Rear-Ended? Your Injuries May Be More Serious Than They Feel
Rear-end crashes are among the most common accidents on the road, at stoplights, in stop-and-go traffic on I-24 and I-75, and in parking lots. Because the damage to the car can look minor, insurance companies sometimes treat these injuries as minor too.
But the sudden jolt of being hit from behind can injure your neck and back in ways that don't show up right away. Symptoms often appear hours or days after the accident.
Around Chattanooga and North Georgia, we see them in backups on I-24 and I-75, at busy lights on Highway 153 and Rossville Boulevard, and on US-27 through Fort Oglethorpe.
Common Rear-End Collision Injuries
- Whiplash and neck injuries: strain to the muscles, nerves and discs in the neck, causing pain, stiffness and reduced mobility
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Head injuries and concussions, including from hitting the steering wheel or headrest
- Soft tissue injuries: sprains, strains and tears
Learn more: Common Car Accident Injuries
Who Is at Fault in a Rear-End Crash?
In many rear-end collisions, the driver in back is found at fault for following too closely or not paying attention. But not always. The other side may claim you stopped suddenly, had a brake light out, or changed lanes in front of them. Some crashes involve a chain of cars and more than one at-fault driver.
Both Georgia and Tennessee reduce what you can recover if you share some of the fault, and you can't recover at all if you are found 50% or more at fault. That is why the insurance company may look for ways to blame you, and why evidence matters.
The law on following too closely
Tennessee and Georgia both make it illegal to follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, considering speed, traffic and road conditions. A following-too-closely citation in the police report can be important evidence.
Evidence that helps
- The police report
- Photos of both vehicles and the scene
- Witness information
- Dash cam or nearby camera footage
- Prompt medical records
See our checklist: What To Do After a Car Accident
Don't Let the Insurer Call It "Minor"
Insurance adjusters may point to low vehicle damage to argue you couldn't have been hurt. Our law firm partners with medical professionals and specialists who have experience identifying injuries that can sometimes go undetected.
Get checked by a doctor, follow your treatment plan, and keep every record.
Learn more: Car Accident Insurance Claims and Settlements
Investigation
We gather the police report, photos, witness statements and medical records, and we look at who owned the vehicles involved and whether the other driver was working at the time.
We Deal With the Insurance Companies
Once we take your case, we handle communication with the insurance companies for you. You do not have to give a recorded statement to the other driver's insurer.
Free Consultation, Contingency Fee
Your first consultation is free. We take injury cases on a contingency fee basis, which means our fee comes from what we recover for you.
What Happens When You Call Us
Here is what to expect if you reach out after a rear-end crash.
- Free consultation. Tell us what happened. We listen, answer your questions and explain your options. There is no cost to talk with us.
- No upfront fees. If we take your case, we work on a contingency fee basis. We never ask for attorney's fees or a retainer up front.
- Investigation. We gather the police report, photos, witness statements and medical records, and we look at every insurance policy that could apply.
- We handle the insurance companies. Calls, paperwork and requests for recorded statements come to us, so you can focus on getting better.
- Demand and negotiation. Once the full picture of your injuries is clear, we present your claim to the insurance company and negotiate for a fair settlement.
- Ready for trial if needed. Most accident injury cases are settled without going to court. If the insurer won't make a fair offer, we are prepared to file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.
Crash Carson is licensed to practice in both Tennessee and Georgia.
Neck or back pain after being rear-ended? Get a free consultation before you talk to the other driver's insurer.
Questions We Hear Often
Should I get a lawyer after being rear-ended?
You don't have to. But if you were hurt, if the other driver blames you, or if the insurer calls your injuries "minor," a free consultation can help you understand your options before you sign anything.
When should I call a lawyer after a rear-end collision?
Sooner is better, while evidence like photos, video and witness memories is fresh. Georgia's statute of limitations for injury claims is generally two years and Tennessee's is generally one year.
What is the average settlement for a rear-end accident?
There isn't a reliable average. The value of a claim depends on your injuries, your treatment, lost income and how much insurance is available. We can talk through your situation at a free consultation.
How much can I recover after being rear-ended?
A claim can include medical bills, future care, lost wages, pain and suffering and damage to your car. What is available in your case depends on the facts and the insurance involved.
How do you prove a rear-end collision case?
With evidence: the police report, photos of both vehicles, witness information, any dash cam or nearby video, and medical records that connect your injuries to the crash. Getting checked by a doctor promptly is one of the most important steps you can take.
There was barely any damage to my car. Can I still be hurt?
Yes. Low vehicle damage doesn't always mean low injury, and symptoms from a rear-end jolt often appear hours or days later. Get checked and keep your records.