Rear-end damage after a collision can cost you anywhere from $50 to $10,000.
The severity of the damage and the complexity of the repairs weigh heavily on the overall cost, along with the type of vehicle you have.
The impact from a rear-end collision can highly damage your car, up to the point of it being either unsafe or impossible to drive.
Even a “love-tap” in traffic could cause hidden damage within your vehicle. Without taking your car in for inspection, you might be subject to performance-hampering problems.
These can ultimately result in danger for you and anyone on the road with you.
Transmission Damage - Unfortunately, rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) are particularly susceptible to transmission damage due to rear-end collision.
Vehicles with a damaged transmission will experience difficulty accelerating and/or the inability to shift gears.
Alignment Damage - Your vehicle’s suspension system is vulnerable to damage during a rear-end collision.
Your suspension system connects your wheels to the rest of your vehicle, so damage to it can cause your wheels to be knocked off of their alignment with one another.
You may experience drifting to one side or a wobble while driving, as well as your tires being stripped faster than usual.
Frame Damage - Depending on the severity of the impact, a rear-end collision can bend your car’s frame.
A bent frame can result in defunct sensors and cameras, impairing the information you use to make driving decisions. Furthermore, bent frames provide less safety in a subsequent accident.
Tail Light Damage - It goes without saying that a rear-end collision will likely damage your tail lights and the electrical system connected to them.
Even a light impact could loosen or break wires or cause components to malfunction. Your car could even catch fire if the wiring is damaged enough! Components of your car that can be damaged by a rear-end collision include:
When you’re involved in a rear-end collision, the last driver to hit a car in the rear is usually held responsible and and ends up paying.
You, as the victim in this incident, will typically seek payment for any injuries suffered or damage done to your property because of the collision. What is the average payout for a rear-end collision? It varies depending on the circumstances, but working with a qualified attorney can help you determine what you're entitled to.
While the driver who causes the rear-end crash is typically held responsible, there are laws in many states for “comparative negligence.” Comparative negligence allows you to claim some form of compensation for the damages incurred, even if you’re partially responsible for the accident. The size of your payout will decrease depending on your amount of responsibility. Who's at fault in a rear-end collision? In most cases, the driver who rear-ends another car is at fault, but there are exceptions.
Exceptions in the case of rear-end collision liability may include:
The driver in front was driving irresponsibly and the rear driver could not reasonably avoid hitting the front car. The rear driver must have been driving at a safe distance away from the front driver.
Front driver stops abruptly without setting up flares or providing some form of notice to the traffic behind them.
The middle car is driving at a safe distance away, but is rear-ended by another driver into a driver in front of them. The driver that pushed the middle car into the front car is at fault.
Inclement weather conditions (fog, rain, etc.) that cause the collision to happen even though there was reasonably safe distance between the two vehicles.
If you're involved in a rear-end collision, it's important to understand your options for seeking compensation. In some cases, you may be able to recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, it's always best to consult with a qualified attorney to determine your legal rights and options. What is the average payout for a rear-end collision? It's best to work with an attorney to determine what you're entitled to in your specific case.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage is vehicle coverage built to provide protection if you’re ever in a car accident with a driver who doesn’t have the insurance to pay for your injuries.Each state defines “uninsured” differently, but it typically means a driver who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover the cost of someone else’s damages that they’re responsible for.
The driver may have auto liability insurance, but they either possess insufficient liability limits to handle the other person’s bills after an accident, or have liability limits that are equal to or less than the person’s underinsured motorist coverage threshold. If you're concerned about being involved in an at-fault rear-end collision with an uninsured or underinsured driver, it's important to consider adding uninsured motorist coverage to your auto insurance policy. This coverage can provide added protection and peace of mind in the event of an accident.
If you’ve been involved in a rear-end collision and find yourself without any reprieve due to the at-fault party lacking auto coverage, then DamagedCars is here for you.
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The DamagedCars process for taking a damaged car off your hands is quick, easy, and haggle-free. Contact us today and let us help you come out ahead of a rear-end collision.