Sudden Stop Accidents

Sometimes a sudden stop is necessary in an emergency situation or in order to avoid a collision with another motorist, pedestrian, or bicyclist. However, when a driver is forced to stop suddenly due to their own carelessness, or if another car is following too closely behind, and an accident occurs, either party may be held liable for injuries caused by their negligence. The Miami car accident attorneys at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon help people throughout South Florida who have been injured in a sudden stop collision pursue compensation for the harm caused by another driver’s negligent actions.

Many different scenarios may lead to a crash caused by a sudden stop. Tailgating and distracted drivers are two of the more common factors that often contribute to a sudden stop crash. These collisions, which may involve more than one vehicle in a chain reaction, often result in serious injuries. Since one or more cars may be rear-ended, the potential for spinal cord and soft tissue injuries is high. The speed at which each motorist is traveling may also contribute to the severity of the injuries involved. Due to the nature of some of these injuries, their effects may not be immediately apparent. Seeking prompt medical attention following a sudden stop accident is important to ensure that you are treated properly and that any injuries are addressed.

Establishing liability for a sudden stop accident may be difficult. Multiple parties may be negligent in causing these types of crashes, especially if a driver stops without warning, and the motorist behind them was already following too closely. To prove negligence, the plaintiff – usually the injured victim - must show that:

• The defendant owed them a legal duty of reasonable care;
• That duty was breached;
• The breach was a proximate cause of the plaintiff’s injuries; and
• The plaintiff sustained damages.

All drivers owe one another a duty to engage in reasonably safe measures while on the road, including refraining from unnecessarily abrupt stops as well as leaving the proper amount of space between vehicles. If a driver engages in careless or illegal maneuvers, that driver usually would be found to have breached their duty of care.

Florida follows a pure comparative fault rule, which allows injured victims to seek damages even if they were also at fault for their own harm. Therefore, a plaintiff who is found to be 40 percent responsible for an accident may still recover compensation for 60 percent of the damages from another responsible party. The damages available in personal injury claims may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost income, and loss of earning capacity, among others.

Rear-end collisions and other accidents caused by a sudden stop may lead to a host of injuries and a long recovery process for victims. The Miami car accident lawyers at the Law Offices of Robert Dixon represent injured people in taking legal action to aid in that recovery. If you have been hurt in a crash, call 877.499.4878 or contact us online to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case with a motor vehicle collision attorney. We represent people throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, including in Miami and West Palm Beach.