San Antonio Rear-End Accident Lawyer
Experienced counsel for Texas drivers and victims injured in a rear-end crash
Rear-end collisions are among the most common, if not THE most common, types of car crashes. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, folks can sustain severe, even life-altering injuries in a rear-end crash.
At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, we are skilled at showing how a rear-end crash occurred, why the driver in the rear was negligent, and which other drivers may be partially liable for the car accident Our team in San Antonio works with your doctors and our own network of experts to verify your injuries, such as whiplash and soft tissue injuries. Our record of success includes more than 40 settlements and verdicts of one million dollars or more.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the different ways a rear-end collision can occur in San Antonio?
- Why do rear-end collisions happen in San Antonio?
- How can a San Antonio attorney help my car accident case?
- What types of issues can complicate a rear-end collision in San Antonio?
- What types of injuries do rear-end accidents cause?
- Do you have a rear-end accident lawyer near me?
What are the different ways a rear-end collision can occur in San Antonio?
Most rear-end accidents involve two cars – a first car (A) that is stopped and a second car (B) that is traveling and fails to brake in time, striking car A. Car B is almost always at fault in this scenario.
Some rear-end accidents involve multiple vehicles in a chain reaction. For example, Car A is stopped in front of Car B. Car C hits Car B, which then hits Car A.
There are also times where you could be rear-ended in San Antonio while your vehicle is moving. This typically involved a distracted, speeding, and/or tailgating driver.
Why do rear-end collisions happen in San Antonio?
Most rear-end accidents in Texas happen because the driver in the rear was speeding or was distracted. Drivers need to know the speed limits of the roads they use. They also need to slow down below the speed limit if the traffic is congested, the weather is bad, or the road conditions are poor. The faster a driver is traveling, the greater the impact will be when a San Antonio rear-end collision happens.
Driver distraction includes more than just not looking ahead. Drivers who have their hands off the steering wheel or their minds off of traffic emergencies are also likely to cause a rear-end collision. Common types of driver distraction include texting while driving, talking on a smartphone while driving, eating, drinking, and using a GPS system.
Rear-end crashes are also common where there are unexpected changes, and no warning about those changes. For example, drivers traveling into a construction zone may be faced with narrowed lanes, new merges, or work trucks moving in and out of the area. Or, perhaps a driver is cresting a hill, and there is traffic that cannot be seen until you reach the top. In scenarios like these, a rear-end accident may be more likely.
Defective parts can also cause a crash. If the on your car brakes failed to work (or an airbag failed to deploy properly and you suffered additional injury) we can also file product liability claims against the manufacturers because their products were defective.
How can a San Antonio attorney help my car accident case?
There are several ways to show how a rear-end collision happened:
- Analyzing the vehicle damage. In virtually all rear-end collisions, the damage to the first car will be in the rear of the car, while the damage to the driver that caused the rear-end collision will be in the front of the car.
- Examining the accident site. We have investigators examine the layout of the road, the location of any traffic lights or stop signs, the distance from the intersection to where the collision happened, the speed limit, and many other factors.
- Talking with the police. The police will normally be called to investigate the accident and help any injured victims. They should file a written report.
- Conducting discovery. Our personal injury specialist will submit written questions to every defendant and orally question every person who has relevant information. We may also seek phone records and other physical evidence to show that a driver was speeding or was distracted.
- Working with traffic reconstruction professionals. In chain reaction cases, we may work with experts who use engineering principles and computer graphics to show, in slow motion, how the accident happened.
This is why you want a San Antonio car accident lawyer on your side: we have access to a network of professionals and experts who can help us with your claim. This network, combined with our decades of experience successfully representing rear-end accident victims, means you can trust the Law Offices of Pat Maloney to help you.
What types of issues can complicate a rear-end collision in San Antonio?
One common issue in rear-end accident cases is comparative negligence. Texas law provides that each liable defendant will be assigned a percentage of his/her fault. For example, if Driver A is hit by more than one vehicle, then the drivers who hit him may all be partially responsible – and therefore civilly liable – for any damages. If more than one defendant is responsible, then our San Antonio car accident lawyer will need to review the insurance policies and the liability issues to determine which insurance companies should pay for your damages, and in what amounts they should pay.
Some of the other complications that may happen in a rear-end collision in San Antonio include:
- There may be multiple injury victims, including the drivers of each car and the passengers in the various cars. This can result in multiple lawsuits.
- If the other driver is a commercial truck driver, then the trucking company may be liable.
- The driver who hit you may live out-of-state.
- A defective part may be responsible for the crash.
- The driver who hit you may flee the scene.
- The driver who hit you may be uninsured or underinsured.
- You may sustain an injury that worsens over time.
Just because rear-end accidents are common does not mean they cannot be complex cases. You’ll want an experienced San Antonio car accident attorney on your side.
What types of injuries do rear-end accidents cause?
Common rear-end collision injuries include the following:
- Spinal cord damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Organ damage
- Whiplash
- Soft-tissue injuries
- Neck and back pain
- Broken bones
- Burn injuries
- Traumatic amputation/loss of limb
If your loved one died due to a rear-end accident, we file a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family members.
Do you have a rear-end accident lawyer near me?
The Law Offices of Pat Maloney is located at 239 E Commerce St. in the center of Downtown San Antonio, TX. Our office is one of the most gorgeous and historic buildings in San Antonio. It’s easy to park nearby. If you cannot travel, we do arrange video conferences, phone discussions, and hospital visits.
We’ll explain your rights and clearly guide you through the claims process.
Talk to a respected San Antonio rear-end accident lawyer today
Rear-end collisions are frightening. One moment, your life is normal. The next moment, you’re in constant agony hoping that hospital care, doctor visits, and rehabilitative therapy will help you recover. At the Law Offices of Pat Maloney, our San Antonio rear-end collisions have been fighting for car accident victims for 40 years. We’ll fight to obtain the strongest result possible through insurance settlements and jury verdicts. To discuss your right to compensation, call us or complete our contact form to schedule a free consultation. We handle rear-end accidents on a contingency fee basis.