Pittsburgh
Rear-End Collisions Lawyer

On This Page

1. Pittsburgh Rear-End Collision Accident Attorneys
2. The Frequency of Rear-End Collisions
3. Liability in a Rear-End Collision
4. How We Prove Who Is Liable in a Rear-End Collision
5. Damages in Rear-End Collisions
6. How to Get Help for Your Pittsburgh Rear-End Collision Injury Claim

REVIEWED BY

C. William Kenny

December 12, 2023

Board certified by National Board of Trial Advocacy

Pittsburgh Rear-End Collision Accident Attorneys

A rear-end collision can cause significant injuries. A Pittsburgh rear-end collisions lawyer can help you hold the negligent party responsible for your losses. Our Pittsburgh car accident lawyers can talk to you, investigate your case, negotiate directly with the insurance company, and advocate on your behalf.

Our Pittsburgh personal injury lawyers handle your legal matters while you focus on getting better. If you have any questions or concerns regarding the legal process, reach out to our team today. If we take your case, your lawyer can advise you on your financial recovery options as they become available.

At Berger and Green, we work hard to deliver caring, responsive legal services to our clients. You can call us today at (412) 661-1400 for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation.

The Frequency of Rear-End Collisions

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that rear-end collisions account for nearly half of all two-vehicle accidents.

The Washington Post reports that there are well over a million and a half rear-end collisions every year in the United States. The publication notes that the vast majority of these cases are the result of distracted driving.

Every year, thousands of people, both drivers and passengers alike, suffer injuries in these accidents. If you suffered injuries from a rear-end collision in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, consider how a lawyer could represent your legal interests.

Liability in a Rear-End Collision

One might assume that the car in the back is always at fault in a rear-end collision, but that is not always the case.

Here is a brief overview of the parties who can be at fault in these crashes:

• The driver in the back (the following driver). When someone is tailgating, driving too fast, or inattentive, they might not have time to stop before hitting the car in front of them.
• The driver in front. If the driver in the lead car caused the accident because of reckless behavior, they can be deemed financially liable for your losses. Sometimes, the driver in front can cause a rear-end accident if they unexpectedly slam on their brakes. The driver in front can also cause or contribute to an accident if they failed to maintain their vehicle (e.g., suffered a breakdown, had a burnt-out taillight).
• A government entity. Some government departments are responsible for maintaining certain roads. Some street defects (like potholes) can lead to an accident. When a motorist encounters adverse road conditions without warning, it can be a reflex to brake quickly. Sudden changes in the speed of a car can lead to rear-end collisions.

You do not have to figure out who is responsible for the accident on your own. A Pittsburgh rear-end collisions lawyer can evaluate your situation and identify potentially liable parties. You can call us today at (412) 661-1400 for a free case review.

How We Prove Who Is Liable in a Rear-End Collision

We cannot pursue compensation from the other driver in a rear-end collision without sufficient evidence.

Your Pittsburgh rear-end collisions lawyer will have to prove these elements to hold another party liable for your losses:

• Duty of care. We must establish that the other party owed you a duty of care. Everyone who operates a motor vehicle on a public street has the responsibility to exercise reasonable caution.
• Breach of duty. It is negligence when a person’s conduct does not measure up to the legal standard. Let’s say that the driver behind you was texting while driving. Distracted driving is an example of negligent behavior while behind the wheel.
• Causation. Your lawyer must prove that careless conduct caused the accident in which you got hurt. For example, if the driver in back struck your car because they were texting, your lawyer must establish that the texting was the direct cause of the accident.
• Damages. You must have losses to succeed in a rear-end collision injury case. Physical harm satisfies this element. If the accident did not result in any financial losses, you are unlikely to qualify for compensation.

Once we prove these four factors, we can go after monetary damages on your behalf.

Damages in Rear-End Collisions

Because every case is unique, we cannot say how much compensation you are eligible for. We will need to talk to you and investigate your situation first before we can calculate the amount of your collision-related expenses.

Here are some examples of damages we have won for our clients:

• Lost wages, which compensates claimants for their missed time from work
• Diminished earning capacity, if you can no longer make as much money as you did before the accident because of your injuries
• Medical expenses, for the reasonable cost of the treatment you needed for your injuries
• Long-term care, if your injuries leave you in need of daily assistance with medical treatments and personal care
• Future medical treatments, if your doctor anticipates that you will need additional procedures to treat your injuries
• Pain and suffering for the physical discomfort and psychological stress you experienced because of the accident
• Other noneconomic damages, like disfigurement, disability, and loss of enjoyment of life

Depending on the facts of your case, you might be able to seek compensation for additional damages from the negligent party.

How to Get Help for Your Pittsburgh Rear-End Collision Injury Claim

Our mission at Berger and Green is to help people who get hurt due to the carelessness of others. If you got injured in a rear-end collision in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, a lawyer at Berger and Green can help.

You will not have to pay any upfront legal fees to get our help because we handle car accident cases on a contingency-fee-basis. This means that we get paid out of the settlement or court award at the end of the matter.

The initial consultation is at no charge, and there is no obligation. You can call us today at (412) 661-1400 to get started.