Worcester Rear-End Accident Lawyer

Dealing With Whiplash, TBI, or Another Injury? We Can Help

Rear-end accidents in Worcester might not seem like a big deal – until you’re involved in one. Maybe a driver hit you from behind on Foster Street. Or maybe you’re suffering from whiplash or another type of painful injury due to a rear-end crash on I-290 or Shrewsbury Street.

Regardless of the circumstances of your crash, you must act quickly to protect your health and your legal rights. Otherwise, you could be left with a mountain of bills for medical care and other accident-related expenses, even if you didn’t do anything wrong.

Our skilled Worcester rear-end accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone know what’s at stake. Our attorneys have recovered more than $1 billion for car accident victims and others in Worcester and communities throughout Massachusetts.

What Are the Common Factors of Rear-End Collisions?

Rear-end accidents are a frequent sight on Worcester’s congested roadways, especially during rush hour on Commercial Street, Kelley Square, or Park Avenue. While some people dismiss these crashes as “fender benders,” the reality is that they can be serious accidents that cause severe injuries.

Common reasons why rear-end collisions occur in Worcester include:

Distracted driving – Using a phone, texting while driving, looking up directions on GPS, or eating while driving takes a driver’s eyes off the road, often just long enough to cause a rear-end crash at a busy Worcester intersection.
Speeding – Excessive speed on highways like I-190 or Route 146 makes it nearly impossible for drivers to slow down in time when traffic suddenly stops.
Tailgating – Following too closely on crowded roads such as Main Street or Highland Street leaves drivers with no margin for error when vehicles slow down.
Driving under the influence – Alcohol and drugs reduce reaction time and judgment, making impaired drivers more likely to slam into another vehicle, particularly during late-night hours on Foster Street or another busy boulevard.
Fatigue – Tired drivers, especially shift workers and long-distance commuters, may nod off or have delayed reactions, leading to serious rear-end collisions on Worcester’s highways and local streets.

What is the Most Common Injury in a Rear-End Collision?

Rear-end collisions often cause injuries that may not be immediately visible but can still have a lasting impact. The sudden jolt of a crash puts extreme stress on the neck, back, and head, which can result in painful conditions requiring weeks or months of medical care.

Even rear-end crashes at lower speeds can leave victims with serious, painful injuries that last weeks or months. Common injuries caused by rear-end collisions in Worcester include:

Whiplash – One of the most frequent injuries, whiplash happens when the neck is violently whipped forward and backward, straining muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
Concussions and head injuries – A sudden blow to the head or violent shaking of the brain can cause concussions, leading to dizziness, memory problems, or sensitivity to light and sound.
Back injuries – Herniated discs, spinal fractures, or soft tissue damage in the back are common and may result in long-term mobility issues or chronic pain.
Chest and shoulder injuries – The force of the seatbelt or impact against the steering wheel can cause bruising, broken ribs, or damage to the shoulder joint.
Knee and leg injuries – Passengers often strike the dashboard during impact, which can lead to fractures, torn ligaments, or other serious leg injuries.

These injuries can have life-altering effects, from limiting physical movement to causing ongoing pain that interferes with daily activities.

The cost of medical treatment, physical therapy, and time away from work can quickly add up, making it crucial to understand your legal rights.

What Are the Warning Signs of an Injury After a Rear-End Crash?

Not all rear-end accident injuries are obvious right away. In fact, many victims walk away from the crash scene feeling fine, only to develop pain or other delayed symptoms hours or days later.

Common symptoms of a serious rear-end accident injury include:

Neck stiffness and reduced range of motion – Even mild stiffness may point to whiplash or more serious spinal problems.
Headaches or dizziness – These can indicate a concussion or traumatic brain injury that requires immediate medical evaluation.
Back pain – Pain that develops in the days following an accident can signal herniated discs or spinal injuries.
Numbness or tingling in limbs – This may suggest nerve damage related to spinal trauma.
Abdominal pain or bruising – These symptoms can be a sign of internal bleeding or organ damage caused by the seatbelt or crash impact.

Pay close attention to these warning signs and seek medical attention immediately. If necessary, go to Saint Vincent Hospital or another Worcester medical facility with an emergency room. Your health could be at risk due to a life-threatening rear-end accident injury.

What To Do After a Rear-End Accident in Worcester

Call law enforcement right away – Police reports provide key evidence when determining fault.
Ask police to respond – If you or anyone else sustained a serious injury, ask the Worcester Police Department or another law enforcement agency to respond to your crash.
Seek medical attention – A prompt exam documents your injuries and helps connect them directly to the crash. If necessary, ask the police to send an ambulance to your crash site.
Take photos of the scene – Pictures of vehicle damage, skid marks, and traffic signs help strengthen your claim.
Get witness information – If someone saw your accident, ask for their full name and phone number so investigators can contact them.
Exchange information – Gathering the other driver’s details ensures you can move forward with insurance and legal claims.
Don’t discuss your accident – Once you exchange information with the other driver, don’t talk about your crash. Anything you say could later be used to deny your rear-end accident claim.
Contact a rear-end accident lawyer – A lawyer familiar with Massachusetts car accident law can guide you through the process from the start.

Taking these steps immediately not only protects your health but also builds the foundation for a stronger accident claim. Insurance adjusters often move fast to minimize payouts, but having evidence and medical documentation on your side can make a big difference in the outcome of your case.

How Much is My Claim Worth?

Every rear-end accident is different, which means the value of your case will often depend on many different factors. In particular, the severity of your injuries and the length of your recovery can influence how much your injury claim is worth – perhaps thousands of dollars or significantly more.

The bottom line is you should be fairly compensated for all your accident expenses, now and in the future. Such expenses can include:

Medical bills – You can seek compensation for hospital bills, doctor visits, surgery, medication, and long-term treatment like physical therapy.
Lost income – If your injuries force you to miss work, you can be reimbursed for the paychecks you lost during recovery.
Reduced earning ability – Serious injuries that prevent you from returning to your old job or working full-time can lead to additional compensation.
Pain and suffering – Beyond financial costs, you may be compensated for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the crash.
Future care costs – If you need ongoing medical care, assistive devices, or home modifications, these future expenses can also be covered.

Every case has unique factors that can influence the value of your case. That’s why it’s critical that you talk with a Worcester rear-end accident lawyer who can carefully calculate the full worth of your injury claim.

What’s The Deadline To File a Claim in Massachusetts?

In general, you have three years from the date of the crash to file a claim for your injuries. Missing this deadline could bar you from recovering compensation, no matter how strong your case may be.

Three years might seem like a long time. But the sooner you take legal action, the stronger your case. Evidence can disappear fast. Eyewitnesses forget what happened. That’s why you need to talk to a Worcester rear-end accident lawyer right away.

Hit From Behind and Injured? Put a Powerful Law Firm in Your Corner

Insurance companies are often motivated by one thing – saving money, not helping injury victims. Without strong legal representation, you might not get the money you deserve for your Worcester rear-end crash. That’s why it’s critical that you talk to an attorney as soon as possible at our law firm.

Our Worcester rear-end accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Mark E. Salomone are well-equipped to handle such situations effectively. We conduct in-depth investigations. We track down evidence that matters. And we carefully prepare every case as if it were going to trial, so the insurance company knows we mean business. That’s The Salomone Advantage. Learn more about your potential legal options today. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation.