Rear-End Collision Lawyer

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of accidents across America. Often, a rear-end collision occurs at low speeds, meaning it’s little more than a nuisance that results in minor property damage and minimal injuries. However, if you’re in a rear-end accident with a truck or commercial vehicle, the damage can be much, much worse.

Commercial vehicles, especially semi-trucks, are usually much heavier than a typical car. In fact, a fully-loaded tractor-trailer can weigh up to 80,000 pounds — and the average car weighs around 3,000 pounds. When a massive vehicle rear-ends a smaller vehicle, even at lower speeds, the back of the smaller vehicle could be destroyed, and the passengers could be severely injured.

If you are injured in a rear-end collision with a commercial vehicle, it’s important for you to understand your rights. In general, you can hold the driver liable for your injuries, and in some cases, you can also sue the trucking company and other parties. The attorneys at Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers can help you figure out who is at fault for the wreck, and how much compensation you may be entitled to.

Call us today at 800-559-5741 or contact us online today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced rear-end collision lawyer.

Why Do Rear-end Accidents with Commercial Vehicles Happen?

The most common type of rear-end accident with a semi-truck or other commercial vehicle occurs when the truck hits the back of a regular car. This can happen for any number of reasons. Much of the time, these types of rear-end accidents happen because the truck driver didn’t operate their vehicle safely. Some of the most common reasons for driver-related rear-end collisions include:

Speeding
Driving too fast for road or weather conditions
Driving drowsy
Distracted driving
Drunk driving

In some cases, the trucking company, truck manufacturer and/or the party responsible for maintaining the truck can be held at fault. This may occur if the accident happened because:

The brakes failed
The driver wasn’t properly trained
The company set too strict deadlines, forcing drivers to drive too fast and/or with too little rest
The company hired a driver that wasn’t qualified
Maintenance wasn’t properly performed

In some cases, multiple parties can be held liable. For example, if the brake pads are worn down, but the truck driver is speeding at night when it’s raining, and they rear-end another car, both the truck driver and the trucking company may be held liable.

The second type of accident is much less common, but they still happen. This type of rear-end collision occurs when a passenger vehicle hits the back of a commercial vehicle. When these accidents happen with a semi-truck or other large vehicle, the results can be devastating. Because commercial vehicles are often so much higher off the ground than other vehicles, a car might go partially or completely under the truck. A rear-end collision like this can easily lead to life-altering injuries — or death.

Virtually all semi-trucks now have truck underride guards to lessen the severity of injuries from these types of accidents by preventing cars from going under the truck. All trucks weighing over 10,000 pounds are required to have guards installed, but no other truck is currently required to have them. However, a bill was proposed in Congress in 2019 to mandate the installation of these guards on all big rigs.

Who Is At Fault for a Rear-end Collision with a Commercial Vehicle?

Most often, the driver in the rear is at-fault for this type of accident. After all, they are supposed to be paying attention to traffic in front of them and responding to any changes, like a suddenly stopped car. However, this isn’t always the case. At least, in some cases, the fault may be shared between two or more parties.

Let’s say, for instance, your tail lights aren’t working properly, and you’re driving down the highway at night. You have to suddenly come to a stop because traffic stops in front of you. A semi-truck behind you can’t stop in time because they’re following you closely, but because your tail lights aren’t working, they didn’t know you were stopping until it was too late.

In this case, you and the truck driver may share blame for the accident. In most states, you can still recover compensation, even if you are partially at fault for the wreck. However, the amount of compensation you receive will be reduced by the percentage you are found at fault. It’s important to speak to an experienced rear-end collision lawyer about your legal options.

Get the Compensation You Deserve After a Rear-end Collision

Whether you ram into the back of a truck or a truck hits the back of your car, if you suffered injuries, property damage or other losses, you may be entitled to compensation. You might get a settlement offer from the insurance company after your wreck that is far less than what you need. However, if you accept this offer, you forfeit your right to seek greater compensation.

Insurance companies know you may be in a bind financially after the accident, and know that that may drive you to take this low offer. Don’t do it without speaking to a lawyer first! During your consultation, our attorneys will review all of the details of your case and help you determine if moving forward with an experienced truck accident lawyer is the best option for you.

We may seek compensation for:

Medical bills
Pain and suffering
Property damage
Lost wages
Lost earning capacity
Out of pocket expenses
Physical disfigurement
Wrongful death
And more

If you have been injured in a rear-end collision with a commercial vehicle, you need a lawyer who has experience with these types of cases. At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, our attorneys have represented truck accident victims for over 26 years. We know what it takes to get the compensation you deserve.

Call us today at 800-559-5741 or contact us online today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced rear-end collision lawyer.