It probably happened with hardly any warning: a flash of headlights or a screech of brakes, and you were suddenly slammed back in your seat by another car colliding with yours. Whether in a crowded parking lot or a busy highway, getting rear-ended can be a traumatic experience, causing painful injuries and other losses.
If you were recently involved in a rear-end car accident in Norristown, you may have questions about your legal right to file a lawsuit. The winning attorneys at Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers can answer your questions, help you build a strong case for compensation, and handle every aspect of your claim while you focus on healing.
How Fault Works in Rear-End Car Crash Cases
Many assume that the rearmost driver in a rear-end car accident is always the one who’s legally at fault for the crash—after all, they’re the one who plowed into another car, not the other way around. Although the rearmost driver is usually at fault, that doesn’t mean courts will automatically side with you when filing a lawsuit against a driver who rear-ended you.
Like any other auto accident claim, you and your Norristown lawyer must prove that the other driver is at fault for the rear-end collision. Your local attorney can gather evidence to show that they did something specifically reckless or careless behind the wheel—for example, speeding, driving drunk, or driving while distracted.
You may also need to be ready to fight accusations that you were partly to blame for the wreck because of something negligent you did behind the wheel. If a court decides you hold some of the blame for the crash, you may have your final damage award reduced in proportion to your share of total fault. If you’re found mostly to blame for your wreck, you may even be barred from getting paid anything at all. Our well-known Norristown lawyers can prevent this outcome and work to get the compensation you deserve after a rear-end car crash.
Deadlines for Rear-End Auto Accident Claims in Norristown
Another possible obstacle to recovery for a rear-end auto accident in Norristown is the “statute of limitations.” This is the deadline set by Pennsylvania law for personal injury lawsuits. With very few exceptions, anyone who gets hurt due to another person’s negligence has a maximum of two years after a crash to begin a civil claim for that incident.
Failing to build a strong claim and formally file before this time limit expires will almost certainly leave you without any way of getting compensated for your losses. Promptly contacting an experienced lawyer at our firm after getting rear-ended can be crucial to preserving your rights.
Talk to a Norristown Attorney After a Rear-End Car Accident
Being rear-ended can significantly affect your daily life and potentially leave you with long-term injuries and losses. Fortunately, you may be able to take legal action against whoever hit you and hold them financially liable for the harm they’ve unfairly caused you.
Guidance from a well-known car accident lawyer can make all the difference in getting a good case result for a rear-end car accident in Norristown. Call Ostroff Godshall Injury and Accident Lawyers today to discuss your options in a free, no-obligation consultation.
