If you’ve been hit from behind in a car accident, you know how jarring and disorienting the experience can be. Rear-end collisions happen in seconds, but their effects can last for months or even years. In Huntington Beach, where busy Pacific Coast Highway traffic meets local streets, rear-end accidents occur far too frequently. When you’re injured in a rear-end accident, you need a Huntington Beach rear end accident lawyer who understands both the physical toll these crashes take and the legal tactics insurance companies use to minimize your compensation. DJA Injury Attorneys has recovered millions for clients injured in rear-end collisions, and we’re ready to fight for you.
Why Choose DJA Injury Attorneys for Your Rear-End Accident Claim
When you’re injured in a rear-end accident, you need more than just any lawyer—you need someone who understands how insurance companies think. DJA Injury Attorneys was founded by Jeff Schwalbach, an attorney with 10 years of experience in personal injury law. What makes Jeff different is his background in insurance defense. Before representing injured victims, he spent years on the other side, defending insurance companies and learning their playbook. Now, he uses that insider knowledge to protect your rights and fight back against lowball settlement offers.
Jeff has earned recognition as a Super Lawyers Rising Star for six consecutive years (2019-2024), an honor given to less than 2.5% of attorneys in California. You can verify his credentials on his Super Lawyers profile and Avvo attorney profile. He holds a J.D. from Pepperdine University School of Law and is admitted to practice in California State Courts and U.S. District Courts of California. More importantly, Jeff has a proven track record with rear-end accident cases. In one case, an insurer offered just $55,000 for a minor-impact rear-end collision. Through aggressive litigation and trial preparation, Jeff secured a $1 million settlement—18 times the initial offer.
DJA Injury Attorneys operates on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We offer free consultations and are available 24/7 to discuss your case. Our office is located right here in Huntington Beach at 19671 Beach Blvd., Suite 415, so you can meet with Jeff personally to discuss what happened and what your case might be worth. Learn more about our approach to car accident cases in Huntington Beach. View our case results and settlements to see how we’ve helped other clients.
How Rear-End Accidents Happen in Huntington Beach
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of car accident in the United States, and Huntington Beach is no exception. The city’s busy roads, including Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard, see constant traffic flow. When drivers aren’t paying attention or following too closely, rear-end accidents happen in an instant.
The most common causes of rear-end accidents in Huntington Beach include:
- Distracted driving (texting, phone use, eating, adjusting the radio)
- Impaired driving
- Speeding and aggressive driving
- Following too closely without maintaining a safe following distance
- Sudden stops or brake checking
- Poor visibility due to weather or time of day
- Faulty brakes or mechanical failure
What makes rear-end accidents different from other types of collisions is that liability is usually clear. In California, the driver who hits the car in front is presumed to be at fault. The law assumes that if you hit someone from behind, you were either following too closely, driving too fast for conditions, or not paying attention. This presumption of liability makes rear-end accident cases more straightforward than head-on collisions or T-bone accidents, where fault might be disputed.
However, insurance companies still try to minimize what they pay. They may argue that your injuries aren’t serious, that the impact was too minor to cause injury, or that your medical treatment was unnecessary. This is where having an experienced Huntington Beach car accident attorney makes all the difference.
Common Injuries from Rear-End Collisions
Many people assume that if there’s minimal damage to the vehicle, there can’t be serious injuries. Insurance companies certainly hope you believe this. The reality is very different. Rear-end collisions can cause significant injuries even at low speeds because your body experiences sudden acceleration and deceleration forces that can damage soft tissues, nerves, and joints.
Common injuries from rear-end accidents include:
- Whiplash and soft tissue injuries: The sudden jerking motion of your head and neck can strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons. Whiplash symptoms may not appear immediately but can develop over hours or days.
- Neck and back injuries: Rear-end impacts place tremendous force on your spine. You may suffer from herniated discs, bulging discs, or other spinal injuries that cause chronic pain.
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI): Even without hitting your head directly, the violent motion can cause your brain to move within your skull, resulting in concussions or more serious brain injuries. Learn more about traumatic brain injury claims.
- Spinal cord injuries: In more severe rear-end collisions, spinal cord damage can occur, potentially resulting in partial or complete paralysis.
- Internal injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage internal organs, causing bleeding or other serious complications that may not be immediately apparent.
- Emotional trauma and PTSD: Many rear-end accident victims develop anxiety about driving or being in cars, which can significantly impact their quality of life.
What Compensation Can You Recover
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end accident caused by someone else’s negligence, California law allows you to recover compensation for your losses. This includes both economic damages (financial losses) and non-economic damages (personal suffering).
Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses (emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgery, physical therapy, medications)
- Future medical care and treatment
- Lost wages from time off work
- Lost earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from working at your previous level
- Property damage to your vehicle
- Transportation costs while your vehicle is being repaired
Non-economic damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and anxiety
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium (impact on your relationships)
- Scarring or disfigurement
In cases involving gross negligence or intentional misconduct, you may also recover punitive damages, which are designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future.
The value of your case depends on many factors, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment you received, your lost wages, and the impact on your daily life. DJA Injury Attorneys has recovered settlements ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions in rear-end accident cases. During your free consultation, we can discuss what your specific case might be worth. See our case results page for examples of settlements we’ve obtained.
Steps to Take After a Rear-End Accident
Knowing what to do immediately after a rear-end accident can protect your health and strengthen your legal claim. Here’s what you should do:
- Seek immediate medical attention: Even if you feel fine, get checked by a doctor. Some injuries don’t show symptoms right away. A medical record created soon after the accident is crucial evidence of your injuries.
