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 Reseda area. These accidents occur when one vehicle is struck from behind (" rear-ended") by another vehicle. These collisions can result in severe injuries. A rear-end accident lawyer helps those injuries in a rear-end collision seek 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 vehicle accident lawyers in Reseda.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a vehicle behind you, it is very 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 car.
Other Driver
The motorist behind you might be considered liable 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 presumed that the driver of that vehicle was not driving as safely as he or she should have been.
Proving Fault
There are many ways to establish responsibility in a rear end accident. One way is turning to eyewitness testimony from people who 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 accident. 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 car collision, it is likely that you will be under a lot of stress. You might be confused, lightheaded, or even physically injured. It is for that reason imperative that you understand what to do in advance to increase your chances at a fast recovery.
1. Get Medical Care
After you have been rear-ended by another vehicle, it is important that you contact emergency services right away. In many rear-end collision cases, the driver of the front car does not experience pain immediately after the accident happens. However, it is possible for pain and aching to set in hours or even days after the collision. Seeking medical care after a rear-end collision is for that reason 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 show the injuries you sustained.
2. Report the Accident
The next step is to report the accident to the authorities. Police officers will file an accident report which will document all pertinent aspects of the collision, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, and the time and date of the accident. Importantly, police officers may be able to gather statements from onlookers that were able to witness the rear end collision.
3. Document the Collision
A crucial step that is commonly overlooked by people who were rear-ended is to document the accident and to keep a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials relating to the crash. Ideally, take photos of the scene of the collision 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 much easier to establish your claim against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Get In Touch with a Car Accident Attorney
Lastly, you should get in touch with a vehicle collision attorney. The recovery and settlement process with the other motorist or the other driver's insurance company is commonly time-consuming and aggravating. A vehicle accident attorney can ease the burden of this process by handling important tasks such as contacting witnesses and conducting investigations into the accident. A vehicle accident attorney will also be able to assist you with the settlement or litigation process and will be there to provide you legal guidance concerning complicated legal issues such as negligence.
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