Rear-end car accidents in California

What is the California Law on Rear-End Car Accidents?

If you were injured in a rear-end accident in California, keep reading to learn about your rights and steps you need take after the accident. California, with the large population and lack of public transportation, has one of the highest traffic volumes in the United States. This leads to many rear-end accidents.

There are two basic statutes that cover rear-end accidents. Usually the car in the rear is found at fault in these accidents. Not always, but usually.

1. California's Basic Speed Law (CVC 22350). This law states,"No person shall drive a vehicle upon a highway at a speed greater than is reasonable or prudent having due regard for weather, visibility, the traffic on, and the surface and width of, the highway, and in no event at a speed which endangers the safety of persons or property."
   Basically, the car in the rear was driving too fast because they hit you. If you were stopped, their speed should have been zero. If you were moving, their speed should have been the same speed as you, or slower.
2. Following Too Closely (CVC 21703). This law states, "The driver of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle and the traffic upon, and the condition of, the roadway." In essence, the person who rear-ended you was following too closely. This is obvious because they hit you.

Common injuries that occur in rear-end San Diego accidents

All sorts of injuries can result from rear-end accidents. Every accident is unique, everyone's body is different. Then you factor in different vehicles involved, speeds, body position, etc. there are a lot of variables so you will see a lot of different injuries.

The most common injury is of course the classic whiplash. This is a common term for neck injuries cause by your head whipping back and forth. Whiplash after a rear-end accident can be caused by muscle strains and tearing of soft tissues. It can also involve  more serious injuries such as nerve damage, and disc damage.

More serious injuries after rear-end car accidents can be concussions, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, disc/vertebra injuries. Symptoms may include pain radiating down the body, numbness, tingling, headaches, and more.

Treatment can range from physical therapy, to pain management, all the way to surgery.

If you were injured because someone rear-ended your vehicle, give us a call at (888) 320-2058 to schedule for your free, no-obligation case review.