Rear-end collisions are one of the most prevalent kinds of vehicle collisions and are on the rise in the East Los Angeles area. These collisions take place when one vehicle is struck from behind (" rear-ended") by another vehicle. These accidents can result in severe injuries. A rear-end collision attorney helps those injuries in a rear-end accident get compensation.
If you or a loved one has been hurt, call Mendez & Sanchez at (323) 838-1444 for a free consultation with our rear-end vehicle collision attorneys in East Los Angeles.
Who Is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a vehicle behind you, it is very 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 motorist behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another vehicle.
Other Motorist
The motorist behind you may be deemed at fault 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 not able to stop without rear-ending another car, it may be assumed that the motorist of that vehicle was not driving as safely as they could have been.
Proving Fault
There are a number of ways to determine responsibility in a rear-end accident. One way is relying on eyewitness testimony from people that were at the scene when the collision happened. Another good way of supporting a case is to look to the police report for a description of the collision. Finally, physical evidence such as damage to the vehicle and skid marks on the road can help determine fault.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended by Another Car
In the moments following a vehicle accident, it is likely that you will be under much stress. You might be confused, lightheaded, or even physically hurt. It is for that reason essential that you understand what to do in advance to increase your odds of a fast recovery.
1. Seek Medical Care
After you have been rear-ended by another vehicle, it is essential that you contact emergency services right away. In many rear-end collision situations, the driver of the front car does not experience pain right away after the accident happens. However, it is possible for pain and aching to arise hours or even days after the accident. Seeking medical attention after a rear-end collision is therefore very important for protecting and maintaining your health and well-being. It will also be helpful when making a claim as your medical records will prove the injuries you received.
2. Report the Accident
The next step is to report the accident to the police. Police officers will file an accident report which will document all relevant elements of the collision, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, and the time and date of the collision. Notably, police officers might be able to collect statements from bystanders who managed to witness the rear-end collision.
3. Document the Collision
A vital step that is often overlooked by people who were rear-ended is to document the accident and to maintain 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 auto repair shop estimates in an organized file. Documenting this evidence will make it a lot easier to establish your claim against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Contact a Car Accident Lawyer
Finally, you need to get in touch with a vehicle accident lawyer. The recovery and negotiation process with the other driver or the other driver's insurance company is usually time-consuming and frustrating. A vehicle collision lawyer can relieve the burden of this process by taking care of essential tasks such as speaking to witnesses and conducting investigations into the collision. A car accident lawyer will also be able to guide you with the settlement or litigation process and will be there to provide you legal advice concerning complicated legal issues such as negligence.
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While other firms just handle your bodily injury claim, we offer a complimentary full-service package where we will also handle your property damage for no fee!
