Staples, Ellis & Associates, P.A. is a well-respected personal injury law practice with a great deal of experience with rear-end car accidents. For more than two decades, we have amassed a track record of successful outcomes working with clients throughout the Florida Panhandle. If you have suffered a serious injury in a rear-end accident, contact our Pensacola office now for aggressive, compassionate legal representation.
Rear-end collisions are more common than you might think, making up close to 30 percent of vehicular accidents. Unlike many other types of traffic accidents, they are almost always caused by the negligence of the car behind. Although rear-end accidents most frequently occur in slow-moving urban traffic, they can cause serious injuries to drivers and passengers, even when vehicle damage is minor.
In many cases, neck and back injuries caused by rear-end accidents do not show up immediately, so it is important to see a doctor and be fully checked out before you assume you have not been injured.
Being Proactive Can Make a Significant Difference in the Outcome of Your Case
Because rear-end collisions, like all car crashes, are a jolt to your physical and emotional equilibrium, and because some injuries, especially those involving nerves, may cause temporary numbness, you may not immediately be aware that you are hurt.
Furthermore, being jarred physically can temporarily interfere with rational thinking. This is why it is best not to make any statements or decisions in the moments right after the collision. Instead, consult with our car accident attorneys first to ensure that your legal rights are protected. Remember, the sooner you get in touch with us, the more efficiently we can:
- Gather evidence
- Access medical records and police reports
- Interview witnesses while their memories are fresh
- Act as your advocate with insurance adjusters and opposing attorneys
- Prevent you from agreeing to an inadequate settlement
Having our savvy car accident lawyers step in to handle your case from the beginning gives you a better chance of winning the maximum damages you deserve. Because we understand that a rear-end collision can cost you financially as well as in terms of physical and emotional trauma, we will not charge you any attorneys’ fees until we win your case.
How a Pensacola Rear-End Accident Can Happen
It’s no wonder nearly all rear-end collisions are considered the fault of the driver behind since over 80 percent of such collisions take place when the vehicle in front has already stopped. This fact is significant because traffic regulations require all drivers to maintain a safe distance from the car in front of them and to be attentive any time they are behind the wheel. Therefore, in the vast majority of rear-end accidents, the driver of the car behind has clearly been breaking the law.
Driver Misconduct that Results in a Rear-End Accident
If you have been driving for years, chances are that even if you haven’t had a serious rear-end accident, you have had a minor one or a near-miss. Small dents on the fronts or rear of many cars attest to this well-known occurrence. Factors that cause rear-end accidents include:
- Distracted driving (while eating, texting, adjusting mirrors, radios, etc.)
- Driving while drowsy or fatigued
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Reckless driving
- Speeding
- Tailgating
Emotional factors, such as road rage or extreme upset or preoccupation, often contribute to rear-end car collisions, as do external factors, such as:
- Bad weather (rain/snow/sleet/ fog/hail/sun glare) that may impact on visibility or traction
- Damaged pavement or debris on the roadway
- An animal on the road
- Mechanical defect in one of the vehicles (e.g. faulty brakes on the rear car or faulty or hazard lights on the front car)
For this reason, in some cases, a third party (e.g. a car manufacturer or the government agency responsible for road maintenance) may be the target of our lawsuit.
Why You Need Staples, Ellis + Associates at Your Side
When you have been through the trauma of being injured in a car accident, you need a law team with special talents fighting to make sure you win appropriate damages for:
- Medical and rehabilitation costs
- Lost income, present and future
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Permanent disability
- Extended nursing care
- Permanent scarring or other disfigurements
- Loss of enjoyment of life
If your family has suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one to wrongful death, our law team will fight to win you damages to pay for final medical costs, funeral costs, and loss of financial and emotional support.
We have many attributes that will be invaluable to you during negotiations both in and out of the courtroom, including:
- Comprehensive knowledge of Florida law
- Well-honed legal research skills
- Well-practiced powers of persuasion
- Connections to attorneys and experts in related fields
- Experience in sharp negotiation and aggressive litigation
Even If You Bear Partial Responsibility for the Crash, We Will Fight for Damages
In Florida, the law follows a principle of pure comparative negligence. This means that even if, as happens rarely, you are found to be partially at blame for being rear-ended, our attorneys will fight vigorously to win you a fair negotiated settlement or courtroom verdict. You should be aware that, if this is the case, you will have your percentage of fault deducted from the amount the court awards you.
Contact Our Experienced Pensacola Rear-End Accident Attorneys Today
We know how overwhelming an accident with serious injuries can be and we are committed to taking all legal and logistical matters off your hands. You have enough to deal with navigating your recovery and your medical bills. Why not let Staples, Ellis + Associates fight your legal battle? We will dedicate ourselves to bringing you the compensation you need and deserve. Contact our office today for a free consultation.
The Rear-end Accident Attorneys at Staples, Ellis & Associates serves clients in Pensacola County, Escambia County, Santa Rosa County, Okaloosa County, Walton County, and throughout Northwest Florida.