Oakland Rear End Car Accident Lawyer
Many drivers in Northern California have been involved in a rear-end collision, even if the crash was a minor one with few or no vehicle occupant injuries. Yet rear-end crashes can also be serious and can result in severe injuries. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), rear-end collisions are only responsible for slightly more than 7 percent of all reported fatal accidents, but these types of collisions are frequently responsible for a high percentage of nonfatal crashes. In most cases, rear-end accidents happen when the driver behind you (the driver who collided from the rear) makes a mistake or behaves in a careless way.
To hold an at-fault driver accountable for a rear-end collision, you should seek advice from an aggressive Oakland rear end car accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Whiplash and Other Common Injuries in Oakland Rear End Collisions
Whiplash is one of the most common types of injuries in rear-end collisions, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common rear-end collision injuries include but are not limited to:
- Whiplash;
- Other neck injuries;
- Concussions;
- Broken bones;
- Contusions;
- Sprains and strains;
- Organ damage; and
- Traumatic amputations.
Damages in an Oakland Rear End Car Crash Case
Damages for a rear-end collision in Oakland typically can include two kinds of compensatory damages:
- Economic or pecuniary damages, which can compensate you for actual damages like your medical bills or your lost wages; and
- Non-economic damages, which can compensate you for subjective losses like your pain and suffering.
If the at-fault driver intentionally collided with your car, you could also be eligible to seek punitive damages.
Comparative Fault and Oakland Highway Crashes
What should you do if you think you are also partially at fault for the rear-end crash? For example, what if you stopped too quickly because you did not leave sufficient following distance between your own vehicle and the car in front of you? California is known as a pure comparative fault state, which means that you can recover damages regardless of whether the defendant can prove that you are 1 percent or 99 percent at fault. However, your total damages award will ultimately be reduced by any percentage of your own fault.
What this means is that, if the defendant is able to successfully argue that you are 10 percent responsible for the rear-end collision in which you got hurt, your damages award will be reduced by 10 percent.
Contact Our Oakland Rear End Car Accident Lawyers As Soon As Possible
Were you involved in a rear-end collision? Much too often, rear-end accidents happen when another driver is distracted and carelessly collides with the vehicle in front of them. Whether your accident occurred at low speeds at a stop light or high speeds on a freeway or highway, one of our dedicated Oakland rear end car accident attorneys can help you with your claim. We will do everything we can to assist you in obtaining the financial compensation you need to get your life back on track. Contact Venardi Zurada to discuss your case with one of our attorneys.