That sudden unexpected bump while driving can be one of the more terrifying moments in a car. It can be anything from a fender bender to a severe accident that ends with you in the hospital. When the latter occurs, you need the services of a Maryland personal injury attorney from Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis, LLP to help you recover.
You deserve compensation for your pain if you have been seriously harmed by a rear-end accident and medical bills are piling up. Contact a personal injury lawyer at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis today to schedule a free consultation to learn about your legal options.
Who is responsible for a rear-end collision in Maryland?
Maryland regulations are relatively simple. If any party is even partially responsible for a car accident, they typically can’t receive compensation from other parties involved.
In most rear-end collisions, the driver of the rear car is the only liable party. The main exception is when the driver in front was doing something illegal. But since this typically isn’t the case, the insurance company for the rear car’s driver is usually responsible for compensating both people in a rear-end collision.
When would the front car driver be considered negligent?
Typically, a lead car driver is only considered negligent if they violated a law relevant to the accident. Just because the lead car driver was speeding, for example, doesn’t mean they are liable for the accident.
The most likely example of a lead car driver being partially or fully liable is if they fail to signal before stopping or switching lanes. While the rear car driver is required to stay a safe distance away from the front car, this isn’t always possible when the driver of that car fails to signal their intentions.
Signs of Whiplash
If you have been involved in a rear-end accident, the most important thing you need to know is whether you have been seriously injured. Many rear-end accidents are trivial, especially those that happen at relatively slow speeds. At slow enough speeds, there may not even be any damage to repair.
However, just because an accident seems minor doesn’t mean it is. Whiplash is one of the most common injuries from a rear-end accident, and often, victims don’t even realize they have been hurt because symptoms don’t emerge for a few days or even weeks.
Because whiplash symptoms take time to reveal themselves, you should always collect the contact and insurance information of anyone who hits your car from behind. Even if they try to argue against it, collect that information. That ensures you can get compensation if any of the following signs of whiplash appear later:
- Pain or stiffness in your neck
- Difficulty moving your neck
- Headaches at the base of the skull
- Shoulder, upper back, or arm pain
- Numbness in your neck or arms
- Blurred vision, dizziness, or fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- Memory problems
- Personality changes
The last few symptoms aren’t as common but are also typically signs that you suffered a severe injury.
If you experience any symptoms of whiplash, you should contact a personal injury attorney and a doctor as soon as possible. The sooner you get treatment, the more likely you are to fully recover from your injury. And with a personal injury lawyer representing you, you are more likely to get compensation to pay for that treatment.
A Personal Injury Attorney Makes Dealing with Insurance Companies Easier
How do you know which insurance company should pay for your medical bills if you aren’t sure who is responsible? The answer is you should let a personal injury lawyer determine that fact for you.
The lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis have years of experience with car accident cases in Maryland. Our attorneys can quickly determine any tricky liability issues and will handle all communications with the insurance companies. This means you don’t have to deal with mountains of paperwork while recovering from your injury.
Your attorney will file all the evidence with the appropriate insurance company and demand a fair settlement based on that evidence. They can do this mostly independently. Usually, by the time you start to feel better, your check will already be in the mail.
About Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis
Our law firm was founded in 1979 to help protect the rights of victims in all types of personal injury cases. Lawyers at our firm collaborate freely, which means you benefit from those decades of experience, regardless of who is handling your case. That is a formula for success that has helped our clients get millions of dollars over the years.
Contact a Maryland Personal Injury Attorney
If you have been harmed in a rear-end accident in Maryland, the lawyers at Koonz McKenney Johnson & DePaolis can help you get the money you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer that cares.