You're Safe with Drake - California's Premier Personal Injury Attorneys
Rear-end collisions are among the most prevalent kinds of car accidents and are on the rise in the Woodland Hills area. These accidents occur when one vehicle is struck from behind (" rear-ended") by another vehicle. These collisions can result in major injuries. A rear-end accident attorney helps those injuries in a rear-end collision seek compensation.
If you or a loved one has been injured, call Drake Law Firm at (844) 513-7253 for a free consultation with our rear-end vehicle accident attorneys in Woodland Hills.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a car behind you, it is very likely that the other motorist is at fault. If you rear-ended a car in front of you, you may be at fault, unless the person behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another vehicle.
Other Motorist
The driver behind you may be deemed responsible if they failed to stop in time as traffic slowed down or stopped. This is because the rules of the road require a vehicle to be able to stop safely if traffic in front of it slows down or comes to a full stop. If a car is unable to stop without rear-ending another car, it might be presumed that the driver of that car was not driving as safely as they could have been.
Proving Fault
There are several ways to prove responsibility in a rear end accident. One way is relying on eyewitness testimony from people who were at the scene when the collision took place. Another good way of supporting a claim is to look to the police report for a description of the accident. Finally, physical evidence such as damage to the automobile and skid marks on the street can help determine fault.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended by Another Vehicle
In the moments following a vehicle collision, it is likely that you will be under much stress. You might be confused, dizzy, or even physically injured. It is therefore important that you understand what to do in advance to increase your chances at a quick recovery.
1. Get Medical Attention
After you have been rear-ended by another vehicle, it is important that you contact emergency services immediately. In many rear-end accident situations, the motorist of the front car does not experience pain immediately after the accident occurs. However, it is possible for pain and aching to arise hours or even days after the crash. Getting medical care after a rear-end accident is therefore very important for preventing and preserving your health and well-being. It will also be useful when making a claim as your medical reports will confirm the injuries you sustained.
2. Report the Accident
The next step is to report the accident to the police. Police officers will submit an accident report which will record all relevant elements of the collision, including the parties involved, the location of the accident, as well as the time and date of the collision. Notably, police officers may be able to gather statements from onlookers that were able to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Accident
A crucial step that is commonly overlooked by people who were rear-ended is to document the collision and to maintain a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials relating to the crash. If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident after it happened. Keep copies of police reports, medical records, and car repair shop estimates in an organized file. Recording this evidence will make it much easier to establish your claim against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Call a Car Collision Attorney
Lastly, you need to call a car accident lawyer. The recovery and settlement process with the other motorist or the other driver's insurer is commonly time-consuming and frustrating. A vehicle accident lawyer can alleviate the stress of this process by taking care of important tasks such as contacting witnesses and performing investigations into the collision. A vehicle accident lawyer will also be able to help you through the settlement or litigation process and will be there to offer you legal guidance concerning complicated legal issues such as negligence.
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