You were stopped at a light, or slowing for traffic, and someone hit you from behind. Now your neck hurts, your car is in the shop, and an insurance adjuster is already calling to tell you it was a “minor” crash.
You don’t have to sort this out alone. As your trusted rear-end collision lawyers, our team at Schoefield & Green Law handles the insurance company, documents your injuries, and fights for what your claim is actually worth, so you can focus on getting better.
In a rear-end car collision, your vehicle is pushed forward faster than your body can react. Your torso moves with the seat, and your head lags behind, then snaps forward. That whip-like motion can strain muscles, ligaments, discs, and nerves even at speeds that leave little mark on the car.
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of crash in the country. In 2024, there were an estimated 3.73 million rear-end crashes nationwide, about 28 percent of all crashes. That’s more than any other crash type, according to the National Safety Council.
So clearly, rear-end collisions are far from harmless. That same year, rear-end crashes:
Common doesn't mean minor. And a small dent doesn't mean a small injury.
Insurers often lean on what’s called a low-impact defense. They show photos of a scuffed bumper and argue that a crash that small couldn’t have hurt you. But modern bumpers are built to absorb an impact and spring back into shape. When the car doesn’t crumple, more of that force can pass through to the people inside.
Symptoms also tend to show up late. Whiplash, disc injuries, and concussions often surface 24 to 72 hours after a crash, after adrenaline wears off. That delay is normal. It’s also the gap insurers use to argue your injuries came from something else.
If you were rear-ended and feel fine, please see a doctor within a day or two anyway. Follow through on the treatment they recommend. Prompt care protects your health, and it’s the best answer to “you didn’t seem hurt.”
In most rear-end crashes, the driver who hit you is at fault. Colorado’s following-too-closely law (C.R.S. § 42-4-1008) requires drivers to leave a reasonable and safe distance. That distance has to account for speed, traffic, and road conditions. If traffic ahead slows or stops, the driver behind is expected to stop in time.
That’s why rear-end cases are often strong. But fault isn’t automatic, and insurers know where to look for exceptions.
An insurer may argue that you contributed to the crash if:
Sometimes these arguments are fair. Often they’re a way to reduce what the insurer has to pay. “You stopped suddenly” is one of the most common claims. Stopping for traffic, a light, or a hazard is exactly what drivers are supposed to do.
Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule (C.R.S. § 13-21-111). You can still recover compensation as long as you are less than 50 percent at fault. Your award is reduced by your share of fault. If you’re found 20 percent at fault on a $100,000 claim, for example, you would recover $80,000.
Because every percentage point matters, we build the evidence early and thoroughly. That can include dashcam video, footage from nearby businesses, the police report, witness statements, vehicle data, and the damage pattern on both cars.
If you were the middle car in a multi-vehicle crash, more than one driver and more than one insurance company may be involved. Sorting out who hit whom, and in what order, takes a real investigation, not a quick look at the police report.
Common causes we see in rear-end collision cases:
If the driver who hit you had no insurance, not enough insurance, or drove off, your own UM/UIM coverage may fill the gap. See our uninsured motorist page for more.
Colorado generally gives you three years from the date of a motor-vehicle crash to file a lawsuit (C.R.S. § 13-80-101). That can sound like plenty of time, but evidence doesn’t wait. Video gets overwritten, witnesses move, and gaps in treatment get harder to explain. The sooner a rear-end collision attorney is working on your case, the more there is to work with.
Every case is different. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
If you’ve been rear-ended, you may already know what it feels like to have someone downplay what you’re going through. An adjuster questions your pain. A repair estimate somehow becomes the measure of your injuries.
Andrea Schofield built this firm to be different. It’s women-owned and small on purpose. Andrea keeps a limited caseload, so the attorney you meet is the attorney handling your case. She listens, explains your options in plain English, and tells you the truth about your claim, even when it’s not what you hoped to hear.
She’s backed by Senior Litigation Paralegal Lori Bielawski, who spent years on the insurance-defense side. Lori knows how adjusters use repair photos, treatment gaps, and “you stopped suddenly” arguments, which helps us prepare for them before they come up.
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Have questions about rear-end collisions? We’ve heard plenty over the years, and answered all of them. Find what you need below, or see our FAQ page for even more information.
Call 911 or report the crash to Colorado Springs Police or the El Paso County Sheriff. Photograph both vehicles, the scene, and the other driver’s license and insurance card. Ask witnesses for contact information and save any dashcam footage. See a doctor within a day or two, even if you feel fine. Keep records of repairs, rental costs, and missed work. Then talk to a rear-end collision attorney before giving a statement to the other driver’s insurer.
Call 911 or report the crash to Colorado Springs Police or the El Paso County Sheriff. Photograph both vehicles, the scene, and the other driver’s license and insurance card. Ask witnesses for contact information and save any dashcam footage. See a doctor within a day or two, even if you feel fine. Keep records of repairs, rental costs, and missed work. Then talk to a rear-end collision attorney before giving a statement to the other driver’s insurer.
Call 911 or report the crash to Colorado Springs Police or the El Paso County Sheriff. Photograph both vehicles, the scene, and the other driver’s license and insurance card. Ask witnesses for contact information and save any dashcam footage. See a doctor within a day or two, even if you feel fine. Keep records of repairs, rental costs, and missed work. Then talk to a rear-end collision attorney before giving a statement to the other driver’s insurer.
There’s no typical number. Settlement value depends on your injuries and treatment, lost income, future care, how fault is divided, and the insurance coverage available. Be cautious of any website that quotes an “average.” We can give you a realistic picture after we review your case.
Colorado generally allows three years from the date of a motor-vehicle crash to file a lawsuit. If a government vehicle was involved, such as a city bus, you may need to give written notice within 182 days. Don’t wait. Evidence like video footage can disappear within days or weeks.
In addition to rear-end crashes, we handle car accidents, T-bone crashes, truck accidents, rideshare accidents, motorcycle accidents, distracted driving and drunk driving crashes, and uninsured motorist claims. If you were hurt because of someone else’s carelessness, we want to hear your story.
You were stopped. They weren’t. Picture the day this is behind you, with your medical bills covered, your car fixed or replaced, and no more calls from the insurance company.
Rear-end cases are often strong, but the insurer will still look for ways to pay less. Talk to a Colorado Springs rear-end collision lawyer who will tell you where your case stands and handle the fight for you.
