What Is the Average Payout for a Rear-End Collision?

Often, the victims of rear-end car accidents are unable to see the collision coming. Because of this, they do not have an opportunity to swerve or brace for impact. 

This type of motor vehicle accident happens when one car collides with the rear of another vehicle. Typically, this occurs because the rear driver is unable to stop in time to avoid impact. 

There are many common causes of rear-end motor vehicle accidents. Some of the most common conditions that result in this type of crash are: 

• The rear driver is distracted
• The rear driver is tailgating
• The front driver stops quickly to avoid an object
• The front driver hits something
• Inclement weather conditions, such as ice or snow
• Cracked or poorly maintained roadways 

Whether you’re the driver in the front or rear, a rear-end collision is dangerous, and these accidents often result in severe or catastrophic injuries. 

The force and impact of a rear-end collision often cause significant damage to the vehicles and people involved. But what is the average payout for a rear-end collision? It can depend greatly on the severity of the damage, so accident victims should speak with a legal professional about pursuing the financial compensation to which they are entitled.

Rear-end collisions can lead to many types of personal injuries, the severity of which can depend on several elements, including: 

• The types of vehicles involved
• The speed at which the collision took place
• The angle of the impact
• The safety features used by drivers and passengers 

In the aftermath of any motor vehicle collision, it is important to contact medical professionals if anyone is injured. This is important for the health and safety of those involved. It is also critical for the success of any resulting legal claim. 

Some of the most common kinds of rear-end crash injuries are: 

• Broken bones and fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Burns
• Disfigurement and facial scarring
• Spinal cord injuries
• Soft tissue damage 

One of the most common personal injuries that crash victims experience is called whiplash. This is when a person’s neck forcefully moves back and forth, often resulting in severe soft tissue damage. 

This injury is called whiplash because the person’s back and neck move like a cracking whip. There are many symptoms that whiplash victims may experience, such as: 

• Neck stiffness
• Radiating pain in the neck, especially when moving
• Persistent headaches
• Blurry vision
• Difficulty sleeping
• Lack of concentration
• Memory issues
• Decreased range of motion
• Pain in the upper back, shoulders, and arms
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Fatigue
• Numbness and tingling in the arms or hands 

If you suffer from any of these symptoms after a rear-end accident, seek a medical assessment. A swift and accurate diagnosis will help you pursue a successful personal injury claim. 

No matter the nature or severity of your injury, Morgan & Morgan can handle your case.

Most rear-end collision payouts can be determined as the sum of both special and general damages. “Damages” is the legal term for payments provided to the victim by the at-fault party. 

Both special and general damages are paid to compensate the injured party for their losses. These types of damages cover different types of harm.

Understanding Special Damages

This type of compensatory payment makes up for the money the victim lost because of the accident. After all, recovering from a motor vehicle collision is very expensive, and this is particularly true if the crash results in a physical injury. 

Some of the common monetary costs resulting from a collision are: 

• Medical bills and expenses
• Lost wages and missed income from the inability to work
• Decrease in earning capacity long-term
• Vehicular repair or replacement
• Other associated property damage
• Expected future medical care costs 

Most claimants undervalue the special damages in their case and, as a result, settle for less than they should. But the skilled attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will review the receipts, bills, and invoices related to your collision and fight for every penny in special damages that you are owed. You should not be left with the financial burden of a rear-end accident another person caused.

Understanding General Damages

General damages are paid to compensate the claimant for the personal, emotional, and physical harm they experienced. Due to their intangible nature, it is much more difficult to accurately quantify general damages in a rear-end collision case. 

For these losses, as you can imagine, there are usually no financial records to review. As such, a seasoned attorney will assess the circumstances of the accident and determine the maximum amount of applicable general damages. 

Some of the most common losses for which general damages are meant to compensate include: 

• Physical pain and suffering
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Inability to perform tasks or engage in recreational activities
• Emotional anguish and distress
• Anxiety disorders, depression, and panic attacks
• Embarrassment or negative emotional outcomes
• Lowered quality of life 

Uncooperative insurance companies usually attempt to downplay the value of these intangible losses. This allows them to pay as little as possible on rear-end accident claims. 

Do not let greedy corporate representatives undermine the value of your case. When you hire one of the exceptional attorneys at Morgan and Morgan, you can rest assured that your legal claim is in the most capable hands. 

Our team has decades of experience calculating the value of intangible losses in car accident cases. We know how to counter the negotiation tactics that tightfisted insurance adjusters use. You should never attempt to negotiate your claim without the guidance of an experienced attorney. So what is the average payout for a rear-end collision? Let’s find out.

As you can see, there is a wide range of unique factors that affect each car accident claim. As such, there is no single value that is applicable in all rear-end collision cases. Depending on the severity of your case, the payout could, for example, be between $10,000 and $50,000.

Generally, the payout for a rear-end crash case can be determined by finding the sum of the general and special damages. However, in rare cases, the plaintiff may additionally be awarded punitive damages.

Understanding Punitive Damages

This type of damage is awarded to claimants by a judge or jury. However, these damages are not intended to compensate for the victim’s direct or indirect losses. 

Instead, punitive damages are meant to punish the person who is responsible for the accident or injury. This type of payment is only awarded to plaintiffs in cases involving extreme recklessness or gross negligence.  

Most car accident claims do not result in punitive damages. Still, it is important to consult with an attorney about the nature of the opposing party’s negligence.

It is complicated to accurately determine the monetary value of a victim’s pain and suffering, which is why it’s so hard to answer the question “what is the average payout for a rear-end collision?” Because there are no objective monetary measures, it can be difficult to prove that you are owed damages for this type of harm. 

There are no scientific or medical measures that can quantify a victim’s level of discomfort. An attorney will use the answers to the following questions to prove that you are owed compensation for your pain and suffering: 

• What is the nature and severity of the physical injuries?
• How do the injuries affect the claimant’s daily life?
• How do the injuries affect the claimant’s ability to earn income?
• What personal and relational effects do the injuries have?
• What are the long-term implications of the physical damage? 

Showing the physical and emotional impact of a car accident injury can help to secure maximum financial recovery in a legal case. At Morgan and Morgan, our team will fight diligently for every penny you are owed.

When you secure the services of Morgan & Morgan, we will oversee every portion of your legal claim. 

Our compassionate team knows that accident and injury victims have enough problems; you should not have to manage the complexities of a claim or lawsuit on top of them. Victims need to focus on their own health and well-being. 

When you hire one of our attorneys, we will handle these elements of your civil claim: 

• Securing relevant evidence
• Determining which laws apply to the case
• Obtaining police accident reports and medical records
• Speaking with eyewitnesses
• Consulting with experts and collision specialists
• Negotiating skillfully on your behalf
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary 

Navigating the legal process successfully requires extensive knowledge and honed skills. Thankfully, the team at Morgan & Morgan has been fighting for the rights of accident and injury victims since our firm’s founding in 1988.

For the most reliable legal representation in the nation, reach out to Morgan & Morgan. Following a rear-end collision, you may be confused about your legal rights and options. 

Schedule a free legal consultation with our compassionate legal professionals by completing the easy-to-use online form. Let our car accident attorneys fight diligently on your behalf.