What You Should Know About Rear End Shunt Accidents

Whenever you get behind the wheel of a car, you are at a risk for an accident. There are a variety of types of accidents that can occur. One of the potentially most devastating accidents you may ever encounter is rear end shunt accidents. These accidents happen when a car is hit from behind and pushed forward. Due to the forward motion, the struck vehicle may in turn hit the vehicle in front of them. This can be extremely devastating because the impact occurs on both ends of the vehicle, causing serious damage to the car, as well as to its occupants.

Careful Investigation Is Required

Because of the complexity of these accidents, it’s important to make sure they are properly investigated. This will help your court case along the way. Once the accident is reported, law enforcement officials and any necessary medical personnel will arrive on the scene to piece together what happened and provide assistance where needed. They will file a police report you can then submit to your insurance company, as well as provide to your lawyer to help determine whether you have a good case. Some of the most common causes of these accidents include tailgating, broken or poorly maintained tail lights, road rage, distracted driving, poorly maintained brakes or intoxicated driving. The cause of the accident and who is at fault will help your lawyer determine if you qualify for a case against the other driver.

Motorcyclists Are at an Increased Risk

While any driver or passenger can be injured in rear end shunt accidents, motorcyclists are at a particularly higher risk, especially of severe injury, because of the lack of protection. These accidents are also more common when motorcycles are involved because it can be easy for other drivers to miss seeing them until it is too late. When drivers don’t see a motorcyclist and ultimately hits them, they are at a much higher risk of serious injury than those who travel in other types of vehicles. Soft tissue injuries are among the most commonly reported as a results of these types of accidents. This is due to the back and forth whiplash motion that takes place when a stopped vehicle is hit, especially without the support found in cars, trucks and SUVs. Motorcyclists are also more likely to experience spinal or head injuries, particularly if they are thrown from the motorcycle when they are hit.

If you’ve been injured in a rear end shunt accident, you need the assistance of a qualified attorney to help you seek the compensation to which you may be entitled.