How an Indianapolis Rear End Collision Attorney Can Help

Car accidents are one of the primary causes of injury-related deaths in the United States. Rear end collisions happen every day, and there are around two million of these accidents in the US each year. While rear end collisions can be as minor as a dent to your back bumper, some rear end collisions are deadly. In fact, rear end collisions make up 7.1% of vehicle crash fatalities in the country. If you have been involved in an accident, you need a rear end collision attorney to help protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.

The lawyers at Keffer Hirschauer LLP are experienced rear end accident attorneys who serve clients in the Indianapolis area and throughout Indiana. We are dedicated to providing effective representation and advocating aggressively on behalf of our clients. We can help you get the compensation you deserve so that you can focus on recovery after your accident.

Types of Injuries and Ways a Rear End Collision Attorney Can Help

Rear end collisions can run the gamut, from minor fender benders to life-threatening accidents. Even minor rear end collisions can leave you with pain and a stack of medical bills. Many people don’t fully realize the extent of their injuries and the extent of medical care that may be required to make them whole. Regardless of how minor your accident may seem, you should seek medical help, then call your trusted rear end collision attorney.

Injuries Commonly Caused by Rear End Collisions

Doctors and rear end collision attorneys see a variety of injuries following rear end collision accidents. Because no two car accidents are alike, no two crash survivors will experience injuries in the exact same way. Even in similar situations, one survivor may walk away with just scratches while the other sustains serious injuries. While anything can happen in a rear end collision, these are some of the common injuries.

Neck Injuries and Whiplash

When you are rear ended, often your head and neck are thrown forward by the sudden impact. Even at lower speeds, the jolt can be enough to cause serious whiplash. The motion that results from being rear ended can cause the straining and tearing of the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your neck and shoulders. While whiplash can sometimes heal on its own, severe and persistent pain can be a sign that something is seriously wrong. Other symptoms to look out for include ongoing dizziness, headaches, stiffness, and muscle spasms.

Back and Spinal Injuries

Injuries to the back and spine also occur often in rear end collisions. Spinal injuries can require surgery and intensive rehabilitation therapy, and these injuries can be a permanent problem. Aside from spinal injuries, the pressure that is put on your back when you are rear ended can bruise the muscles and ligaments of your back. Pressure from the accident can also disrupt the alignment of your back, causing bulging or herniated discs. If you have a spinal injury following a rear end collision, you may need extensive medical care to get you back to full health. A rear end collision attorney can ensure that you receive compensation that fully covers the expenses you will incur in your recovery.

Broken Bones

Depending on the impact, a rear end crash can force you into the vehicle’s steering wheel or airbag, which can easily cause broken bones. The force of your seatbelt holding you in place can also lead to broken bones. One of the most common broken bone injuries in rear end collisions is cracked ribs. While a broken bone sounds serious, sometimes it is not always obvious to the accident victim right away. The adrenaline from the accident can numb the pain, and you may not realize the urgency of your injury until hours or even days later. If you notice any pain, swelling, or weakness at all, it is imperative that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Facial Injuries

Facial injuries are another common type of injury incurred in a rear end collision. When you are rear ended, your face may be forced into the steering wheel or airbag, causing bruising or even facial bone breaks. In addition, it is not uncommon for glass and other objects to go flying as a result of the impact. Even objects that are not sharp can injure your face due to the impact. Facial injuries can seem minor, but they can lead to the need for rehabilitation and/or surgeries down the road. In serious rear end collisions, survivors may experience facial injuries that leave them disfigured. A rear end collision attorney can help you fight to be made whole again.

Brain Injuries

In a rear end collision, your head is highly susceptible to injury because it is likely that your head will make forceful contact with your headrest or other objects. It does not take a lot of speed to cause serious head or traumatic brain injuries in the right circumstances. Some head injuries are obvious, like an open head wound. Others, like traumatic brain injuries, cannot be seen from the outside and need to be diagnosed by a medical professional. Treating a head or brain injury can be one of the most involved types of care and can take months or even years to treat. In the worst cases, damage to the head from a rear end collision can lead to death. No matter how severe the injury is, an experienced rear end collision attorney can help you fight to recover damages to get the treatment you need.

Arm and Wrist Injuries

Even when a driver is parked or stopped, they usually have their hands on the steering wheel at the time of a collision. Many drivers also see a vehicle coming toward them in their rearview and instinctively raise their arms to brace for impact, and passengers may brace for impact when they see a vehicle about to hit them from the front or side of the vehicle. When your arms and hands collide with the steering wheel with force, it can lead to various injuries including broken bones, sprains, dislocated joints, or tendon damage.

Emotional Effects of a Rear End Collision

The emotional results of a rear end collision are not something to be taken lightly. The trauma of the accident can leave you with stress and anxiety that impact all areas of your life. In addition, the stress of medical bills and missing work or school can leave accident victims feeling overwhelmed. Emotional effects can be much more difficult to treat than a broken bone or torn ligament.

Car accident survivors often need support from their network of friends and family as well as therapy and coaching from professionals. Some car accident survivors find themselves unable to drive for months, while others may never drive again. You should not have to navigate this stress alone. A rear end collision attorney can make sure that you are compensated not just for your medical bills but also for the pain and suffering that you have gone through.

Why You Should Call a Rear End Collison Attorney

If you have been injured in a rear end collision, you can find yourself in need of a lot of help following the accident. From doctor and hospital bills to time off work, help with kids, and mounting everyday bills, navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be an almost insurmountable task. In Indiana, the person who caused the accident is responsible for the damages and losses you accrue. That means that if you were not the person who caused the accident, then you have the right to recover damages.

In most cases, a person’s car insurance provider will cover the costs incurred as a result of the accident. However, insurance companies always try to settle for the lowest amount possible. When an insurance company makes an offer to the victim, often it is not even enough to cover medical expenses, let alone missed work and the costs associated with pain and suffering.

That is where an Indianapolis rear end accident lawyer can help. We can help you negotiate with the insurance companies or take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve to make you whole.

A rear end collision attorney can also make a big difference if your case is not a straightforward one. For example, if more than one party is at fault for causing the accident, the Indiana comparative fault statute comes into play. Under the statute, if you are found to be at fault in any way, your compensation for injuries will be reduced by the percentage of responsibility you bear for causing the accident. Having a rear end collision attorney can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

What Evidence Does a Rear End Collision Attorney Need for Your Case?

The amount of compensation you are entitled to in a car accident depends on the circumstances of the case, including the type of injuries, the number of parties involved, and who was primarily at fault. To get compensation, you will have to provide evidence of who was at fault as well as the nature of your injuries and losses. Rear end collision lawyers will help you collect and present evidence such as:

• Your statement and witness statements
• Police reports
• Photos of the crash scene
• Evidence of vehicle damage
• Hospital bills
• Medical records
• Security footage or other video evidence of the crash

All of this evidence will help your rear end collision attorney fight your case effectively and help you recover as much compensation as possible.

If you have been injured in a rear end collision, you should contact an accident injury attorney as soon as possible. The lawyers at Keffer Hirschauer LLP are your trusted Indianapolis rear end accident attorneys and stand by ready to take on your case. The firm serves clients in the Indianapolis area and throughout the state. Get in touch with an experienced rear end collision attorney by calling (317) 455-4043 or filling out our online contact form.