Rear-End Collision Attorney

Rear-end collisions are a common occurrence in Kentucky, and they often leave victims facing challenges that include serious injuries, medical expenses, property damage, and missed time at work. When a crash is caused by a negligent driver, the injured person has the right to file a claim to get compensation for the many costs they have incurred.

While there is often a presumption that the driver who rear-ends the vehicle in front of them is at fault in these collisions, there are situations — such as when the front driver stops suddenly or is reckless — which can complicate the case.  Kentucky injury law is complex, and insurance companies and their lawyers will use it to their advantage to try to deny claims or get you to settle for the lowest amount possible. Fortunately, you do not have to fight for fair compensation on your own. There is legal help available to fight for your rights and the settlement you deserve.

If you or loved one has been seriously injured or someone has died in a rear-end collision, the Kentucky vehicle accident lawyers at the Johnson Law Firm can handle all legal hurdles and negotiations needed to pursue maximum financial recovery, so you can concentrate on rebuilding your life.

Why Choose Our Rear-end Collision Lawyer

When selecting an attorney, it is important to find one who has the knowledge, experience, skills, and resources to fight for the best settlement possible. Here are some reasons to choose the Johnson Law Firm:

• We are experienced. Attorney Billy Johnson is highly skilled and aggressive when going after negligent parties, but he is also compassionate and caring toward the families he serves.  He has been helping injury victims and their families put their lives back together since 1998, and you can read their testimonials.
• We get results, including a $9 million trucking accident settlement.
• We are certified and respected for the work we do. Billy Johnson has been recognized by the following organizations:
  • Super Lawyer
  • Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • Million Dollar Advocates Forum
  • National Trial Lawyers, Top 100 Trial Lawyers
  • Instrument Rated Pilot
• We offer free consultations to get you started, and there are no fees to you unless and until we win your case.

How Our Vehicle Accident Lawyer in Kentucky Works for You

After a serious rear-end collision, it is important to start investigating quickly, while evidence and witnesses can be found.  When you have the Johnson Law Firm on your side, our legal team begins working for you immediately. We will:

• Meet with you to discuss how the accident happened and determine fault and what your case may be worth.
• Ensure you receive proper medical care and that all injuries are documented.
• Conduct investigations and gather evidence to support your case, such as photos and videos of the accident scene, interviews with witnesses and first responders, and police, ambulance and medical records.
• File all paperwork for your claim according to Kentucky laws and requirements.
• Get expert testimony as to fault, the extent of your injuries, and the costs and effects on your life into the future.
• Negotiate with insurance companies and opposition attorneys for a fair settlement.
• Build your case and take it to court if necessary.

Proving Negligence in Kentucky Rear-end Accident Cases

Proving negligence is essential in any personal injury negligence case. To win your case, our attorneys would have to prove that another party (the defendant in the case) was negligent and at fault for the accident and resulting injuries. To do so, we must establish the following legal elements:

• Duty. The defendant owed you a duty of care not to cause harm.
• Breach. The defendant breached that duty (such as while driving under the influence).
• Cause. This breach resulted in the accident that injured you.
• Damages. You suffered damages as a result.

If one car hits another from behind, Kentucky state law says that the fault generally will lie with the driver of the car in back. Drivers are expected to always maintain control of their vehicle and are responsible for any damages caused by their vehicle.

Possible exceptions include circumstances that were unavoidable or unintentional. This can happen when the driver of the lead car…

• Has an emergency, but does not pull over or turn on emergency signals
• Has broken brake lights or turn signals
• Reverses suddenly
• Stops suddenly to make a turn and fails to execute the turn.

In these instances, the driver that was rear-ended may be considered partially at fault for the accident. Under Kentucky’s comparative fault system, that driver can still recover damages (even if they are 99 percent at fault), but their recovery is reduced by their degree of fault.

Rear-end collisions frequently are caused when drivers are negligent because they …

• Disregard traffic conditions
• Fail to drive at a reasonable speed, pay attention to the road, use turn signals, or yield the right of way
• Operate the vehicle while intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

Crashes where the lead car is stopped can be just as dangerous, because when the front of one vehicle collides with the rear of another vehicle, energy is transferred. That energy is absorbed by the first car and its occupants, causing their necks to suddenly bend further than normal and resulting in whiplash (also referred to as hyperextension, neck sprain, or neck strain). In addition, the probability of a multiple-car pile-up increases when a rear-end crash has occurred, especially on a busy highway where drivers are traveling at a high rate of speed.

Damages You May Receive in a Rear-end Accident

In a successful case, Kentucky allows recovery of both your monetary losses and your non-economic damages for losses that do not have a monetary value but negatively impact your life. These may include:

• Past and future medical and rehabilitation expenses
• Loss of current and future income
• Property damaged in the accident
• Physical and emotional pain and suffering
• Disability
• Wrongful death.

There are a wide range of damage awards possible in a rear-end collision case, from the thousands to millions of dollars. The amount you may receive depends on the individual circumstances of your crash and factors such as the severity and permanence of your injuries. Billy Johnson will fight to make sure you get payment that truly reflects the costs you are facing.

Don’t Accept an Insurance Company’s Offer Without Talking to an Attorney

After a car wreck, you might be contacted by insurance companies to discuss the incident. If you talk to your own insurance company, you should do your best to cooperate with them, but know that you are not obligated to accept their offer if it doesn’t meet your needs.

If you are contacted by someone else’s insurance company, do not speak to them. This insurance company’s representative wants to get you to make a statement on the record. If they can find a way to lessen the amount of money that they’ll pay you, they’ll take advantage of every opportunity you give them. Tell the representative to contact your attorney and say nothing else.

Get Help from a Rear-end Collision Attorney

If you were involved in a rear-end collision, it is in your best interest to hire a lawyer immediately. Drivers of both cars have rights that should be protected, and questions regarding liability, property damage, and personal injuries can be complicated. Passengers who were hurt in the collision should also secure skilled advice to navigate the legal system. There are plenty of opportunities to make mistakes in the days, weeks and months following your crash. An attorney can help you maximize your chances of getting the compensation you need to cover your costs.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a car wreck, contact the KY rear-end car accident lawyers at the Johnson Law Firm as soon as possible. Billy Johnson fights for his clients to get the compensation they need. Do not delay, as there is a statute of limitations, a deadline to file auto accident claims in Kentucky (KRS § 304.39-230) that allows no more than two years from the date of the collision to file a lawsuit, in most cases.

Call us today at 606-437-4488 for a free, no-obligation consultation.