You're Safe with Drake - California's Premier Personal Injury Attorneys
Rear-end collisions are one of the most frequent types of vehicle accidents and are on the rise in the North Hollywood area. These accidents occur when one car is struck from behind ("rear-ended") by another car. These accidents can lead to 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 hurt, call Drake Law Firm at (844) 513-7253 for a free consultation with our rear-end car accident attorneys in North Hollywood.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a car behind you, it is very likely that the other driver is at fault. If you rear-ended a vehicle in front of you, you might be at fault, unless the motorist behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another car.
Other Motorist
The driver behind you might be considered 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 complete stop. If a car is not able to stop without rear-ending another vehicle, it might be presumed that the driver of that car was not acting as safely as they should have been.
Proving Fault
There are many ways to establish liability in a rear end collision. One way is turning to eyewitness testimony from individuals that were at the scene when the accident took place. Another good way of supporting a case is to look to the police report for a description of the collision. Finally, physical evidence such as damage to the car and skid marks on the road can help determine fault.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended by Another Vehicle
In the moments after a vehicle accident, it is likely that you will be under much stress. You might be confused, lightheaded, 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 car, it is essential that you contact emergency services as soon as possible. In plenty of rear-end accident cases, the driver of the front car does not experience pain right away after the accident occurs. However, it is possible for pain and aching to arise hours or even days after the crash. Seeking medical attention after a rear-end accident is for that reason very important for preventing and maintaining your health and well-being. It will also be useful when making a claim as your medical records will confirm the injuries you received.
2. Report the Collision
The next step is to report the collision to the authorities. Police officers will submit an accident report which will record all relevant aspects of the accident, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, and the time and date of the collision. Importantly, police officers might be able to collect statements from onlookers who managed to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Accident
A crucial step that is frequently overlooked by individuals that were rear-ended is to document the collision and to keep a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials relating to the collision. If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident after it happened. Keep copies of police reports, medical records, and vehicle repair shop estimates in an organized file. Recording this evidence will make it a lot easier to establish your claim against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Call a Car Accident Attorney
Lastly, you should contact a car accident attorney. The recovery and negotiation process with the other driver or the other motorist's insurer is commonly time-consuming and aggravating. A car collision attorney can relieve the stress of this process by dealing with important tasks such as contacting witnesses and performing investigations into the accident. A car accident attorney will also be able to help 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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