Do you know that rear-end collisions are the most common type of multi-vehicle accident in the United States? According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), rear-end collisions make up nearly 30% of motor vehicle collisions nationwide. You need to know what to do to protect your legal rights and financial interests after a rear-end crash—and this starts with knowing how liable is determined for these types of accidents. Our Houston car accident lawyers provide a guide to rear-end collisions in Texas.
Rear-End Collisions Can Occur for Many Reasons
Every car crash in Southeast Texas requires a comprehensive investigation to determine exactly how it happened and why it happened. This is no different for rear-end accidents. It would be a mistake to assume that all rear-end collisions have the same underlying cause. Some of the most common reasons why these types of accidents happen include:
- Tailgating (following too closely);
- Speeding;
- Distracted driving;
- Drunk or drugged driving;
- Sudden reserving by the front driver; and
- Defective tail lights or brake lights on the front vehicle.
The Rear Driver is Not Automatically Liable in Texas
There is a common misperception that the rear driver is automatically that one at fault for a rear-end collision. However, that is simply not the reality in Texas. While it is certainly true that the rear driver is far more likely to be held legally responsible for this type of crash, the specific circumstances of the case always matter. Texas is a comparative negligence jurisdiction—each party to a motor vehicle accident is liable for their proportionate share of the blame.
For example, imagine that you were the front driver in a rear-end crash in Houston. You sustained $30,000 in total damages in the wreck. If an investigation reveals that the rear-end collision happened because the rear driver was speeding and distracted, you can hold them liable for the full extent of your damages—or $30,000. However, if an investigation reveals that you are partially at fault because your vehicle did not have working brake lights, your compensation will be reduced by your level of fault..
You Need Money to Pay Your Bills After a Rear-End Crash in Houston
Following a rear-end collision, you need financial compensation to pay your bills and support the people in your life. At the Kolodny Law Firm, our Houston car accident lawyers help rear-end crash victims fight to maximize their financial support. Compensation may be available for:
- Automobile repairs;
- Medical bills;
- Rehabilitative support;
- Lost wages;
- Pain and suffering;
- Disfigurement; and
- Disability.
Get Help From Our Houston, TX Motor Vehicle Accident Attorney
At the Kolodny Law Firm, our Houston car accident lawyers have the skills, knowledge, and experience to handle rear-end collision claims. If you or your loved one was hurt in a rear-end crash, we are more than ready to help. Call us now or contact our legal team online for your free, no obligation consultation. We represent car accident victims in Houston, Harris County, and beyond.
Alan Kolodny is committed to representing injured clients in Texas and throughout the United States. Alan earned his B.A. from Rice University and his J.D. from Southern Methodist University.
He focuses his practice on representing plaintiffs in personal injury cases involving the following matters: maritime and offshore accidents, including those under the Jones Act; automobile and 18-wheeler truck accidents; and industrial site accidents, work-related accidents, and claims for injured railroad workers under the Federal Employers’ Liability Act.
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