- Document the scene: Take photos of vehicle damage, the accident scene, road conditions, and traffic signs. If possible, get contact information from witnesses who saw what happened.
- Report to the police: Call the police and obtain a copy of the accident report. The report number and details will be important for your claim.
- Notify your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company, but be careful about what you say. Stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault or speculating about what happened.
- Avoid signing documents or accepting settlement offers: Don’t sign anything or accept any settlement offer from the other driver’s insurance company without consulting an attorney first. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle cases quickly and cheaply.
- Contact DJA Injury Attorneys for a free consultation: Call (949) 229-7228 or visit our Huntington Beach office to discuss your case with Jeff Schwalbach. We can advise you on your rights and help protect your interests from the start.
How DJA Injury Attorneys Builds Your Rear-End Accident Claim
When you hire DJA Injury Attorneys to represent you, we take a comprehensive approach to building your case. We don’t just accept the insurance company’s initial offer—we investigate thoroughly and prepare your case as if it’s going to trial.
Our process includes:
- Investigation and evidence gathering: We obtain the police report, medical records, and any available video footage. We identify and interview witnesses. We inspect the accident scene and vehicles to understand exactly what happened.
- Medical record review and expert retention: We work with medical professionals to understand the full extent of your injuries and their long-term impact. We retain medical experts who can testify about your injuries and prognosis if your case goes to trial.
- Negotiation with insurance companies: We communicate with the insurance company on your behalf, presenting evidence of liability and the severity of your injuries. We demand fair compensation based on what your case is actually worth.
- Litigation preparation and trial readiness: If the insurance company won’t offer fair compensation, we prepare your case for trial. We file a lawsuit, conduct discovery, take depositions, and prepare witnesses. Insurance companies know when we’re serious about going to trial, and this often leads to better settlement offers.
- Aggressive advocacy against lowball offers: We never pressure you to accept an unfair settlement. We advise you on whether an offer is reasonable and fight for every dollar you deserve.
This approach works. In one case, an insurer offered $3,000 for a low-speed accident with a major rideshare company. We refused the lowball offer, prepared for trial, and obtained a $750,000 settlement. Whether you were injured in an Uber accident or Lyft accident, we have the experience to fight for your rights. The difference between accepting the first offer and fighting for your rights can be hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for a rear-end accident claim in California?
You have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit for a rear-end accident injury claim in California. This deadline is set by California Code of Civil Procedure § 335.1. If you don’t file within two years, you lose your right to sue, even if you have a valid claim. This is why it’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible after your accident. We can protect your rights and ensure your claim is filed before the deadline expires.
Is the driver who hit me always liable in a rear-end accident?
In most rear-end accidents, the driver who hits you from behind is presumed to be at fault. California law assumes that drivers who hit someone from behind were either following too closely, driving too fast for conditions, or not paying attention. However, rare exceptions exist. For example, liability might be shared if the front driver suddenly reversed into you or if their brake lights weren’t working.
California follows comparative negligence rules. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. You can recover compensation regardless of whether you are under or over 50% responsible for the accident.
An experienced Huntington Beach car accident lawyer can evaluate the specific facts of your accident. We can advise you on liability and help you understand your recovery options.
How much is my rear-end accident case worth?
The value of your rear-end accident case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the amount of medical treatment you received, your lost wages, the impact on your daily life, and the insurance policy limits. Cases can range from tens of thousands to over $1 million. DJA Injury Attorneys has recovered $1 million in a minor-impact rear-end case, $1.35 million in a case involving emotional injuries, and $600,000 in a non-surgical case. During your free consultation, we can review the facts of your accident and injuries and provide an estimate of what your case might be worth.
What if the insurance company offers a low settlement?
Don’t accept a low settlement without consulting an attorney. Insurance companies often make lowball offers, hoping you’ll accept quickly. In one of our cases, an insurer offered $55,000 for a rear-end accident. We refused the offer, prepared for trial, and obtained a $1 million settlement. The difference was $945,000. If you receive a settlement offer, contact DJA Injury Attorneys for a free consultation. We can advise you on whether the offer is fair and fight for better compensation if it’s not.
Can I recover compensation for emotional injuries from a rear-end accident?
Yes. While rear-end accidents often cause physical injuries, they can also cause significant emotional and psychological harm. Many victims develop anxiety about driving, PTSD, or depression following an accident. California law allows you to recover compensation for these non-economic damages. In one of our cases, a college student suffered minimal physical injuries but profound emotional trauma that disrupted her entire undergraduate experience. We secured a $1.35 million settlement that reflected the severity of her emotional injuries. If you’re experiencing emotional distress following your rear-end accident, discuss this with your attorney. Learn more about traumatic brain injuries and their impact on your claim.
How long does a rear-end accident case take?
The timeline for a rear-end accident case varies depending on the complexity of your injuries, the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate, and whether your case goes to trial. Some cases settle within a few months. Others take a year or more. If your case goes to trial, it may take 18 months to two years or longer. During your consultation, we can discuss the likely timeline for your specific case. What’s important is that we don’t rush to settle. We take the time necessary to build a strong case and fight for fair compensation.
Contact DJA Injury Attorneys Today
If you’ve been injured in a rear-end accident in Huntington Beach, don’t wait to get legal help. The sooner you contact DJA Injury Attorneys, the sooner our firm can begin protecting your rights and fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Call (949) 229-7228 today for your free consultation. We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case. Our office is located at 19671 Beach Blvd., Suite 415, in Huntington Beach, so you can meet with Jeff Schwalbach in person. Remember, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means your interests are aligned with ours—we only get paid when you get paid.
Don’t let an insurance company take advantage of you. Contact DJA Injury Attorneys today and let us help you recover the compensation you deserve.