An International flatbed truck rear-ended a Chevy pickup on Highway 395 just south of Deer Park, Friday November 2, 2018. The passenger of the pickup was taken to the hospital with serious injuries while the drivers of both vehicles were treated at the scene and released.

According to police, the driver of the pickup slowed for a car making an illegal left turn when flatbed slammed into the him. Police also said that the flatbed was possibly following too close and was unable to stop in time.

Rear-End Collisions

According to the National Transportation Safety Board, the most common type of automobile accident is the rear-end collision, and it accounts for almost half of all collision in the United States killing around 1,700 people a year and injuring thousands of others.

Causes of Rear-End Collisions

The greatest factors in rear-end accidents are distracted driving and following too close, and many times both factors are involved. Speed is also a problem with rear-end collisions as the higher the speed of the vehicle, the longer time it takes to stop and the less time there is for the driver to react and avoid the accident.

Finding Fault in Rear-End Collisions

Generally, the fault of a rear-end collision is the driver hitting the other car. However, there are some exceptions that can make liablitly a bit difficult to determine. When it comes to liability for all car crashes, each driver has a duty to operate their vehicle in a reasonable manner given the road conditions and circumstances. Washington state is a comparative fault state which means that if the driver of the car that is rear-ended is at all at fault, then any injury awarded will be reduced.

Do I need an attorney if I’m Rear-Ended?

The answer is yes. With fault being almost always with the other driver, many victims of rear-end collisions feel that an attorney is not necessary. However, the insurance agents are paid to give the injured as little money as possible, and the law is not always straight forward when it comes to auto accidents.

You need to get an attorney that specializes in these types of cases to make sure the highly-paid defense lawyers and the insurance companies treat you fairly. Crary, Clark, Domanico, & Chuang, P.S., has experienced attorneys trained in the law dealing with drunk driving and personal injury. They can go toe-to-toe with the insurance companies and their lawyers to get you fair compensation for your injuries. Call them at (509) 926 4900 or send them a message.