Experienced Auto Accident Lawyers For Rear-End Collisions in Hamden
Connecticut rear-end accident attorneys protect victims’ rights
The scenario is frightening. You’re driving at a responsible speed, slowing for an obstruction or sitting at a red light. Then, out of nowhere, a vehicle hits you from behind, jolting you forward and causing your head to thrust violently forward and back. You’re suddenly in excruciating pain, wondering just what happened. Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. has long experience representing for drivers and passengers hurt in rear-end collisions. Our attorneys will fight hard to get you the financial compensation you need and deserve.
Common causes of rear-end collisions on Connecticut roadways
In a rear-end collision accident, the trailing driver is usually at fault. Reasons for these crashes include:
- Tailgating, also known as following too closely
- Aggressive driving
- Road rage
- Driving under the influence
- Driving while overly fatigued
- Distracted driving
- Driving too fast for conditions
Responsible driving means maintaining an adequate following distance to ensure a safe stop even on a second’s notice. It also means a driver must be attentive to what the cars ahead are doing and must respond accordingly. Rear-end collisions occur when drivers neglect those duties.
What injuries can result from being rear-ended?
The most common injury suffered a rear-end collision is whiplash, which is the action of the neck snapping forward and back due to a sudden impact. The whiplash movement overextends the soft tissue in the neck, often resulting in:
- Muscle strain or tears
- Ligament strain, sprains, or tears
- Dislocated discs
- Pinched nerves
- Concussion, if the head strikes a hard object
Symptoms of whiplash include intense headaches, fatigue, spasms, chronic pain, muscle weakness, loss of mobility, light sensitivity and ringing in the ears (tinnitus). Whiplash injuries can require extensive physical therapy and in some victims, symptoms may diminish but never completely subside.
If you suffer such injuries from being rear-ended, you are entitled to financial compensation for your medical expenses, lost earnings and pain and suffering. As your legal representatives, we fight for the maximum level of compensation possible under the facts of your case.
What to do if you have been rear-ended by someone
In the wake of an accident, your physical safety is of primary importance. But if possible, you should take steps to secure evidence. That means getting identification and insurance information from the other driver, taking pictures of the scene and damage and calling the police. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Then, contact an accident attorney, who can investigate your case and prepare a claim for damages.
What happens if I get rear-ended but there's no damage to my car?
A car can be damaged even when the damage isn’t visible. Therefore, you should still take your car to a mechanic for a thorough diagnostic check. The same principle holds true for human beings. In an accident, adrenaline can disguise pain and you may not know you’ve been hurt. Only after a couple of days do you start to feel the pain setting in. It’s important to seek medical treatment as soon as you suspect you’ve been hurt. This creates a record of the date of your onset of pain, so a defendant driver cannot claim an intervening event caused your harm.
Contact our determined New Haven County auto accident lawyers for your rear-end crash
Gesmonde, Pietrosimone & Sgrignari, L.L.C. in East Haven and Hamden represents victims of rear-end collisions in Connecticut. To set up a free consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer, please call 203-745-0942 or contact us online.