Were you injured when another vehicle struck you from behind in El Segundo, California? An experienced El Segundo rear-end crash lawyer can investigate the collision and help you pursue compensation for your losses. Call J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers today at (323) 284-2834 to schedule a free consultation.
Rear-end accidents can cause serious injuries, even when vehicles are traveling at relatively low speeds. Medical bills, lost income, and vehicle repairs can quickly create financial stress. Our attorneys can handle communications with the insurance companies and help you determine the best path forward after your car accident.
Why Choose J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers for Help After a Rear-End Accident in El Segundo, CA?
At J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our team brings 20 years of combined experience to injury cases and has recovered tens of millions of dollars for clients. Our El Segundo personal injury attorneys have also received recognition for their work on behalf of injured people.
Our accomplishments include:
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts 2024 Los Angeles County
- Top 100 Jury Verdicts 2024 Personal Injury Los Angeles County
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
Our El Segundo car accident lawyers can investigate your crash, gather evidence, assess your damages, and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf. If necessary, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your rear-end accident.
Who Is Responsible for a Rear-End Collision in California?
The rear driver is often found responsible for a rear-end collision, but fault is not automatic. Liability depends on the circumstances of the crash and the evidence showing how it happened. California courts have recognized that a rear-end collision can support an inference of negligence by the following driver, but determining negligence remains a fact-specific question.
A driver may be negligent for following too closely, using a phone while driving, speeding, or failing to brake in time. However, another party may share responsibility in some cases. For example, an employer may be vicariously liable for a crash caused by an employee who was acting within the scope of employment.
Evidence such as photographs, witness statements, surveillance video, vehicle damage, and electronic data can help establish what happened and who was at fault. An attorney can gather and review this evidence to help determine how the collision occurred and whether another party may share liability.
What Injuries Can a Rear-End Crash Cause?
A sudden impact from behind can cause the head and neck to move rapidly backward and forward, potentially injuring the muscles, ligaments, and other tissues in the neck. Rear-end collisions can also cause injuries to the back, shoulders, head, and other parts of the body.
Rear-end collision injuries can include:
- Whiplash
- Neck strains and sprains
- Back injuries
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Shoulder injuries
- Broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Cuts and bruises
Some symptoms may not appear immediately after the collision. Whiplash symptoms, for example, can develop over the following hours or days. Seeking prompt medical attention can help identify injuries and ensure you receive appropriate treatment. Medical records can also document when your symptoms began and how they developed after the crash.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Rear-End Accident in El Segundo?
If another party was responsible for your collision, you may be able to recover compensation for both economic and non-economic damages resulting from the accident and your injuries.
Economic damages cover financial losses, including medical expenses, future medical treatment, rehabilitation costs, lost income, diminished earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages compensate for losses that are more difficult to quantify, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.
The amount of compensation you may recover depends on the circumstances of your case and the losses you have experienced. Your attorney can use medical records, employment information, bills, repair estimates, and other evidence to document your damages and show how the accident has affected you.
Can I Recover Damages if I Share Fault for the Crash?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence system. This means you can still recover damages even if you share responsibility for an accident, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, suppose you suffer $100,000 in damages and are found 20% responsible for the collision. Your recovery could be reduced by 20%, leaving you with $80,000.
Shared fault may become an issue if an insurer claims that the front driver stopped suddenly, had defective brake lights, or otherwise contributed to the collision. Your lawyer can examine the evidence, assess how fault should be allocated, and challenge attempts to place an unfair share of the blame on you.
How Long Do I Have to File a Rear-End Accident Lawsuit in California?
In California, you generally have two years from the date of your injury to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, exceptions and different deadlines may apply depending on the circumstances of your case.
It is important not to wait until the deadline approaches to investigate your accident. Surveillance footage may be erased, witnesses can become difficult to locate, and vehicles may be repaired or destroyed.
Starting the process promptly gives your attorney more time to preserve evidence, document your injuries, and communicate with the insurance companies. It can also help protect your ability to pursue compensation before the applicable deadline expires.
Contact Our El Segundo Rear-End Crash Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A rear-end collision can leave you dealing with painful injuries, time away from work, mounting expenses, and uncertainty about what comes next. If someone else caused your crash, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and losses.
At J. Hartley Law Personal Injury Lawyers, our team can investigate the collision, gather evidence of fault, assess your damages, and handle negotiations with the insurance companies on your behalf. Contact our El Segundo rear-end crash attorneys today to schedule a free consultation. We can review your case, answer your questions, and explain your options for pursuing compensation.