Best Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Houston, Texas

Best Rear-End Accident Lawyers in Houston, Texas

Car accidents can occur nearly anywhere that vehicles share a common space. As such, there are seemingly countless accident scenarios a person could experience. That being said, some types of accidents seem to be much more common than others. And the most frequent type of crash, according to federal data, is the rear-end collision.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration cites data that rear-end collisions account for approximately 29 percent of all traffic accidents in the United States, or about 1.7 million accidents each year. All told, rear-end accidents result in nearly half a million injuries and 1,700 deaths annually.

If you’ve been injured in a rear-end collision, you likely have many questions about your legal options. As you can’t afford to trust your case to just anyone, you may understandably be wondering, “Who is the best auto accident lawyer in Houston, TX?” Know that when you call to schedule a free case evaluation with any of the attorneys at John K. Zaid & Associates, you will be working with one of the best rear-end accident lawyers in Houston, Texas. 

Is The Trailing Car Always At Fault?

Rear-end accidents happen everywhere – on highways, at intersections and in parking lots, just to name a few examples. And in most cases, it is assumed that the driver at fault for the accident is the one in the trailing car. After all, it is far easier for the rear driver to prevent a collision than it would be for the driver in front.

In most cases, the trailing driver is at fault. But there are some notable exceptions. The lead driver may actually be at fault in cases where:

•         The lead driver slams on his brakes suddenly for no discernable reason
•         The lead driver slows down to make a turn but then fails to do so at the last moment
•         The lead driver quickly or dangerously changes lanes and cuts off the driver behind him
•         The lead driver pulls out into traffic (from a parking lot, perhaps) without paying attention to the presence or speed of vehicles coming up behind him
•         The lead driver’s brake lights don’t work and the rear driver cannot seem him brake
•         The lead driver suffers mechanical problems (like a flat tire) but doesn’t driver onto the shoulder of the road in a timely manner

This is not an exhaustive list, but it at least demonstrates that fault isn’t automatic in a rear-end collision. Either the leading or trailing car could be at fault, or both drivers could share some blame for the crash. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to speak with some of the best rear-end accident lawyers in Houston, Texas before you make any assumptions about fault in your case. Any number of factors could lead to this kind of collision and therefore, fault may not rest with you but with the other driver involved in your accident. 

Compensation When Fault is Shared

If you were involved in a rear-end accident that was primarily caused by another driver, can you still sue if you were partially to blame? Thankfully, the answer is yes. Texas recognizes a legal theory known as “modified comparative negligence. In short, this means that you can pursue compensation as long as you were less than 50 percent at fault for the crash. If you win your case, your jury award will simply be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

Contact The Firm To Learn More

If you have questions about your own rear-end accident or want to discuss your legal options, contact our firm to arrange an initial consultation today with some of the best rear-end accident lawyers in Houston, Texas. We take great pride in our work and we look forward to speaking with you about your legal needs at this time.