Among the many ways in which car accidents can happen, the rear-end collision is one of the most common. Typically, these traffic collisions happen because someone simply fails to pay attention. If you are involved in one of these traffic collisions, you owe it to yourself to protect your right to compensation and get legal help right away.
Our founding attorney, Monty L. Cain, has spent more than two decades fighting for the rights of injury victims in Oklahoma, earning distinctions from the National Association of Top 100 Trial Lawyers and the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. If you have suffered injuries in a rear-end crash in Oklahoma, we will deploy our rapid-response investigation team to gather critical evidence and immediately go to work on your case. Don’t delay – contact our Oklahoma City car accident lawyer today and learn more about your rights and options.
How Cain Law’s OKC Rear-End Car Accident Attorneys Can Help
With over 100 years of collective experience, Cain Law knows what it takes to win. Our personal injury lawyers approach every case as though it will go directly to trial, sending the message to the deep-pocketed insurers that we mean business. We’ve recovered over $250 million* for accident victims across the Sooner State, including the following:
- $3.3 million part jury verdict/part settlement for TBI and orthopedic injuries in a semi crash
- $1.7 million settlement for a mild TBI involving a commercial motor vehicle
- $1.25 million settlement in a contested wrongful death claim from a rollover crash
- $1 million-plus settlement for a commercial motor vehicle crash causing permanent orthopedic injuries
Here’s what Jordan P. had to say about us:
“Experts who care. The team at Cain Law were excellent with handling my case. They took me seriously and fought and won for me.”
If you got hurt in a rear-end motor vehicle crash, our reputable attorneys can help with your recovery by doing the following:
- Determining which drivers, commercial vehicle companies, or other parties may have contributed to the collusion
- Handling communication with insurers on your behalf and pushing back if they try to blame you or minimize your claim’s value
- Gathering and preserving key evidence, such as traffic and dashcam footage, accident scene photos, and police reports
- Calculating the full value of your claim
- Crafting a compelling case to take before a jury in case the insurers won’t agree to a fair settlement
- Charging you no attorney fees unless we successfully resolve your case
Common Rear-End Accident Injuries in Oklahoma City
At Cain Law, we know how a vehicle crashing into you from behind – even at a slow speed – can cause severe trauma. Some of the most common Oklahoma City car accident injuries that we have seen among rear-end accident victims over the years are:
Whiplash
Whiplash. This injury occurs when a person’s head shakes back and forth rapidly upon impact, causing damage to the muscle tissues of the neck and shoulders. This “whipping” action can cause tremendous pain and discomfort after a traffic collision. It can also cause a host of other symptoms – many of which may seem odd or unexpected such as:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Depression or anguish
- Strained or blurred vision
- Difficulty stooping or bending.
Internal organ damage or bleeding
When your body is thrust about inside of a vehicle, you can suffer internal injuries. This is true even if you are restrained by a seat belt. Because you can’t see or easily detect these injuries, it is important see a doctor right away after an accident in order to receive a comprehensive examination.
Traumatic Brain Injury
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) occurs when the brain shifts back and forth inside the skull, striking the skull and damaging brain tissue. The diagnosis of a TBI typically requires a CT scan and/or MRI. The injury may range from a concussion to a more severe cause that causes health problems such as:
- Sleep disturbances
- Emotional or behavioral changes
- Loss of appetite
- Sensory changes
- Lack of gross motor control or balance
- Changes in fine motor skills
- Psychological changes or delays.
Back Injuries
This injury is perhaps the most common complaint after a car accident. Many victims suffer bulging discs or severe damage to the spinal cord. A back injury may keep you out of work for an extended period or limit the activities that you can perform at your job.
When people suffer injuries from rear-end accidents, it can be tough to know exactly what to do next. Cain Law can provide the guidance and representation that you need. It starts with a free consultation. If you can’t come to our offices in Oklahoma City or Edmond, we can meet with you in your home or the hospital or wherever else is most convenient for you.
When Is the Rear Driver At Fault?
In most situations, the rear driver is at fault for a rear-end crash. This is because the driver in the rear typically is in the best position to see the car in front and react to the car stopping or taking other actions.
These traffic collisions usually happen because the rear driver is distracted by:
- Cell phones (texting or talking)
- Looking up directions on GPS
- Messing with the radio or other controls
- Putting on makeup
- Eating or drinking
- Interacting with passengers or pets in the vehicle.
Of course, alcohol or drug impairment can also play a role as well as inexperience. In some cases, a driver may be overly fatigued and slow to react to the front driver.
When Is the Front Driver At Fault?
Though less common, in some cases, the lead car driver causes the crash. For instance, a front driver may act erratically. Some examples of how a front driver can cause a rear-end accident are:
- Turning or changing lanes without a signal
- Failing to check mirrors and blind spots
- Stopping or slowing down abruptly.
How Can We Determine Fault in a Rear-End Accident in Oklahoma City?
People often worry that they will be unable to recover compensation because the insurance company will blame them for the rear-end crash. When you work with Cain Law, we will thoroughly investigate your case and determine who caused the accident.
As part of that investigation, we will aggressively gather evidence to support your case such as:
- Crash scene photos
- Witness statements
- Vehicle inspections
- Electronic data recorder (“black box”) information
- Cell phone records
- Chemical test results
- Surveillance camera footage
We may even consult with crash reconstruction experts and forensic engineers who are trained to use measurements, photographs and various statistical calculations to determine and explain how and why a traffic collision occurred.
Our ultimate goal will be to prepare a case for success at trial. That preparation will give you the leverage you need to pursue a full and fair settlement in negotiations with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If you are interested in learning more, please do not hesitate to reach out to us for a free case consultation.
Our Oklahoma City Rear-End Car Accident Attorneys Are Here for You
We have decades of experience with handling serious auto accident injury claims in Oklahoma. You can count on Cain Law to professionally investigate your rear-end car accident, carefully calculate your damages and seek the compensation you deserve. Contact us at any time to learn more about how we can help you.
Our consultations are always free, and our Oklahoma City personal injury attorneys stand ready to fight for you from start to finish. There is no risk and no obligation. So, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by getting touch with us about your case. Just don’t wait too long: Oklahoma law puts strict limits on how long you can wait to seek compensation for your injuries. If you wait too long, you could forever waive your rights.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still have a claim if my rear-end crash only caused minor vehicle damage?
Yes. Many rear-end accidents result in soft tissue injuries, whiplash, or concussions that may not be immediately apparent, regardless of the vehicle’s damage.
What if the other driver says I stopped suddenly?
Drivers are expected to maintain a safe following distance, so even if you stopped suddenly a collision should not occur. If you were responding to a hazard, were slowing down, or had to suddenly brake for an emergency, the accident might not be your fault. Even if it was partially your fault, Oklahoma’s law on modified comparative negligence allows you to pursue compensation as long as the other driver was more at fault in the accident than you were.
What if I was pushed into another car during a rear-end collision?
If you were completely stopped or were moving normally and shoved forward by the rear car hitting you, you are typically not held liable for hitting the car in front of you. However, if you are determined to have somehow contributed to the crash, such as having broken brake lights beforehand, your percentage of fault may reduce your payout under Oklahoma’s comparative negligence law.
Why did my neck or back pain show up days after the rear-end accident?
Delayed pain occurs because the adrenaline rush and endorphins released during a collision can mask symptoms. Inflammation, stiffness, and conditions like whiplash, herniated discs, and pinched nerves often take several days to fully manifest.
*Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any future case