Florida Rear-End Accident Lawyer
Legal Help After a Rear-End Accident in Florida
Getting rear-ended by another driver can take you by surprise—and leave you badly injured. A rear-end collision is one of the most common types of car accidents that you can have, and causes thousands of people to get injured every year. Unfortunately, that doesn’t make dealing with the insurance company any easier when it comes time to discuss compensation.
Why should you have to pay for a car accident that wasn’t your fault? Don’t let the insurance company push you around. Attorney Armando Edmiston knows how to handle insurance adjusters and will aggressively advocate for your best interests. Whether it’s through a cash settlement or a jury verdict, we will put in the work to get you the payout you deserve.
If you get rear-ended and injured, let our law firm fight to help you maximize the value of your claim. Armando Personal Injury Law has recovered millions for clients in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and throughout Florida. Learn how an experienced rear-end accident attorney can help you. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
Who Is At Fault in a Rear-End Accident in Florida?
In most rear-end accidents, the driver in the back vehicle is presumed to be at fault. Florida law generally expects drivers to maintain a safe following distance and stay alert to traffic conditions ahead.
However, liability is not always automatic. There are situations where fault may be disputed, including:
- Sudden or unsafe stops by the lead driver
- Multi-vehicle chain-reaction crashes
- Brake light or vehicle malfunction issues
- Road hazards or unexpected traffic conditions
Even in a rear-end collision, insurers may try to shift blame or minimize their liability by arguing that the lead driver braked suddenly or failed to react reasonably. That's why you need an experienced Florida rear-end accident lawyer who can deal with the insurance company on your behalf, protect your rights, and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve under Florida law.
I got rear-ended. What should I do now?
If you are rear-ended by another driver, try to remain calm and assess the situation. If it’s safe to do so, move your car out of the road so that you can avoid another collision and you don’t hinder the flow of traffic. Activate your hazard lights to alert other drivers that there’s been a crash, and check to see if anyone has been injured. After that, you should:
- Call the police to report the accident. If anyone needs immediate medical attention, ask them to send an ambulance. When the police arrive, tell them what happened and stick to the facts. You’ll be able to get a copy of the official accident report on the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles website for a fee.
- Get the other driver’s information. Take down their name, address, phone number, license and registration numbers, insurance company name, and policy number. Do not argue about who was at fault or say anything that could be misunderstood as admitting fault.
- Take pictures. Show a detailed overview of the crash scene, all the damage to every vehicle involved, skid marks, traffic signals, street signs, road construction, and anything else that might be relevant to the accident. If you have visible injuries, be sure to document those with pictures, as well.
- See a doctor right away. Even if you feel fine, you need to get checked out by a medical professional at a doctor’s office, hospital, or urgent care facility within 24 hours of your crash. Some injuries have delayed symptoms, so getting checked out right away is the safest option. Document your visit with the doctor and be sure to attend all follow-up appointments. Remember, Florida law requires you to seek medical care within 14 days of your accident for PIP claims.
- Notify your insurance company. Let them know you were in a car accident but stick to the basic facts and don’t go into too much detail. If they ask you to give a recorded statement, kindly decline and refer them to your attorney. Do not talk to someone else’s insurance company, lawyer, or investigator.
What Are Common Rear-End Accident Injuries?
Rear-end collisions are often dismissed as minor, especially when the vehicle damage is limited. But even a low-speed collision can put significant force on the neck, back, and head. Some injuries show up right away, while others may take hours or days to become more noticeable.
Common rear-end accident injuries include:
- Whiplash: One of the most common rear-end collision injuries, often causing neck pain, stiffness, headaches, and reduced range of motion
- Back Injuries: Herniated discs, soft tissue damage, and lower back pain can interfere with daily life and work
- Head Injuries: A rear-end crash can cause a concussion or other traumatic brain injury, even without a direct blow to the head
- Shoulder Injuries: Seatbelt restraint and sudden body movement can lead to sprains, strains, or torn soft tissue
- Delayed Symptoms: Pain, numbness, dizziness, and stiffness may not appear until after the shock of the crash wears off
Insurance companies often try to use delayed symptoms or low property damage to argue that someone could not have been seriously hurt. That's one reason medical documentation and follow-up treatment matter so much in a rear-end accident claim.
How does insurance work if you get rear-ended?
Liability (that is, who is responsible for the accident) usually isn’t contested in a rear-end crash, since there is a strong presumption that the driver in the rear vehicle is at fault. However, the extent of damages (financial compensation) is often contested, especially if the collision happened at a low speed. It’s common for insurance companies to downplay the extent of an injury or argue that it wasn’t sustained in the accident at all.
What is the Payout for a rear-end accident?
Without knowing all the details of your accident, the answer is “it depends.” If you were rear-ended and suffered injuries, you can pursue compensation to cover all your accident-related expenses, including medical bills, lost income, loss of future earnings, property damage, and other losses as a result of your crash. Don’t look at any settlement offer you receive from the insurance company as an accurate estimate of your damages, as the insurance company is only interested in protecting its bottom line. The only way to find out how much money your claim is really worth is to let an attorney review your case during a free consultation.
What Compensation Can You Recover After a Rear-End Accident?
A rear-end accident can lead to more than just vehicle damage. Many victims face ongoing medical treatment, missed work, and lasting physical or emotional effects.
You may be entitled to compensation for:
- Medical expenses: Emergency care, treatment, and ongoing rehabilitation
- Lost income: Time missed from work and reduced earning ability
- Future medical needs: Continued care related to your injuries
- Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional impact of the accident
- Loss of earning capacity: When injuries affect your ability to work long-term
Early settlement offers rarely reflect the true cost of a rear-end accident, especially when treatment is ongoing or symptoms worsen over time.
Speak To a Florida Rear-End Collision Lawyer in Florida Today
Don’t let the insurance company give you a hard time. Attorney Armando Edmiston can handle every aspect of your claim and fight to get you the payout you need and deserve. We’ll listen to your story, get to the bottom of what happened to you, and build a case for the full amount of compensation you deserve.
Best of all, you don’t have to pay us anything unless we win. That’s because we represent our clients on a contingency fee basis. See what Armando Personal Injury Law can do for you. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
Client Testimonial
"Armando, I don’t even know where to begin. Thank you, from the bottom of my family’s hearts. Our case was a tricky one, and thank God for you and your skilled professionals. You not only made us feel well taken care of, you went out of your way to help us. You were also very responsive and straight-up. I would recommend you to anyone because you get the job done. This is truly your passion, and it shows. Thank you again, no way to even repay you for the help. God bless you."
– L.G. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Actual client. Results may vary; each case is different.
About the Author
Attorney Armando Edmiston is the founding attorney of Armando Personal Injury Law in Tampa, Florida, a law firm dedicated to helping people harmed in car, truck, motorcycle, nursing home, and other serious injury cases. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran and personal injury lawyer, Armando draws on his real-world courtroom experience and years of representing injured Floridians to write and carefully review the legal content on this website. Every guide is written in clear, straightforward language so injured people and their families can better understand their rights, and is reviewed for legal accuracy before publication.