Many people mistakenly believe being involved in a rear-end collision isn’t a big deal. However, victims can suffer life-altering medical complications, such as broken bones, spinal damage, or traumatic brain injury that result in extensive recovery and costs.
If a negligent driver struck you from behind, you could face an uphill battle to get the compensation you deserve for your injuries from their insurance company. Fortunately, our experienced Washington car accident lawyer at Max Meyers Law understands the unfair tactics the insurance adjuster may use to try to avoid liability for paying you. He’ll fight hard to thoroughly investigate the cause of your rear-end collision, find evidence that points to the other party’s wrongdoing, and stand up to the insurer’s arguments to pursue the settlement you deserve.
Major Causes of Rear-End Collisions in Washington 
To set up the best possible outcome for your compensation claim, all the elements of a car accident claim must be identified. One critical aspect of your case is to establish that the other driver’s negligence caused the wreck.
Under Washington law, the driver following another vehicle is primarily responsible for avoiding a rear-end collision.
Here are the top reasons the at-fault motorist is responsible for your crash:
- Tailgating. Following a vehicle too closely is unsafe and a violation of RCW 46.61.145, which requires all motorists to leave a safe distance behind the car in front of them so they can quickly slow down or stop if necessary.
- Speeding. Motorists also cause rear-end crashes when they drive over the speed limit. Unfortunately, you could suffer more catastrophic injuries if this was the cause of your wreck because the force of impact is much greater.
- Distracted driving. If the at-fault motorist behind you was talking on their cellphone, texting, looking at GPS, or eating and drinking, they may not have realized they needed to quickly slow down or brake before it was too late to avoid striking your vehicle.
- Intoxication. When a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their vision, judgment, and reaction time are impaired, increasing the likelihood that they’ll hit the vehicle in front of them.
- Weather. Another reason people cause rear-end collisions is they don’t slow down enough for weather conditions like heavy rain, fog, ice, and snow. Unfortunately, they can cause a dangerous multi-vehicle pile-up.
When Can the Driver in Front Be Held Responsible for a Rear-End Collision?
In limited circumstances, the motorist in front can be found liable. Here are the most common reasons why:
- Sudden braking
- Making an abrupt lane change
- Having faulty lights
What Happens If Both Drivers Are at Fault?
If you and the other motorist share liability, you might still receive compensation for your injuries. However, under Washington’s pure comparative negligence laws, the amount is reduced by your percentage of fault in causing the crash. For example, if you were 20 percent at fault and the full value of your claim is $400,000, you should still receive $320,000 in your settlement.
Damages You May Be Entitled After Suffering Injuries in a Rear-End Crash
It’s critical to maintain all receipts and records after such a serious incident. Your claim may include compensation for losses such as:
- Medical expenses, including immediate care and rehabilitation
- Wage losses incurred while you were out of work recovering
- Lost earning capacity damages if you must change careers and take a pay cut because of your injuries or you become permanently disabled
- The cost to repair or replace your damaged auto and other property
- Damages to compensate you for pain, suffering, and emotional distress
It’s also possible that if a loved one was tragically killed in a rear-end crash, you’ll have grounds for wrongful death damages.
How Max Meyers Law Can Help You Win Your Rear-End Collision Case
Rear-end collision claims can be much more complicated than you may think. You need the assistance of a skilled car accident lawyer to avoid being taken advantage of by the insurance company and pursue the compensation you need to get your life back on track. Here are the many ways our legal team assists you.
- Determine your crash’s cause. We investigate why the rear-end collision happened and, if necessary, hire an accident reconstruction expert to create a reenactment of the accident and prove the other driver’s negligence.
- Preserve evidence. We request, preserve, and examine information to prove all the elements of a car accident claim. Some vital evidence, such as business and traffic camera footage and eyewitness statements, can be difficult to obtain and must be quickly gotten before it is lost.
- Settle your claim. Attorney Max Meyers will work hard to reach an out-of-court settlement with the insurance company that provides you with the full damages you deserve.
- Litigate your case. If the deadline to sue is approaching or the insurer refuses to treat you fairly, Max will file a lawsuit and litigate your claim. He’ll always look out for your best interests and will argue your case at a jury trial if this is the most effective way to reach a favorable outcome for you.
Since 1997, Max Meyers Law has been diligently focused on giving our clients the right education, peace of mind, and results they deserve. Let us put our years of experience to work for you.
