Rear-end accidents are one of the most frequent kinds of vehicle accidents and are on the rise in the Woodland Hills area. These collisions happen when one vehicle is struck from behind (" rear-ended") by another car. These accidents can result in severe injuries. A rear-end accident attorney helps those injuries in a rear-end collision seek compensation.

If you or a loved one has been injured, call Drake Law Firm at (323) 838-1444 for a free consultation with our rear-end vehicle collision attorneys in Woodland Hills.

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 person behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another car.

Other Motorist

The driver behind you may be deemed 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 complete stop. If a vehicle is unable to stop without rear-ending another vehicle, it may be assumed that the motorist of that car was not acting as safely as they could have been.

Proving Fault

There are several ways to determine responsibility in a rear end accident. One way is turning to eyewitness testimony from people 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. Lastly, physical evidence such as damage to the car and skid marks on the street 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 a lot of stress. You might be confused, lightheaded, or even physically hurt. It is therefore vital that you understand what to do in advance to increase your odds at a fast 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 a number of rear-end collision situations, the driver of the front vehicle does not experience pain right away after the accident takes place. However, it is possible for pain and aching to arise hours or even days after the crash. Seeking medical care after a rear-end accident 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 records will prove the injuries you sustained.

2. Report the Collision

The next step is to report the accident to the police. Police officers will submit an accident report which will document all relevant aspects of the accident, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, as well as 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 collision.

3. Document the Accident

An essential step that is frequently overlooked by people that were rear-ended is to document the collision and to maintain a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials associated with the crash. Ideally, take photos of the scene of the accident after it happened. 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. Call a Vehicle Accident Lawyer

Lastly, you need to get in touch with a car accident lawyer. The recovery and negotiation process with the other driver or the other driver's insurance company is usually time-consuming and aggravating. A vehicle accident lawyer can alleviate the burden of this process by handling important tasks such as speaking to witnesses and conducting investigations into the collision. A vehicle collision attorney will also be able to guide you through the settlement or litigation process and will be there to provide you legal advice concerning complex legal issues such as negligence.