Distracted Driving Accidents Attorney In Valparaiso, Indiana

In 2019, there were over 217,396 crashes in Indiana and 3,766 in LaPorte County. Of the 217,000 statewide collisions, 51,000 were rear-end crashes. Rear-end crashes are sometimes called “fender-benders”, but that term doesn’t tell the whole story. I can’t tell you that over the 30+ years that I have interacted with victims of rear-end accidents, a number of these folks have experienced long term problems from the alleged “fender bender”.

Guy DiMartino Law fights for fair compensation for car accident victims. Call our office at 219-690-8997 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with our Valpo car accident attorney.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents in

Valpo, Indiana

Weather conditions, bad roadway design and medical issues can cause rear-end crashes. However, the number one cause of rear-end accident is driver negligence and inattention.

Valpo Indiana drivers owe all other drivers on the roadway a duty to maintain a safe distance between their vehicles and the vehicles that are in front of them. Keeping a safe distance allows drivers to slow or stop before crashing into another vehicle. However, several bad driving behaviors create dangerous situations that may lead to rear-end crashes.

Some of the driving behaviors that can cause or contribute to rear-end accidents include:

• Texting or playing on a cell phone

• Distracted driving

• Aggressive driving or road rage

• Tailgating – following too closely

• OWI – diving under the influence

• Reckless driving

• Speeding

• Driving too fast for the conditions on the roadway

• Drowsy driving

Our Valparaiso personal injury law firm will investigate your traffic crash to determine the factors that contributed to the cause of the accident. Folks who contributed to the cause of the crash can be held responsible for injuries and damages caused by the crash. Initially after an accident, we must get all the evidence that proves fault for the crash. This information may include photos, videos, and witness statements.

Who Is to Blame for Your Valparaiso Rear-End Accident?

Rear-end crashes happen when the front of a car or truck slams into the rear of a vehicle in front of it. One of the most commons places for these accidents are intersections. The front vehicle is stopped at a light and the vehicle behind isn’t paying attention and crashes into the stopped car. Rear-end crashes also happen in parking lots, fast food drive through lanes, school pickup and drop off lines, highways and at stop signs in local neighborhoods.

In a typical case, the rear car is blamed for causing the accident. However, if the front vehicle stops short for no apparent reason, that driver may be held responsible for causing the crash.

Once we are retained after a rear-end crash, we search for all available evidence to prove that the other driver caused he crash. Some of the evidence in these cases can include:

• Traffic cam or nearby video surveillance cameras

• Physical evidence at the accident scene, which may include skid marks, residual car parts, oil or other liquid spills, and grooves on the roadway

• Physical damage to the vehicles

• The layout of the accident scene

• Eyewitness statements

• Blackbox – Electronic Data Recorder Info

• Accident reconstructionist if necessary

If you are the front vehicle that was rear-ended and the other insurance company starts taking the position that you are at fault or partially responsible for the accident, that is the first clue that you may want to contact a lawyer. The insurance company is obviously trying to avoid paying for your vehicle and your injuries.

Frequent Injuries Caused by Rear-End Crashes

The most frequent injury in rear-end “fender benders” include neck and whiplash. If you are stopped at a traffic light, and hit in the rear-end, the car moves forward causing your neck to snap back and forth. The whipping motion can injure your neck muscles, ligaments (holds bone to bone), and tendon (attaches muscle to bone).

A high number of whiplashes heal within 6 to 12 weeks. However, some folks (not to be sexist – but more women than men) can experience chronic pain and long-term problems after the rear-end accident.

Injuries to the back and spine are also common after a rear-end crash. Just like in the neck, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and discs can be injured in the middle and lower back areas.

Fractures in the lower back and pelvis. Even though seatbelts can protect against severe injury to the abdominal organs, the lap belt cause specific fractures in the pelvis or lower back. One of these fractures is called a chance fracture.

A rear-end accident can also cause a traumatic brain injury. The whipping of your head can disrupt structures in the brain that can lead to a mild-traumatic brain injury (MTBI). These folks may be diagnosed with a concussion or post-concussion syndrome.

What Type of Compensation Is Available After a Rear-End Accident in Valparaiso?

If the other driver is responsible for the accident, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your:

• Hospital and medical expenses

• Lost wages

• Loss of income in the future

• Loss of the quality of enjoyment of your life

• Physical pain and suffering

• Mental anguish

The insurance company playbook is to downplay the injuries and damages caused by rear-end accidents. An insurance adjuster will typically argue that there was limited property damage, you should be better in a month or so, and they will try to bully you into under settling your claim. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve spoken to over the years, who were bullied into settling their claim with a couple of weeks of the accident, only to later learn that they have continued problems with no chance of further compensation.

Free Consultation After Your Valpo, Indiana Car Accident

Rear-end collisions are not just “fender benders” and can cause longstanding issues. You deserve fair compensation for your losses. At Guy DiMartino Law, we fight to protect our clients’ rights. We handle all aspects of your accident claim, so you can focus on getting better and moving on with the rest of your life.