317-488-5500
At Christie Bell & Marshall, our Bloomington car accident lawyers use a structured approach to investigate your rear-end accident case, build compelling arguments that prove liability, and hold the responsible parties accountable. With over 40 years of experience in Indiana, we know how to identify the cause of an accident and support it with evidence that insurers cannot ignore.
Although rear-end crashes may appear straightforward, insurers can contest fault or minimize injuries to avoid payouts. To counter this, we build a detailed, evidence-based record for every Bloomington client. Our investigation includes:
Securing all this evidence early on helps prevent insurers from shifting blame or disputing the seriousness of the impact, as a comprehensive, well-documented case leaves little room for manipulation or denial. Christie Bell & Marshall’s evidence-based approach ultimately strengthens the client’s position for a fair settlement or successful litigation.
Speak with a personal injury lawyer today. Call: 317-488-5500
Insurance adjusters rely on the public’s assumption that rear-end collision liability is always clear and damages are always limited to minor whiplash that resolves with a few weeks of chiropractic care—a misconception that allows them to make lowball settlement offers that don’t account for herniated discs requiring surgery, traumatic brain injuries that won’t fully manifest for months, or the chronic pain syndromes that develop when cervical spine trauma goes undertreated during the critical initial recovery period.
However, these accidents can involve more than just determining who struck whom. Depending on the circumstances, complications may arise from the injuries that follow.
Your rear-end attorney will thoroughly investigate these additional elements, evaluating road layout, traffic signal timing, vehicle spacing, and any roadway obstacles to show exactly how the collision occurred.
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While the rear driver is often presumed at fault, liability can extend to multiple parties depending on the circumstances, including:
Christie Bell & Marshall’s attorneys investigate every aspect of the accident to identify all possible sources of compensation. By thoroughly examining the facts and uncovering any contributing factors or responsible parties, we aim to ensure you receive the financial recovery needed to heal.
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The medical reality is that rear-end collisions subject occupants to rapid acceleration-deceleration forces that cause the head to whip backward and forward in milliseconds, creating shear forces on cervical vertebrae, intervertebral discs, facet joints, and the spinal cord itself that produce injuries ranging from ligament sprains to complete disc herniations with nerve root compression requiring surgical intervention.
Rear-end collision injuries that Christie Bell & Marshall’s Bloomington clients frequently experience include:
The delayed onset of many rear-end collision injuries—symptoms that appear hours, days, or weeks after the crash rather than immediately—creates additional challenges because insurance adjusters use treatment gaps and delayed symptom reporting to argue that your injuries weren’t caused by the collision at all. Christie Bell & Marshall coordinates with emergency medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, neurologists, physiatrists, and pain management specialists who explain the medical science behind delayed symptom onset, document the progressive nature of disc herniations and nerve compression, and testify about the causal relationship between the collision biomechanics and the specific injuries you’re experiencing regardless of when symptoms first became apparent.
Depending on the injuries, you may recover the following damages:
Each of these components is critical to calculating total compensation and ensuring you are fairly reimbursed for both tangible and intangible losses. Thorough and accurate documentation is essential because it provides the clear, tangible evidence needed to support each of your damages, supporting significant recoveries similar to those listed in our case results.
If you’re unsure which damages apply to your case, we invite you to discuss it during a free initial consultation with an expert rear-end accident lawyer at our firm.
Rear-end crashes in Bloomington can involve confusing traffic conditions, multiple drivers, and insurers who minimize injuries or dispute fault. When you contact Christie Bell & Marshall, an experienced attorney will manage all the legal aspects of your case. This includes gathering and analyzing evidence, creating a solid strategy, building compelling arguments, and managing all communications and negotiations with insurers.
If you have been injured in a rear-end accident in Bloomington, your attorney can build a case grounded in Indiana law that provides full and fair compensation. To get started, contact us today for a free consultation—there are no fees unless we win your case.
Call 911, request medical evaluation, and document the scene if you are able. Take photos of vehicle positions, traffic signals, skid marks, and your injuries. Exchange information with all drivers and identify witnesses.
The rear driver is often presumed responsible. However, liability can involve more than one driver, especially in chain-reaction crashes or sudden-stop situations caused by unsafe maneuvers. Our attorneys analyze braking patterns, traffic conditions, and vehicle data to determine how the sequence unfolded.
Yes. Indiana’s modified comparative fault system allows you to recover damages as long as you are less than 51 percent responsible; however, your compensation would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Rear-end crashes often cause neck and back injuries, disc herniations, concussions, soft-tissue damage, and chronic pain that develops over days or weeks. In more forceful impacts, drivers may suffer traumatic brain injuries or nerve compression.
Most cases must be filed within two years, according to Indiana Code § 34-11-2-4. Claims involving government vehicles or road maintenance issues may require special notice within a shorter timeline. Contacting a lawyer early helps preserve evidence and prevents deadline-related issues.
Most are resolved through negotiation, but a trial becomes more likely if the insurer disputes fault or claims your injuries are minor. We prepare every case from the beginning as if it may go before a jury, which helps leverage stronger settlement discussions.
“From my first telephone conference with Mr. Christie to the settlement of my case, I found Lee and his office staff to be professional, courteous, and extremely helpful. Mr. Christie is professional, very knowledgeable, thorough, and realistic.”
“Tina Bell is the best. She continued to pursue the case resulting in an agreeable settlement.”
“Lee Christie represented my parents after an auto accident and he was wonderful! He always answered any questions or concerns we had and I would recommend him to anyone!”
“Lee Christie and Jill DuVall were very compassionate and caring in a stressful situation. They always answered our questions promptly, sometimes very late in the evening.”
“They were professional, yet very personally involved in our case. After hiring them, I felt a huge weight lifted from my shoulder so I concentrate on taking care of my husband.”
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