not be (entirely) at fault for a rear-end collision:
The Driver of the Vehicle in Front is At Fault
Sam is sitting at a traffic light and is struck from behind by Joe.
Sam wasn’t paying attention to the light because he was scrolling through social media on his phone, so he didn’t notice it had changed from red to green. Joe tried to hit the brakes when he realized Sam wasn’t moving, but it was too late.
If Sam had been paying attention, Joe wouldn’t have slammed into the back of his car. Assuming Joe exercised all reasonable care and couldn’t avoid the accident, Sam would be responsible for the wreck.
Both Drivers Share Responsibility
Sam is struck from behind by Joe when he slams on his brakes to avoid hitting a pedestrian in a crosswalk.
Sam had a few drinks before he got behind the wheel. He didn’t see the pedestrian right away and barely had enough time to stop before hitting him.
Joe had been tailgating Sam just before the crash. If he’d left an adequate cushion between the vehicles, he may not have crashed into the back of Sam’s car.
Both Sam and Joe likely share contributory fault for the rear-end crash.
What Happens If I Share Fault for a Rear-End Collision in Florida?
Under Florida law, shared fault won’t mean that you can’t recover compensation for your injuries. However, it will affect how much money you can get.
Florida has a modified comparative negligence law. Liability is shared by everyone who contributes to an accident. This includes victims. When you’re partly liable, your damages will be adjusted to reflect that. When you’re mostly at fault, you will be barred from recovering damages.
What Types of Injuries Do Rear-End Crashes Cause?
In a rear-end collision, the momentum from the rear vehicle transfers to the vehicle in front. This can cause passengers in the front vehicle to begin to move forward rapidly. If they’re not buckled in, they can be thrown against the windshield, seats, or windows.
If they are wearing a seatbelt, they’ll be restrained from moving, but the pressure can cause serious injuries to their chest and abdomen. The belt can also force them backward, placing a considerable strain on their back, neck, and head.
The rapid movement and transfer of energy between vehicles can, and often does, result in serious, catastrophic injuries.
Common injuries reported after a rear-end car accident include:
- Whiplash
- Concussion
- Neck injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Back injury
- Paralysis
- Injuries to the fingers and hands
- Traumatic brain injury
- Injuries to the eyes and face
- Airbag injuries
- Seatbelt injuries
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Loss of limb
Statistically speaking, many rear-end collisions are fatal. Following a fatal rear-end car accident, families may have the right to seek compensation in a wrongful death action.
What Causes Most Rear-End Car Accidents in Fort Walton Beach?
Some of the leading causes of rear-end crashes in Fort Walton Beach include:
- Following too closely
- Driver distraction
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Fatigued driving
- Unsafe lane changes
- Unsafe turns
- Racing through an intersection to beat a red or yellow light
- Speeding
- Stop-and-go traffic conditions
- Defective or broken brake lights
- Wet or slick road surfaces
- Defective brakes
- Vehicle malfunction
- Road defects
We’ll work tirelessly to identify all possible causes as we investigate your claim. This will allow us to determine if there might be multiple parties on the hook for your crash-related damages.
What Compensation Can I Get If I’m Hurt in a Rear-End Car Accident in Northwest Florida?
After a rear-end crash in Fort Walton Beach, you can recover compensation for your financial losses (economic awards) and pain and suffering (non-economic awards).
Our attorneys will work tirelessly to get you money for your:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages and income
- Chronic pain
- Loss of consortium
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our qualified personal injury attorneys in Fort Walton Beach to get started. Your first consultation is free, and we work on a contingency fee basis, which means there’s no cost to hire our law firm unless we win your case.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Rear-End Collision in Florida?
Two years if the rear-end crash results in an injury. There are exceptions to this general rule.
If you miss the deadline that applies to your case, then you’ll miss the opportunity to recover much-needed compensation.
Don’t let the statute of limitations expire before you take action. Call our Fort Walton Beach car accident attorneys for immediate assistance after you get hurt.
Speak With a Car Accident Attorney About Your Rear-End Crash in Fort Walton Beach
Were you recently involved in a rear-end crash in Fort Walton Beach, Florida? You may be entitled to significant compensation for your medical bills, loss of income, and the trauma of the crash. Our experienced Fort Walton Beach car accident lawyers can help you fight to recover damages from anyone who was negligent or shares fault.
At Brannon & Brannon Car Accident & Personal Injury Lawyers, we understand the sizable impact that a rear-end collision can have on your life. It can leave you with costly medical bills, force you out of work, and cause considerable pain. Let us put 60+ years of combined experience to work to help you win compensation for your suffering.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to our law office serving Fort Walton Beach and Okaloosa County to schedule a free consultation today.
