Santa Rosa Rear-End Accidents

Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident, accounting for about 29 percent of all collisions across the United States annually. According to state crash data, Santa Rosa, California, reports a higher-than-average rate of rear-end collisions. In 2023, there were 178 rear-end car accidents in the city, which represented 34.5 percent of all crashes. 

If you’ve been rear-ended in Santa Rosa or have rear-ended someone else because they were negligent, it’s important to explore your legal rights by calling Singleton Schreiber. You may have several options for recovering compensation, and our Santa Rosa, CA car accident lawyers are uniquely prepared to help you maximize your financial recovery.

We’re award-winning local litigators with the backing of national resources. Our fearless advocacy has helped crash victims and families secure over $2.5 Billion in damages. Now, we’re ready to help you take a stand and fight for the top-dollar compensation you deserve after a Santa Rosa rear-end accident, too.

Contact our law office in Santa Rosa to set a time for a no-charge case evaluation today.

What Causes Most Rear-End Collisions?

Statistically speaking, there’s a rear-end car accident in Santa Rosa, CA, every other day. Why do they happen so frequently, and what causes them?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 45 percent of rear-end collisions occur when the lead vehicle is stopped in traffic. Another 30 percent of rear-end crashes happen as the lead vehicle is slowing down in traffic, perhaps due to congestion, approaching a stop sign, or a traffic signal changing from green to yellow.

Research indicates that these are the most common causes of these rear-end crashes:

Driver Distraction

Distracted driving contributes to about 26 percent of rear-end collisions in the United States. Whether a driver is texting, talking on the phone, daydreaming, or otherwise distracted from the task of driving, they’ll suffer from reduced reaction times. When the lead vehicle stops - either due to expected changes in traffic or unexpected circumstances - the distracted driver in the rear vehicle may not notice or lack the time necessary to brake safely and avoid a collision.

Following Too Closely

Tailgating, or following the vehicle in front of you too closely, contributes to roughly one out of three rear-end collisions every year. The closer someone is to your rear bumper while driving, the less time and space they’ll have to hit the brakes and stop their vehicle when you slow down or stop your vehicle. Some research suggests that leaving anything less than a “3-second” buffer between vehicles can set the stage for a rear-end crash, especially if the vehicles are traveling at high rates of speed. 

Driver Intoxication or Fatigue

Drivers who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or those who are fatigued, will suffer from reduced reaction times and impaired cognitive function. If the car traveling in front of them slows or stops, they may not be able to brake safely or swerve to avoid a collision.

Is the Rear Driver Always At Fault?

While the rear driver may typically bear responsibility for a rear-end collision, it’s not always the case. There are times when the driver of the leading vehicle or another party might share some or all of the blame for a rear-end crash in Santa Rosa.

The driver of the leading vehicle might bear responsibility if they:

• Brake check the vehicle following them
• Cut off another vehicle in traffic and hit the brakes
• Get distracted and don’t notice that a traffic signal has turned from red to green
• Changes lanes without checking to see if it’s safe

Alternatively, a third party could be liable for a rear-end collision if their negligence contributes to the wreck. For instance, let’s say a motorist speeds through a red light at an intersection, causing the driver entering the intersection perpendicularly to slam on their brakes and get struck from behind by the vehicle following them.

Similarly, a vehicle manufacturer might be liable for a rear-end collision, for instance, if the brakes on the rear vehicle failed, which prevented them from coming to a stop before slamming into the vehicle in front of them. 

In California, liability is proportionate to fault. The more someone contributes to a rear-end collision, the more they’ll bear responsibility for resulting damages. Liability can extend to crash victims, too. If you get hurt in a rear-end collision and are assigned blame, your ability to recover compensation will be reduced proportionately to fault. So, you could expect to recover 80 percent of the value of your personal injury claim if you were assigned 20 percent of the blame for a recent rear-end crash in Santa Rosa.

Whiplash is a Common Rear-End Crash Injury in Santa Rosa

Rear-end car accidents are known for causing a wide range of painful and debilitating injuries, including perhaps most notably, whiplash. 

Whiplash is a soft tissue injury in the neck that can affect ligaments, tendons, the spinal cord, bone, and muscle. This type of injury is common in rear-end collisions because of the rapid back-and-forth movement occupants of the leading vehicle tend to experience when they’re struck from behind. The force of being struck in the rear causes their bodies to move forward. However, since the torso is restrained by a seatbelt, it’s typically the victim’s head that moves forward forcefully and, once it’s overextended, whips back rapidly. 

Whiplash, which is often a delayed injury after a car accident, can cause chronic pain, limit a victim’s ability to work and interfere with normal day-to-day activities. So, while it might often be considered a moderate injury, it can end up being quite costly.

Call For Help After a Rear-End Car Accident in Santa Rosa

Whether you’ve suffered whiplash, a concussion, broken bones, nerve damage, or other serious injuries, you’ll only have a short window of time in which to seek compensation from the driver who caused your rear-end crash (or their insurance company). California typically caps rear-end accident claims at two years.

So, don’t hesitate to call Singleton Schreiber for help as soon as you can after a rear-end car accident in Sonoma County. Our Santa Rosa personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience you’ll need to make the most of your fight for compensation.

We’ve secured more than $2.5 Billion for our clients. Today, we’re ready to be the local lawyers and offer the national resources you deserve to get your life back on track, too. Contact our Santa Rosa law office to arrange your free consultation now.