Rear-End
Collision Lawyers

Rear End Accident Lawyers in Hamilton, Ontario

There is no doubt that one of the most common types of vehicle accidents is the rear-end accident. This is especially true in busy cities like Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville, Stoney Creek, Grimsby, St. Catharine’s, Ancaster and surrounding areas –  where there is a lot of slow-moving, stop-and-go traffic. Rear-end collisions normally happens when your motorcycle, car or truck is stopped and is hit by the vehicle behind you, most of the time because drivers are not paying attention or distracted.

Many, if not most rear-end collisions do not result in much property damage or injuries more than mild-whiplash.  However, some rear-end collisions can be devastating, especially if the driver behind you was moving at very high speed, you were on a motorcycle or the vehicle that hit you was over-sized. In these types of cases, high-impact crashes can result in terrible injuries to the neck (such as compression fractures), shoulders, rotator cuff, hands, arms and knees.

Rear-end car accidents can have a brutal effect on victims that suffer serious injuries, often leaving people permanently injured, unable to work, financially devastated, unable to take care of their home, unable to play with their kids and enjoy their lives like they once did. To make things worse, you will no doubt face the stress of dealing with your insurance company and the insurance company that insures the driver that hit you, who, will often wrongfully deny claims, deny liability and delay payments.

Rear-end car accident laws in Ontario

If you violently hit by the car behind you, is the accident automatically their fault?
The answer, more often than not, is yes. Normally the person that caused the rear-end crash will end up being charged with careless driving under the Ontario Highway Traffic Act.  Police officers have a duty to investigate a crash and if he or she believes that an Ontario driver has broken a driving law and may charge the offending driver with contravening the act. Remember – a Court does not need to prove intent, but rather that the offending driver committed the careless act.

The Ontario Fault Determination Rules also mandates provisions for automobiles travelling in the same direction and lane.  For example, the law states that you won’t be at fault if you are rear-ended while you are stopped, in forward motion, or turning left or right to enter a side road, private road or driveway.

Can you also be at fault if you were rear-ended? There is a possibility that, in certain situations, that you may be found to have contributed to the accident.  For example, you may be partially at fault for causing an accident if your brake lights or taillights were not working properly, especially if it is dark out.

You could also be at fault if you failed to reasonably move your car off the road if it was in a state of disrepair.  You could also be partially at fault if you decided to stop for no reason in an active traffic lane or put your car in reverse in an active lane or stop light. You could also partially be fault if you have been drinking, or if you were on a mobile device.

Our Hamilton car accident lawyers will handle every important aspect of your car accident case, and you will always know the status of your case – even if you are partially at fault. Our goal is simple: to achieve the best possible results for each of our clients in every case we handle – and leave nothing leaving nothing to chance. We are practical, reasonable and respected Hamilton Car Accident Lawyers.

Rear end accident fractures and injuries

If you have been seriously injured in a rear-end collision, there is no doubt that your day-to-day life can suddenly become very catastrophically difficult.  Your injuries may stop you from getting back to work, enjoying your life, sleeping through the night, spending quality time with your loved ones, staying fit, or participating in your regular social and recreational activities.   You also may be overwhelmed with psychological, emotional, physical and financial burdens.

The collision dynamics of rear-end crashes are complicated. Generally, the motor vehicle that was struck experiences a sudden increase in momentum while the striking motor vehicle experience a loss of momentum.  Speed is often a major issue in rear-end motor vehicles accidents and can contribute to the severity of injuries that victims suffer when involved hit from behind.

For example, if you are rear-ended while on a motorcycle, being “open” exposes you to a very high risk of injury or even death.   Riders lucky enough to survive after being thrown from their bikes may suffer extremely serious injures such as:

• Wrongful Death – which could happen instantly or caused by the eventual complications from serious injuries.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – either complete or incomplete, resulting in paraplegia (Paralysis affects all or some of the trunk, legs and pelvic organs) or tetraplegia (or quadriplegia, meaning paralysis of extremities, trunk and pelvic organs)
• Brain Injury – Traumatic brain injuries are often caused in violent rear-end collisions involving motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians and cars. Brain injuries contribute to a considerable number of deaths and permanent disability in Ontario. A TBI can affect a victim’s memory, cause profound confusion, personality issues, slurred speech, cognitive thinking issues, and motor skill deficiency.  Many brain injury victims are not able to get back to work and/or requiring attendant care and frequent medical attention or rehabilitation.
• Fractured Bones – a violent and crushing rear-end accident involving a commercial truck, a large semi or 18 wheelercan cause some of the most severe and catastrophic injuries seen on the roads today. The amount of power displaced when an 18-wheeler comes into contact with a motorcycle or smaller vehicle is enough to bring devastation to a rider or all of a car’s occupants. When this happens, victims often suffer serious orthopedic fractures that require open reduction internal fixation with plates and screws, often requiring months or years of physical therapy. Many victims go onto develop serious arthritis issues if the fracture is near a joint.

Contact an accident lawyer in Hamilton

Lalande Personal Injury Lawyers represents victims that have suffered life changing injuries in rear-end accidents.  We have access to the best experts and rehabilitation therapists that you need to help you recover from your physical, psychological and emotional losses following a rear-end crash.

Remember, you only have one chance to seek appropriate compensation for your car accident injuries.  Our goal is simple: to attain the greatest results possible for each of our clients in every case we handle – and leave nothing leaving nothing to chance.  As Hamilton rear-end car accident lawyers, we recognize the challenges that our clients face and are here to not only provide support and guidance – but assertive legal representation.

We will never ask you for money upfront

If you have been seriously hurt in a rear-end car accident that is caused by someone else, you are probably suffering financial losses because of your injuries. The last thing you need is to pay for legal advice.  We appreciate that seeking legal help can be overwhelming, particularly when it comes to how much it will cost. Even if you want to pursue legal action against the person that caused your injuries, you may fear hiring a Hamilton car accident lawyer will cost too much.

It is important to understand that:

• Personal Injury consultations are free. You do not pay us to talk to us.
• If we agree to take on your personal injury case, we will never ask you for money upfront.
• There are no upfront legal fees for you to pay to get your case started. Your legal fees are paid upon the successful conclusion of your case.

Connect with a personal injury lawyer in Hamilton

Our Hamilton rear-end car accident lawyers have wide-ranging experience in representing seriously injured victims who have suffered serious and catastrophic injuries. If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a rear-end car accident, please do not hesitate to contact us.

We would be please to go over the details of your accident with you and help you determine your best options, assist in hiring your occupational therapists, help with your hospital discharge and ensure your insurance company is paying your medical bills and attendant care benefits on time.

We are here to protect you and your family every step of the way. Fill out a contact form or call us today. We are easy to talk to and understanding of the worries and concerns you may have. Please fill in a contact form or call us 24/7 at (905) 333-8888 or at 1-833-4-LAWFIRM.