Any type of motor vehicle accident can cause significant property and physical damage. But victims may experience specific types of harm when they are in a car hit from behind.
Rear-end collisions often cause damage to the vehicle in front. No matter which vehicle you were in at the time of the crash, it is a good idea to speak with a car accident lawyer.
One of the skilled attorneys at Morgan & Morgan will gladly review the facts of your case to help you determine the best course of action. If you were hurt while driving a car hit from behind, you might be owed compensation.
The accomplished car accident lawyers at Morgan and Morgan have decades of experience fighting for victims of rear-end collisions. When we take your case, we will work tirelessly to recover the money to which you are rightfully entitled.
Victims of rear-end crashes often experience staggering medical expenses, lost income, and other financial costs. You should not be accountable for these losses if another person’s actions caused them.
Fortunately, the team at Morgan & Morgan is standing by to help. Schedule a free case evaluation with our knowledgeable professionals by completing the easy-to-use contact form on our website. We will fight for your rights in the aftermath of your accident or injury.
Steps After a Rear-End Accident
The moments after a collision are typically confusing and chaotic. Rear-end collisions often occur with no warning to the driver in the front vehicle.
When you have come to a stop or slowed your car, being hit from behind can happen with no notice. Motorists usually do not have time to prepare or react to minimize the damage.
In the moments after a rear-end collision, it is vital to take steps to ensure your safety and protect your legal rights. Right after the crash happens, take the following actions:
Check for Injuries
The physical safety of those involved is the most important issue in the moments after a crash. Check yourself and others for any evidence of physical injuries.
If you are seriously hurt, do not attempt to move before medical professionals arrive. Do not attempt to move anyone who has sustained a serious injury.
Contact medical responders if anyone has been physically harmed in the rear-end crash. Calling 911 is a good way to request an ambulance at the scene of the collision.
There are many types of injuries that victims of rear-end crashes may sustain. Back and spine injuries are common in this kind of accident.
Contact Law Enforcement
After you have checked yourself and others for physical injuries, contact the police. In many states, it is a legal requirement to report your accident to local law enforcement.
Some statutes require you to report collisions that result in injuries or a specific amount of property damage. Regardless of the legal requirements, it is a good idea to contact law enforcement.
The responding officers will draft an accident report detailing the incident. If a legal claim results from the accident, this document will serve as useful evidence.
A police accident report is an objective third-party account of the collision. Having a copy of this report will ensure that the other party cannot downplay their contribution to the crash.
Police accident reports often contain the following vital information:
- Time, location, and date of the crash
- Relevant road and weather conditions
- Physical descriptions or diagrams of the collision
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Statements from those involved — including drivers and passengers
- Descriptions of the vehicles involved
A skilled car accident lawyer will leverage the information in the police accident report to bolster your claim. This document can help to corroborate your account of the collision and determine legal liability.
If you were in a car hit from behind, make sure to request a copy of the police accident report. The Morgan & Morgan tort attorneys can help you obtain this important piece of legal evidence.
Gather Evidence of the Collision
As time passes, it will become more difficult to remember relevant facts and details from your collision. Car accidents happen quickly, and the moments after can leave you disoriented.
Because of this, it is critical to collect information and evidence before leaving the scene of the accident. The following evidence will be useful in any resulting tort claim:
- Notes detailing your personal experience
- License plate numbers of all vehicles
- Names and contact information for eyewitnesses
- Descriptions of obstacles or relevant roadway features
- Photos and videos of all resulting injuries
- Photos and videos of all resulting property damage
The more information you collect about your rear-end crash, the better. A skilled car accident lawyer will use all the available evidence to recover the money to which you are entitled.
Contact Your Insurance Company
It is important to report the accident to your insurance company as soon as possible. However, you should remember that insurance providers are not working purely in your best interests.
These corporations boost their bottom lines by denying claims and devaluing the harm that victims experience. You should not attempt to negotiate with an adjuster without the guidance of a seasoned legal professional.
Insurance adjusters often employ tactics to lure claimants into undermining their own recovery. For example, you might respond that you are “fine” when an adjuster asks how you are.
In a normal conversation, this would only be a polite response. However in a discussion with an insurance adjuster, this response might be used as evidence that your injury is not as severe as you claim.
Do not let this happen to you. Secure legal guidance from a member of the Morgan & Morgan legal team.
Speak With a Car Accident Lawyer
If you believe that the rear-end accident was the result of another party’s negligent behavior, do not hesitate. Reach out to the accomplished team at Morgan & Morgan.
When we agree to represent you, our skilled car accident attorneys will handle the following parts of your case:
- Collecting and cataloging relevant evidence
- Determining which laws and statutes apply in your case
- Calculating an appropriate settlement or recovery amount
- Gathering documentation — including accident reports and medical records
- Consulting with accident specialists and experts
- Determining who is legally liable for damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf
- Representing you in hearings or a resulting trial
Although it is not a legal requirement to hire a lawyer, doing so will give you the best chance of recovering compensation. Victims who represent themselves usually settle for much less than the full value of their rear-end accident claim.