You're Safe with Drake - California's Premier Personal Injury Attorneys
Rear-end accidents are among the most common types of car collisions and are on the rise in the San Fernando Valley area. These collisions occur when one vehicle is struck from behind ("rear-ended") by another vehicle. These collisions can result in serious injuries. A rear-end collision attorney helps those injuries in a rear-end accident 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 car collision lawyers in San Fernando Valley.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a car behind you, it is most likely that the other driver is at fault. If you rear-ended a vehicle in front of you, you may be at fault, unless the individual behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another car.
Other Motorist
The motorist behind you may 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 car to be able to stop safely if traffic in front of it slows down or comes to a complete stop. If a vehicle is unable to stop without rear-ending another car, it might be assumed that the motorist of that vehicle was not driving as safely as he or she could have been.
Proving Fault
There are many ways to establish liability in a rear end collision. 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 a description of the collision. Lastly, physical evidence such as damage to the car and skid marks on the street can help establish fault.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended by Another Vehicle
In the moments after a car collision, it is likely that you will be under a lot of stress. You might be confused, lightheaded, or even physically hurt. It is for that reason vital that you understand what to do ahead of time to increase your odds at a fast recovery.
1. Get Medical Care
After you have been rear-ended by another car, it is important that you contact emergency services as soon as possible. In a number of rear-end collision situations, the motorist of the front car does not experience pain right away after the collision occurs. However, it is possible for pain and aching to set in hours or even days after the crash. 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 useful when making a claim as your medical reports will show the injuries you sustained.
2. Report the Collision
The next step is to report the collision to the police. Police officers will submit an accident report which will record all pertinent elements of the accident, including the parties involved, the location of the accident, and the time and date of the collision. Importantly, police officers might be able to gather statements from bystanders that were able to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Collision
A crucial step that is frequently forgotten by people that were rear-ended is to document the collision and to keep a thorough and organized record of all documents or materials relating to the accident. Ideally, take photos of the scene of the collision after it occurred. Keep copies of police reports, medical records, and car repair shop estimates in an organized file. Documenting this evidence will make it much easier to establish your case against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Contact a Vehicle Collision Lawyer
Finally, you should get in touch with a car collision attorney. The recovery and settlement process with the other motorist or the other motorist's insurance company is usually time-consuming and frustrating. A car accident attorney can alleviate the burden of this process by dealing with essential tasks such as speaking to witnesses and conducting investigations into the accident. A car accident attorney will also be able to guide you with the settlement or litigation process and will be there to provide you legal advice regarding complicated legal issues such as negligence.
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