Rear-End Collisions Involving Tow Hitches

As motorists, we encounter rear-end collisions frequently, since these types of accidents are the most common in Florida and nationwide. Whether they are due to an aggressively tailgating driver or a result of someone distracted while behind the wheel, rear-end crashes can result in serious injuries. When a vehicle has a tow hitch attached to the back, and another car strikes it, injuries to victims can become even more significant. The Jacksonville car accident lawyers at The Lawrence Law Group help victims injured in a collision involving a tow hitch received fair compensation from those responsible for their harm. Many victims face long recoveries, meaning time spent away from work, as well as frequent doctors’ appointments and rehabilitation efforts. The costs associated with car accident injuries can often escalate quickly, and insurance coverage is not always adequate. Our firm assists clients throughout Northeast Florida in making sure that at-fault parties contribute to these expenses and that victims’ voices are articulated in any necessary proceedings.

Approximately 40 percent of vehicles on the road have tow or receiver hitches attached to the back. Tow hitches are not only a standard feature on many SUVs and pickup trucks, but also increasingly popular for smaller vehicles with towing capacity. A tow hitch is bolted to the back frame of a vehicle as part of a towing package that also includes a ball mount. Tow hitches are divided into five class types, giving a vehicle the capacity to tow up to 10,000 pounds or more. Despite their utility, tow hitches create a risk for vehicle occupants in the event of a collision.

Studies have shown that tow hitches can take on an impact of five miles per hour yet result in no damage to the vehicle involved. However, in a rear-end collision, this impact is transferred to the main part of the vehicle being hit instead, and then on to its occupants, making injuries more severe. One study reported that vehicles with a tow hitch, when hit from behind, will increase the occupants’ likelihood of whiplash injuries by 22 percent. The fact that a hitch also results in less property damage is often a point of contention in personal injury cases and insurance dealings. Without significant physical vehicle damage, insurance companies commonly argue that a victim’s injuries are minimal. However, even these rear-end collisions occurring at low speeds can result in significant injuries, especially when a tow hitch or tow receiver was struck.

One of the steps to take following a rear-end collision involving a tow hitch is to take pictures at the scene, if possible. Make sure to take pictures of the at fault vehicle as well as it may more accurately show the nature of the impact force. This will aid in proving that the hitch took the impact for the vehicle. Often, victims with serious injuries will need to pursue a personal injury case in order to obtain compensation for medical expenses, loss of earnings, diminished earning capacity, and pain and suffering. Contacting an experienced attorney as soon as possible following an accident is advisable to ensure that your legal rights are protected.

The attorneys at The Lawrence Law Group are committed to making sure that car accident victims receive the compensation that they are entitled to obtain following a serious collision. Our firm represents people across Duval, Clay, Nassau, Flagler, Putnam, Hamilton, Jefferson, Volusia, St. Johns, Baker, Brevard, Union, Columbia, Suwannee, and Alachua Counties. If you need legal assistance in the aftermath of a car accident caused by a distracted driver or someone else who was acting carelessly on the road, contact us today to speak with an attorney about your potential claim at no cost to you. We can be reached online or at (904) 632-0077 for a consultation.