Rear-End Accident Lawyer in Virginia

Rear-end collisions are one of the most common types of car accidents in Virginia. According to data from the Virginia Highway Safety Office, 24,633 accidents in one recent year resulted from one driver following another too closely. That amounted to 11 percent of all motor vehicle collisions statewide.

Rear-end crashes can cause serious injuries, property damage, and financial strain – not to mention the pain and emotional toll. While the rear driver is often at fault, determining liability is not always straightforward. Disputes also frequently arise over the extent of injuries from rear-end collisions.

For these reasons, you need an experienced rear-end accident lawyer in Virginia to advocate for you and fight for the total compensation and justice you deserve. Contact the office of D. Michael Mullori, Jr., Attorney at Law, or call (703) 762-2142 now to discuss your case in a free initial consultation. Our office is conveniently located at 2500 Hunter Pl, Unit 102, Woodbridge, VA. Feel free to visit us for a consultation!

What to Do After a Rear-End Collision in Virginia

Rear-end accidents can happen very unexpectedly. You might immediately think, “I just got rear-ended – what should I do?” Taking some key steps after a rear-end accident in Virginia can go a long way toward protecting your health.

They can also help strengthen any potential injury claims:

• Check yourself and others for injuries. While some injuries are immediately apparent, symptoms of whiplash, concussions, or internal injuries may not appear right away. A medical examination can help treat serious and potentially life-threatening injuries that demand immediate attention.
• Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance. The resulting police report could provide valuable information for determining fault and negotiating with insurance companies.
• If your condition allows, document the scene. Take photos of the accident scene, the damaged vehicles, any visible injuries, skid marks, traffic signs, and road conditions. Ask eyewitnesses for their contact information. Exchange insurance and contact details with the other drivers, but don’t admit fault or downplay your injuries. Stick to the basics.
• Even if you didn’t require medical attention at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible. Some injuries can take hours or days to develop. Delaying necessary treatment could not only worsen your condition but could also give insurance companies a reason to dispute your claim.

Who Is Liable for a Rear-End Accident?

Virginia follows a fault-based system for motor vehicle accidents. In other words, the driver responsible for causing the crash is also responsible for compensating anyone their actions harmed. Drivers have a responsibility to maintain a safe following distance at all times. When they fail to stop in time and rear-end another vehicle, they’re usually considered negligent and liable for the rear-end collision.

However, rear driver liability isn’t a given. The front driver may be liable if, for example, they suddenly brake for no reason (also known as brake checking) or if their brake lights weren’t functioning and the rear driver couldn’t anticipate the stop. Determining liability for rear-end crashes can get even more complicated when more than two vehicles are involved, as sometimes happens when heavy traffic and high speeds result in a multi-car pileup.

Attorney Mike Mullori understands the importance of gathering strong evidence to prove what happened and who is at fault. Our rear-end accident attorneys can assemble photos, witness statements, dashcam footage, police reports, and other forms of evidence to establish how the crash occurred.

Rear-End Accident Settlements: What to Expect

The amounts awarded in rear-end accident settlements can vary considerably depending on the specifics of each case.

Some of the factors most likely to influence settlement amounts include:

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will play a significant role in your rear-end accident settlement process. However, their goal is not to maximize your compensation. Instead, they aim to make your claim go away for as little as possible. To this end, adjusters may downplay your injuries, argue that your medical treatment was unnecessary, or claim your pain stems from pre-existing conditions.

Cases involving disputed fault give insurers an even greater opportunity to avoid a sizable payout. That is because Virginia’s contributory negligence rule bars injured parties from recovering compensation if they bear even a sliver of liability for an accident and the resulting injuries. For that reason, the insurance company may argue that you were partially responsible and deny your claim.

Tactics like these make it especially important to be cautious when dealing with insurers and work with an experienced attorney to protect your right to compensation. Accepting a low settlement too soon can leave you with unpaid medical bills and other financial burdens. Saying anything the insurance company could interpret as an admission of fault puts your financial future in jeopardy. Contact our attorney right away after a rear-end accident and let us handle communications with the insurance company instead.

How Our Virginia Rear-End Accident Lawyer Can Help

Getting support from our rear-end accident lawyer in Virginia can help protect your rights, maximize your compensation, and spare you from having to deal with the legal and financial challenges on your own.

Our attorney can help by:

• Assessing all your losses – Our attorney can calculate the full value of your claim, including medical costs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and anticipated future expenses.
• Negotiating with insurance companies – Our lawyer can push back against low settlement offers and other insurance company tactics by presenting strong evidence to support a fair payout.
• Proving liability – Convincing legal arguments and evidence can help counter any attempts to shift blame and prevent you from recovering compensation.
• Pursuing litigation if necessary – If negotiations fail, our attorney can file a lawsuit and take the case to court, protecting your path to pursue the full compensation you deserve.

Contact Our Virginia Rear-End Collision Attorney Today

If another driver rear-ended you and you’re facing physical and financial difficulties as a result, D. Michael Mullori, Jr., Attorney at Law, can help. Contact us immediately for a free consultation with an experienced rear-end car accident lawyer in Virginia to discuss your situation and learn more about your legal options.