What Should I Do After Getting Rear-Ended?
A rear-end crash occurs when the car in front is hit from the back by the rear driver. Rear-end accidents can happen for various reasons, but often, such accidents occur due to negligence. In most cases, the rear driver is the one at fault for a rear-end collision.
Some common causes of rear-end collisions include:
- Tailgating
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Impaired driving
- Drowsy driving
- Faulty brakes
Rear-end collisions are quite common in the U.S. In fact, they are the most frequently occurring type of collision. It is estimated that approximately 1.7 million rear-end collisions occur on U.S. roadways every year, and about 1,700 people die in those accidents, and another 500,000 end up hurt. Some of the common injuries from rear-end accidents include;
- Head injuries
- Fractures
- Soft tissue injuries
- Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
- Facial scarring
According to the NHTSA, rear-end accidents account for approximately 29% of all accidents.
Being rear-ended in an accident can be frightening because no one is ever completely prepared for this type of accident. It is usually impossible for a driver who has been rear-ended to avoid feeling unsure of what to do after getting rear-ended. This is why, in this article, we will discuss what you should do after getting rear-ended. Keeping a checklist of what you should do after getting rear-ended can help you avoid panicking and keep you focused on what should be done.
What To Do After Getting Rear-Ended
It is crucial that you know what to do after getting rear-ended so you can protect your health and right to compensation after a rear-end collision. After being rear-ended, follow the following steps;
Check for Injuries and Seek Medical Attention
After getting rear-ended, check yourself for injuries. Once you check yourself, check everyone else in your vehicle (if there are other vehicle occupants) for injuries. After doing that, check if the other driver and their vehicle occupants (if there are any) are injured. However, only get out of your vehicle to assess the other driver if your condition allows you to do so. If there are injuries, you should call for medical help.
Even if you don’t experience any symptoms immediately after getting rear-ended, you should seek medical assistance. That is because, sometimes, injuries do not manifest themselves immediately after a rear-end crash. If you are in great shock with high adrenaline levels, you may not realize you are injured immediately after getting rear-ended, even if you are injured.
Call the Police
You will also want to contact the police immediately after getting rear-ended. In Florida, it is part of the law for car accident victims to contact the police if a collision results in injuries, death, or property damage of at least $500. However, even if you think yours is a case of a minor fender-bender, it is a good idea for you to notify the police. It is crucial to have a police report of your accident.
Exchange Information
Florida law dictates that drivers exchange information after an accident. Therefore, after getting rear-ended, you need to give the other driver as much relevant information as possible and obtain as much relevant information from the other driver.
Below is some of the information drivers need to exchange after a rear-end crash include;
- Full names
- Addresses
- Phone numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
- License plate numbers
- Insurance information
If the other driver doesn’t want to cooperate, you can get information that doesn’t require their cooperation, such as the make, model, and color of their car and license plate number.
Gather Evidence
It is crucial for you to gather evidence immediately after getting rear-ended. After getting rear-ended, take pictures and videos at the accident scene if you are able to do so. For example, take photos of the damage to the involved vehicles and road conditions. Pictures of the damages to the involved vehicles, for instance, can help in the determination of fault. Additionally, ensure you collect witnesses’ information.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney
After getting rear-ended, you should contact a car accident attorney. It is advisable that you avoid speaking to insurance companies before speaking to your attorney. This is because if you talk with an insurance adjuster without first speaking to an attorney, you may accidentally tell the adjuster something that they can use against you. For example, you might end up saying that might cause an insurance company to assign blame on you or want to pay you as little as possible. Allow an attorney to help you speak to the insurance company.
Contact a Fort Myers Car Accident Attorney
The Fort Myers car accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Marc L. Shapiro, P.A. can help you get through the stress and difficulty of a rear-end accident. We have experience dealing with cunning insurance companies and can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 239-649-8050 to schedule a consultation.
Resource:
flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/316.065
