Fort Wayne Rear-End Accident Lawyer
Rear-end collisions occur often in Fort Wayne and throughout Indiana. Some of these car accidents are minor “fender benders.” They result in little more than minor vehicle damage. However, many other rear-end crashes can carry life-changing consequences for victims and their loved ones.
Did a driver hit you from behind while you were stopped in your car? Are you now dealing with serious injuries, medical expenses, car repair bills, and more? If so, you likely have many questions about what you can do to recover compensation for the harm that you have suffered. At Truitt Law Offices, we are here to help.
For more than 40 years, Truitt Law Offices has protected the rights of accident victims in Indiana. We can put that experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free consultation. We will review the details of your crash and help you to understand the options available to you for seeking just compensation.
How Can Our Lawyers Help You After a Rear-End Collision?
When we take on your case, the attorneys of Truitt Law Offices will focus on what is important to you. We will listen to your story and take the time to understand why your crash happened and how it has affected your health, your ability to work, and your enjoyment of life. Our goal will be to identify who should be held responsible for the rear-end crash that caused your injuries and to pursue all compensation which you are entitled to receive. We will:
- Thoroughly investigate your rear-end accident
- Gather and study your medical care records
- Calculate all of your potential damages
- Pursue a full and fair settlement of your insurance claim
- Go to court to fight for what you deserve if that’s what it takes.
At Truitt Law Offices, we focus on providing the highest level of service to our clients. We will always be available to answer your questions and provide you with updates about your case. We will charge no costs or fees unless we secure a financial recovery for you through a settlement or verdict.
Why Do Rear-End Crashes Happen?
Rear-end crashes typically occur in Fort Wayne because of another driver’s negligence. In most cases, the driver in the rear is at fault. The driver may have failed to stop on time and plowed into the front car because the driver was:
- Distracted by a text or phone call
- Driving while impaired by alcohol, drugs or excessive fatigue
- Speeding (going too fast for road, weather and traffic conditions)
- Tailgating (or following too closely).
Still, in many other situations, the driver in the front could be at fault. For instance, the driver may have:
- Suddenly hit the brakes
- Made a turn or lane change without signaling
- Failed to check mirrors or blind spots.
Additionally, a rear-end accident can occur due to a mechanical failure. The failure may be due to a design or manufacturing defect or due to neglectful inspection and maintenance of the vehicle. For example, a driver may crash into the rear of another vehicle because the brakes were defective, the driver failed to get the brakes repaired or the mechanic failed to properly repair the brakes.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Rear-End Accident?
At Truitt Law Offices, we can launch an immediate investigation into your rear-end accident, including going to the accident scene, gathering photos and camera footage, and interviewing anyone with knowledge about the wreck, including the drivers, passengers, and eyewitnesses. We may also download data from the vehicles’ event data recorders, or “black boxes,” and obtain cell phone records and toxicology test results, which may reveal that a driver was distracted or intoxicated at the time of the rear-end crash.
In many cases, our attorneys consult with experts in areas such as accident reconstruction. These trained professionals can examine the evidence and determine how a rear-end accident happened and, as a result, identify who should be held at fault for the crash. The expert may prepare a detailed report which includes photos, graphics, or even computer animation. We can present the report to the insurance company while seeking a settlement on your behalf or, if necessary, present the report and the expert’s testimony at trial.
What Are Common Injuries in Rear-End Collisions?
If you are fortunate, you will escape from a rear-end accident with only minor injuries such as cuts, scrapes, or bruises. However, even when a crash occurs at a low rate of speed, it can result in more severe harm. For example, many people involved in rear-end crashes suffer from whiplash. This injury happens when the force of impact from the rear of the vehicle causes one’s neck to move back and forth in a violent, whip-like motion, resulting in damage to nerves and soft tissue.
Other common injuries in rear-end accidents are:
- Fractures
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Burns
- Spine and back injury
- Traumatic brain injury
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Post-traumatic stress disorder.
At Truitt Law Offices, we look at the entire picture. We realize how medical records don’t always tell the whole story about the impact of a rear-end crash on a person’s life. For instance, a lower back injury may appear to be a minor one. However, it could prevent a person from going to work at a job that requires a great deal of walking, bending, and lifting, or it may prevent the person from playing sports or enjoying time with his or her children. As we seek compensation for you, we will focus on the unique effects of the crash on your life and pursue a settlement or verdict that fully and fairly reflects the harm that you have suffered.
What is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Lawsuit in Indiana?
Two years. You have two years to file your lawsuit claim. If you do not file your claim within that time period, you will lose your opportunity to have your claim heard in court. It is imperative that you contact a car accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident so that evidence does not disappear, memories are still fresh, and our firm can begin the detailed task of litigating your case.
Get Help from Our Fort Wayne Rear-End Accident Attorneys Today
You have only a limited amount of time in which to file a lawsuit after an auto accident in Indiana. For this reason, you should not wait to get experienced and compassionate legal help from Truitt Law Offices. Contact us today to discuss your case and learn about your rights and options.
