Rear-End Collision Attorney in Manchester, New Hampshire

Car Accident Attorneys Serving Manchester and Other New Hampshire Communities

Rear-end accidents can result in minor or catastrophic injuries, depending on the severity of the impact. They can be fender benders or high-speed collisions, and they are often caused by distracted driving behaviors like texting or cell phone use. If you have suffered harm in a rear-end collision that was caused by another person, you probably can recover damages for your injuries. A dedicated Manchester car accident lawyer at Kenison Law Office PLLC can help provide an evaluation of your situation and provide legal direction accordingly. While liability in these cases may seem obvious, the reality is that fault is not always straightforward, so having skilled legal counsel can make a difference in your case.

Rear-End Collision Statistics

A rear-end accident is one in which an automobile crashes into the automobile in front of it. Rear-end collisions are the leading type of automobile collision in the country, with approximately 2.5 million rear-end impact crashes taking place each year. These collisions account for 6 percent of fatal auto accidents and 28 percent of all auto accidents in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Sadly, these accidents are also very common in New Hampshire.

Causes of Rear-End Accidents

Many times, these accidents result from distraction on the part of the rear-ending driver. For example, they may be busy looking down at their cell phone, eating, or adjusting the GPS or radio. When a driver is distracted, they may fail to notice that the driver in front of them has stopped or that another vehicle has merged into their lane. Other reasons that rear-end collisions take place include:

• Speeding;

• Drunk driving or drugged driving;

• Aggressive driving;

• Adverse weather conditions;

• Following too closely (tailgating);

• Drowsy driving.

Liability in Rear-End Collision Cases

Rear-end accidents can often be life-changing. If you have been injured in a rear-end collision, you may be entitled to compensation through a negligence lawsuit. Negligence takes place when a person fails to use the level of care that a reasonably competent driver would have used in the same or a similar situation. Fault generally lies with the “following driver” in a rear-end collision. This is because there is an assumption that the driver behind was following too closely to allow adequate time to stop before hitting the car ahead.

However, in some cases, the driver of the front car may be partially or wholly at fault for a rear-end collision. For example, if a rear-end collision took place at night because a driver failed to replace a defective taillight when they knew that it was defective, that driver would likely be considered negligent and liable for the accident. Other instances in which the driver of a front vehicle may be liable for a rear-end accident include stopping abruptly with no warning on a busy road or making an unsafe lane change.

In order to win a negligence claim, the plaintiff and their attorney must establish that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care, the defendant violated the duty of care owed to the plaintiff by engaging in an unsafe driving practice, and the defendant’s violation was a direct cause of the rear-end collision.

Damages in Personal Injury Claims

If a driver’s negligence caused or contributed to the rear-end accident that caused your injuries, you may be legally entitled to pursue compensation for your harm. Victims of car accidents in New Hampshire may be able to recover a variety of economic and non-economic damages, such as medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, pain and suffering, lost wages and earning capacity, disability, and compensation for any other losses stemming from the rear-end collision.

Contact a Knowledgeable Car Crash Lawyer in the Manchester Area

Rear-end accidents can lead to devastating results in some cases. If you have been injured in a rear-end collision that was not your fault, you need to reach out to a seasoned car accident attorney as soon as possible. At Kenison Law Office PLLC, we can examine the facts of your case and determine your options for compensation. We serve people in the areas around Manchester, Bedford, Goffstown, Merrimack, Nashua, Keene, Concord, Hooksett, Derry, Exeter, Portsmouth, and Claremont, as well as elsewhere in Hillsborough, Cheshire, Merrimack, Rockingham, and Sullivan Counties. For a free consultation, call or contact us through our website.