Spartanburg Rear-End Accident Lawyer

When people think of the most severe types of car accidents, head-on collisions and t-bone collisions are often the first ones to come to mind. Unfortunately, few people realize that even at low speeds, rear-end collisions can result in life-altering and even fatal injuries that can devastate a person’s health and financial stability. To make matters worse, drivers who have been involved in a rear-end collision often face resistance from insurance companies that process their claims.

If you’ve been involved in a rear-end accident, HawkLaw P.A. can protect your rights and advocate for the compensation you deserve. Our firm has recovered millions on behalf of our clients and is familiar with the many nuances of these cases.

Common Causes of Rear-End Accidents in Spartanburg

Rear-end accidents are rarely a random event; they typically occur due to negligence. The most common causes of rear-end accidents that our firm typically sees are:

• Distracted driving, including texting and driving, changing the radio, or adjusting navigation devices.
• A driver following too closely to the car in front of them (otherwise known as tailgating).
• Speeding, which reduces the amount of time that a rear-end driver has to brake.
• Driving while intoxicated or fatigued, which can cause a slower response time for either driver.

Common Injuries in Rear-End Collisions

Rear-end collisions can result in some of the most serious types of injuries seen on Spartanburg highways. Common rear-end collision injuries include:

• Whiplash: an injury caused by a sudden back-and-forth jolt commonly experienced in rear-end collisions. A person who has sustained whiplash may have neck or back pain, but in more severe cases, can develop neurological issues or brain damage.
• Spinal or neck injuries: This may include lower back issues, herniated discs, or even paralysis or coma.
• Shoulder, abdomen, or upper back injuries: Sudden braking or a collision from behind will cause seatbelts to lock in place, which can cause them to cut into a person’s shoulders, upper back, or abdomen.
• Brain injuries: If a person is suddenly jolted forward by the car behind them and they hit their head on the dashboard or steering wheel, it can cause a concussion or traumatic brain injury.

Why Rear-End Crashes Are Complicated

Beyond the misconception that rear-end accidents are usually minor, many drivers also wrongly assume that these cases are relatively open-and-shut. In reality, there is a lot that can go wrong when filing a rear-end accident claim without experienced representation. Many rear-ended drivers expect insurance to side with them, especially if they stopped long before they were hit.

But for insurance providers, the primary goal is to save money. Throughout the process, they will be looking for any possible way to question your version of the events. They may try to claim that you stopped unexpectedly or that you weren’t paying attention when the light turned green. They may also claim that your injuries didn’t result from the accident itself, that they’re less serious than you claim, or that your injuries were made worse because you didn’t follow your doctor’s recommendations. And if you don’t have the evidence to prove them wrong, it can result in an unfair denial or undervalued settlement offer.

Regardless of how the accident happened, it’s always best to play it safe and hire a lawyer to manage your claim and protect your right to fair compensation.

Why Hire a Spartanburg Rear-End Accident Lawyer at HawkLaw?

While it’s important to have skilled legal representation in any car accident, it’s equally important that you hire the right firm for the job. HawkLaw P.A. not only has decades of experience with personal injury cases, but we have also successfully litigated hundreds of rear-end collision claims that involved a wide variety of unique scenarios. We understand the complications that can come up when filing a rear-end collision claim and know what to expect throughout the process.

Our rear-end accident lawyers in Spartanburg look at each case, investigating what happened and collecting evidence that supports your version of the events. From there, we’ll calculate the full value of the damages and submit our findings to insurance, advocating for you every step of the way. We also understand the financial burden that many victims face following an accident, and our contingency fee structure* reflects this. We never charge for our services unless we win your case.

How Fault Is Determined in Spartanburg Rear-End Accidents

When filing any car accident claim, the primary goal is to prove the other driver’s negligence and to demonstrate how this negligence caused your injuries and other damages. To do this, you’ll need to collect as much supporting evidence as possible. When building your case, HawkLaw P.A. will compile medical records, traffic reports, photos of the accident site, and witness testimony to support your claims. If needed, we can also subpoena surveillance and dash cam footage and even hire experts, such as accident reconstructionists, whose testimony can strengthen your case.

All of these examples of evidence can be helpful in showing that the other driver was at fault for the accident. That being said, it’s important to note that if the evidence determines that you may have shared some responsibility in causing the accident, that doesn’t automatically disqualify you from receiving compensation for your injuries. South Carolina is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that if you are found partially at fault, your settlement will be reduced by that percentage. However, this is all the more reason to work with a lawyer so that your percentage of fault is not overestimated or wrongly assigned.

Types of Compensation You May Be Able to Recover

At HawkLaw P.A., we help clients understand the full scope of damages they may be entitled to and pursue every type of compensation available. Depending on your case, you may be eligible to recover:

• Medical expenses, including future treatment costs. Covers hospital visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy, medications, and any ongoing care related to your injuries.
• Lost income during recovery. Reimburses the wages you miss while unable to work due to your accident.
• Lost earning capacity. Compensation if your injuries permanently limit your ability to work or reduce your future income potential.
• Vehicle damage. Pays for the repair or replacement of your car and any personal property inside that was damaged in the crash.
• Pain and suffering. Accounts for the physical pain and discomfort caused by your injuries.
• Emotional distress. Covers anxiety, depression, or trauma resulting from the accident.
• Disfigurement or permanent injury. Compensation for visible scarring or lasting physical impairments that affect your appearance or daily life.

What Should You Do After a Rear-End Crash in Spartanburg?

Any accident can be incredibly traumatic, but it’s important to remember that the actions you take following a rear-end collision not only affect your health and safety but also your ability to recover compensation for your injuries. Here are the general steps you should take:

1. If you or the other driver has injuries that require immediate medical intervention, call 911. If not, you’ll still want to get a medical evaluation as soon as possible, even if you feel that your injuries are minor. Rear-end collision injuries (especially brain, spinal cord, and whiplash injuries) can take days or even weeks to manifest. If these injuries aren’t addressed immediately, they may not only become more complex, but you may also face scrutiny from insurance.
2. If you haven’t already called 911, contact the Spartanburg non-emergency police line at 864-596-2222 to report the accident. In most situations, you are legally required to do this, but it’s also beneficial to your case as the report can be used as evidence.
3. Collect additional evidence at the scene if it is safe to do so. At a minimum, you should exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver and eyewitnesses. If possible, take pictures of the accident site, noting injuries and damage to the vehicles.
4. Avoid giving any statements or accepting any offers from insurance until you’ve had a chance to talk with a car accident lawyer.
5. Keep copies of any documentation relating to your case, including medical records, communications from insurance or the other driver, and any expenses related to your accident.

Do You Have a Spartanburg Rear-End Accident Lawyer Near Me?

HawkLaw P.A. has offices throughout South Carolina, including Columbia, Charleston, Greenville, and Anderson (by appointment only). Our Spartanburg office is located downtown at 101 N Pine St #303, Spartanburg, SC 29302, near the Town Square Shopping Center.

Get in Touch With Our Spartanburg Rear-End Accident Lawyers Today

The injuries our firm has witnessed clients sustain in rear-end collisions are often more serious than people expect. Some victims experience significant pain, medical treatment, and lost time from work, and may still face insurance companies undervaluing or denying their claims. HawkLaw P.A. is committed to protecting our clients from having to face this result, and for over 30 years, our firm has worked tirelessly to recover millions on their behalf. If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision, we encourage you to contact our firm for a consultation to discuss your legal options.