Rear-End Collisions

Attorneys Representing Parties Injured in Rear-End Collisions in Chula Vista and San Diego

Accident

California drivers are expected to operate their vehicles in a reasonable manner, which includes maintaining a safe distance from the cars in front of them. People often disregard this obligation, however, and subsequently cause rear-end collisions. Such crashes often cause substantial property damage and lead to significant injuries. If you were hurt when another driver hit your vehicle from behind, it is prudent to contact an attorney to discuss what claims you might be able to pursue. The capable Chula Vista car accident lawyers of the Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth possess the skills and experience needed to prove liability in personal injury cases, and if you hire us, we will help you fight to protect your interests. We frequently represent people in car accident lawsuits in Chula Vista, San Diego, and cities throughout Southern California.

Duties Imposed on California Drivers

California Vehicle Code 21703 VC provides that motorists cannot follow other vehicles more closely than is reasonable or prudent. The law does not give the exact distance drivers must maintain between their cars and those in front of them but does state that they must consider roadway conditions, their speed, and the amount of traffic in determining what is safe or reasonable.

When people follow too closely behind other vehicles, they often lose the ability to stop in time to avoid a collision. In some cases, a rear-end collision will set off a chain of events resulting in a multi-car crash. While some people in rear-end collisions only sustain minor injuries, others suffer concussions, whiplash, soft-tissue injuries, fractures, and other significant harm.

Elements of a Rear-End Collision Lawsuit

Although it seems evident that a driver that strikes another vehicle from behind is at fault for an accident, people seeking damages for rear-end collisions must nonetheless prove fault. As rear-end crashes are typically caused by unintentional rather than deliberate behavior, in most lawsuits arising out of such accidents, the plaintiff will assert a negligence claim against the defendant.

In California, establishing negligence requires a plaintiff to prove that the defendant owed the plaintiff a duty. The duty may arise out of a statute or may be the obligation to act as a reasonable person would in the same situation. The plaintiff then has to show that the defendant violated the duty in some manner. For example, if the defendant tailgated the plaintiff prior to the crash, it may be a departure from the requirement to provide a safe following distance. Next, the plaintiff needs to prove that they suffered measurable losses and that such losses were directly caused by the defendant’s behavior. While the defendant’s breach does not have to be the sole cause of the collision, it must be a substantial factor in bringing it about.

A plaintiff that proves the defendant’s fault may be awarded compensation for the cost of any medical treatment they needed due to their injuries or are reasonably likely to need in the future. They may also be able to recover lost wages if they could not work due to the accident and out-of-pocket costs. Finally, they may be granted damages for the intangible harm they suffered because of the crash, such as mental anguish, emotional trauma, and physical pain and suffering.

Speak to an Experienced Lawyer in Chula Vista

Rear-end collisions frequently happen in Southern California, and in most instances, they are brought about by carelessness. If you were injured in a rear-end crash, you could be owed damages, and it is smart to speak to a lawyer about your options. At the Law Offices of Bruce S. Meth, our experienced Chula Vista attorneys are well-versed in what it takes to obtain favorable results in car accident cases, and if you engage our services, we will work diligently on your behalf. We have offices in Chula Vista and San Diego, and we regularly assist injured parties in lawsuits in San Diego County and throughout Southern California. You can reach us at (619) 691-8942 or through our online form to set up a confidential and free conference.

Client Reviews

Highly recommend anyone that is looking to find an excellent injury attorney- go to the man Bruce Meth. Him and his colleague Jared Leuck work very hard and I’m very, very happy with the outcome of my case. My mother has been a client as well and we definitely recommend them. Some of the finest...

Jackie S.

Caring, honest accident lawyers are hard to find. After my incident involving an underinsured driver, Bruce Meth worked diligently on my case and achieved a very satisfactory result. Attorney Meth listened to my concerns, clearly explained my options, and kept me informed about progress on my case...

Christine B.

Bruce and his staff are excellent in the way they handled my case. They were quick, efficient, and outstanding. Bruce communicated throughout the case and we got satisfaction for our car crash settlement. Bruce was there for us when we needed a skilled attorney to help us navigate through all the...

Dean F.

The service provided by all the staff at the office off attorney Bruce Meth was exceptional. They made me feel at peace when I was in one of the most stressful moment of my life, I received periodical phone calls and e-mails to check on me and to see how the treatment was working out for me. Mr...

Marya L.

Jared Leuck handled my auto accident case in a professional and expedient fashion. When we first met, I was unsure whether I should proceed on my own or use his services. He objectively and accurately explained to pros and cons of each option. Shortly thereafter I enlisted his services. I am so...

Donald H.

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