You're Safe with Drake - California's Premier Personal Injury Attorneys
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent types of car collisions and are on the rise in the Calabasas area. These accidents occur when one vehicle is struck from behind ("rear-ended") by another car. These accidents can result in severe injuries. A rear-end collision attorney helps those injuries in a rear-end collision get 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 lawyers in Calabasas.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a vehicle behind you, it is most likely that the other motorist is at fault. If you rear-ended a vehicle in front of you, you may be at fault, unless the person behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another car.
Other Motorist
The driver behind you might be deemed at fault 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 vehicle, it may be assumed that the driver of that vehicle was not acting as safely as they could have been.
Proving Fault
There are a number of ways to determine responsibility in a rear end collision. One way is turning to eyewitness testimony from individuals that were at the scene when the collision took place. Another good way of supporting a case is to look to the police report for an explanation of the collision. Finally, physical evidence such as damage to the vehicle and skid marks on the road can help establish 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 a lot of stress. You might be confused, dizzy, or even physically injured. It is therefore essential that you understand what to do ahead of time to increase your odds at a quick recovery.
1. Seek Medical Attention
After you have been rear-ended by another vehicle, it is important that you contact emergency services as soon as possible. In plenty of rear-end accident situations, the driver of the front vehicle does not experience pain instantly after the accident occurs. However, it is possible for pain and aching to arise hours or even days after the crash. Seeking medical care after a rear-end collision is therefore very important for preventing and preserving your health and well-being. It will also be helpful when making a claim as your medical records will verify the injuries you received.
2. Report the Accident
The next step is to report the accident to the authorities. Police officers will submit an accident report which will record all relevant aspects of the collision, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, and the time and date of the accident. Importantly, police officers might be able to collect statements from bystanders that were able to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Collision
A crucial step that is often forgotten by individuals who were rear-ended is to document the accident and to maintain a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials pertaining to the crash. Ideally, take pictures of the scene of the accident after it occurred. 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 case against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Get In Touch with a Car Collision Attorney
Lastly, you should get in touch with a vehicle collision lawyer. The recovery and negotiation process with the other driver or the other motorist's insurance company is usually time-consuming and aggravating. A car accident lawyer can relieve the burden of this process by dealing with essential tasks such as contacting witnesses and conducting investigations into the collision. A car collision attorney will also be able to guide you with the settlement or litigation process and will be there to give you legal guidance regarding complex legal issues such as negligence.
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