You're Safe with Drake - California's Premier Personal Injury Attorneys
Rear-end collisions are among the most frequent types of car accidents and are on the rise in the Panorama City area. These accidents occur when one car is struck from behind (" rear-ended") by another vehicle. These collisions can lead to major injuries. A rear-end collision lawyer 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 attorneys in Panorama City.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a car behind you, it is most likely that the other motorist is at fault. If you rear-ended a car in front of you, you might be at fault, unless the motorist behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another vehicle.
Other Driver
The driver behind you could 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 complete stop. If a vehicle is not able to stop without rear-ending another car, it might be presumed that the motorist of that vehicle was not driving as safely as they could have been.
Proving Fault
There are several ways to prove liability in a rear end accident. One way is turning to eyewitness testimony from people who were at the scene when the accident occurred. Another good way of supporting a claim 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 street can help determine fault.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended by Another Vehicle
In the moments following a car accident, it is likely that you will be under a lot of stress. You might be confused, lightheaded, or even physically hurt. It is therefore vital that you know what to do ahead of time to increase your chances at a fast recovery.
1. Seek Medical Care
After you have been rear-ended by another car, it is essential that you contact emergency services as soon as possible. In many rear-end collision situations, the motorist of the front vehicle does not experience pain instantly after the collision takes place. However, it is possible for pain and aching to arise hours or even days after the collision. Getting medical care after a rear-end collision is therefore very important for preventing and maintaining your health and well-being. It will also be helpful when making a claim as your medical reports will confirm the injuries you received.
2. Report the Accident
The next step is to report the collision to the police. Police officers will file an accident report which will document all pertinent elements of the collision, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, and the time and date of the collision. Notably, police officers may be able to gather statements from bystanders who were able to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Accident
A vital step that is frequently overlooked by individuals who were rear-ended is to document the accident and to keep a thorough and organized record of all documents or materials relating to the accident. If possible, take photos of the scene of the collision after it happened. Keep copies of police reports, medical records, and auto 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. Contact a Vehicle Accident Attorney
Lastly, you need to call a vehicle collision attorney. The recovery and negotiation process with the other motorist or the other driver's insurance company is often time-consuming and frustrating. A car collision attorney can alleviate the stress of this process by dealing with essential tasks such as talking to witnesses and conducting 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 provide you legal advice concerning complex legal issues such as negligence.
.png)