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Rear-End Car Accidents

Knoxville Lawyer Dedicated to Assisting Motor Vehicle Collision Victims

Rear-end car accidents happen when two cars are moving in the same direction, and the vehicle that is following rams into the vehicle that is in front. This is a common type of accident in stop and go traffic, but it can also happen on the highway at high speeds. Often, the rear car is at fault for driving too closely or not paying attention. Sometimes a rear-end accident results in a chain reaction collision involving multiple vehicles. If you have been hurt in a car accident in Knoxville or the surrounding communities, attorney Mark Hartsoe may be able to represent you in a lawsuit for compensation.

Holding a Careless Driver Accountable after a Rear-End Accident

A critical component of personal injury cases in Tennessee is determining fault. In some cases, fault is straightforward because one driver admits that he or she ran a red light, or there may be multiple witnesses to the running of the red light. In other cases, proving fault can be more challenging, and it may be helpful to have a police report.

In most cases, rear-end collisions are considered the fault of the rear driver who is following, even if the front driver brakes suddenly. Generally, it is imperative for a driver following another car to leave a reasonable distance between cars so that the following car can stop without rear-ending the front car. Under Tennessee Code Annotated section 55-8-124, it is illegal to follow another car more closely than is reasonable based on road conditions and the speed of traffic.

However, there are exceptions to the general understanding that the rear driver is at fault. For example, if the front driver's brake lights are out in rain or at night, he or she may be partly or fully responsible for the accident. Similarly, if a driver in front of you merges into your lane, cutting you off, he or she may be responsible for the crash. In some cases, both drivers (or even a third party like a mechanic) may share the fault for an accident. As a plaintiff, it can help to have a police report to establish fault for a rear-end collision, particularly if the police cite a traffic violation.

Tennessee follows the doctrine of modified comparative fault. This means that the jury can evaluate the victim’s damages and allocate fault to all parties whose negligence may have caused or contributed to the harm. The injured person may only recover compensation if the jury allocates 49% or less of the fault to him or her. The damages award then would be reduced in proportion to the victim’s degree of responsibility.

Sometimes the injuries in a collision can take some time, even up to a year, to fully manifest. For example, soft tissue damage and L4-L5 disc injuries are very common in rear-end accidents. Other common injuries include rotator cuff tears, neck pain, and whiplash. In Tennessee, you can potentially recover a wide range of compensatory damages for a rear-end accident. These may include both economic and noneconomic damages, such as lost wages, medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and pain and suffering.

Discuss Your Car Crash Case with a Knoxville Attorney

Motor vehicle collision lawyer Mark Hartsoe is committed to assisting Knoxville residents and other accident victims throughout Tennessee in seeking compensation for their harm. Sometimes insurers try to persuade injured individuals to take less than what their case is worth. It may be crucial to have an ally who understands the law and can negotiate with insurers on your behalf, or take your case to trial. For a free initial consultation, call 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form.


Client Reviews
★★★★★
I was on my way to Atlanta and a huge truck rear-ended me and knocked me off the side of the road. I was scared. Didn’t know what to do. I tried working with the insurance company. They are just difficult to work with. I had to call somebody to take care of me. So, My brother told me to call Mark Hartsoe. As soon as I called Mark Hartsoe, he let me know real quick that everything was going to be okay and that he would take care of everything. And, he did. He got me a great settlement. He took the worry off of me. Mickey Anderson
★★★★★
I was hit coming home late at night by a drunk driver who took off. And the next day I was able to track down his vehicle and get the state police involved. At that point, a family friend recommended that I talk to Mark Hartsoe. Pretty much at that point, Mark handled the police, the insurance company and the guy who hit me. Settled with the actual person that hit me. Outside of that, everything came out great. Did not have to go to court. Got a great settlement. Got my car replaced. Got a check. Mark Hartsoe is my lawyer. Nate Holder
★★★★★
I was involved in a motorcycle accident. It was a head-on collision. I broke my arm, injured by knee. I was out of work for a long time and had medical bills, other expenses. A personal friend handed me a card for Mark Hartsoe. I called Mark Hartsoe from the side of the road and he took care of everything. My case was settled out of court. I received a great settlement. Bike was totaled, motorcycle was replaced. It was easy, painless. About as painless as something like this can be. This is why my lawyer is Mark Hartsoe. John Lusinger
★★★★★
I wanted to thank you for the excellent representation and your ability to handle the situation so well with such compassion and strength. We appreciate all of your help, concern and for answering my many questions. It has been a difficult road to travel but when we come across people like you, it really helps to lighten the load. We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate what you’ve done and your ability to handle the situation so well. S. Carter
★★★★★
Thank you so much for all the work you did on our case. We received more than we expected. You were great through the whole time from the first meeting until the last. Thank you so very much. Sam & Judy Kachar
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