Rear-end car accidents are some of the most common types of car accidents seen in DuPage County, but that does not mean they are not serious. When one car hits another car in front of them, the driver and passengers in the front car can suffer from whiplash or even a traumatic brain injury if their head hits the steering wheel or the dashboard.
Most often, courts in DuPage County find the car in the rear at fault in these types of accidents. However, that is not always the case. It can be difficult to determine liability in a rear-end car accident, especially when there is more than one vehicle involved. Given this fact, if you were such a crash recently and are looking to recover compensation, you may want to speak to a DuPage County rear-end car accident lawyer who could help you with your case.
DuPage County Law on Tailgating
Tailgating is one of the most common causes of rear-end car accidents, and it is an issue that Illinois state law addresses directly. The applicable law states that drivers cannot “follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable or prudent.” Furthermore, drivers must allow enough room in front of them for an overtaking vehicle to move in front of them without incident, when it is reasonable to do so.
If a driver fails to abide by these laws and subsequently causes an accident, they may be found negligent in civil court. If an accident occurs as a result of that negligence and someone becomes injured, the injured individual can file a lawsuit against the negligent driver to seek compensation for their injuries.
Tailgating is a form of negligence because it is against the law, and failing to obey traffic signals and laws is not considered acting in a reasonable manner by DuPage County courts. However, tailgating is not the only type of negligence that may be present in a rear-end car accident, and the vehicle that hit from behind is not always at fault.
This is just one way in which these types of accident cases can become complicated—and why accident victims may need to speak to a rear-end car accident lawyer in DuPage County to seek the full amount of compensation they may be entitled to.
Multiple Vehicle Car Accidents
When more than two vehicles are involved in a rear-end car accident, any ensuing civil case can become even more complicated. Multiple parties often make it even more difficult to determine liability—in other words, who was at fault for the accident.
For example, if one vehicle was stopped at a red light and a vehicle hit them from behind, the force of that impact could cause the vehicle that was hit to move forward. It may then hit another vehicle in front of it, or even be forced into the intersection, sustaining more serious injuries and hitting another vehicle.
In this example, the vehicle that was originally hit would likely not be found at fault. Having been stopped at the time of the accident and following traffic signals, there would be no negligence on their part.
Speak with a DuPage County Rear-End Car Accident Attorney Today
In most cases, DuPage County car accident victims have only two years to file a lawsuit after a car accident. Because of this ticking clock on claims, it is often important that those wishing to seek compensation speak to an attorney for help right away.
If you were injured in a rear-end car crash, speak to a DuPage County rear-end car accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney could speak to the insurance companies on your behalf and help determine liability, so you can effectively pursue the full amount of compensation you may be entitled to.