Rear-end accidents are among the most prevalent types of car collisions and are on the rise in the Los Angeles area. These collisions take place when one vehicle is struck from behind (" rear-ended") by another vehicle. These accidents can cause serious injuries. A rear-end accident lawyer helps those injuries in a rear-end collision 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 car collision attorneys in 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 might be at fault, unless the motorist behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another car.
Other Motorist
The driver 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 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 not able to stop without rear-ending another car, it might be presumed that the motorist of that vehicle was not acting as safely as they could have been.
Proving Fault
There are several ways to determine liability in a rear end accident. 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 an explanation 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 Car
In the moments after a car collision, it is likely that you will be under much stress. You may be confused, lightheaded, or even physically hurt. It is for that reason essential that you know what to do in advance to increase your odds of a quick recovery.
1. Seek Medical Care
After you have been rear-ended by another vehicle, it is essential that you contact emergency services as soon as possible. In plenty of rear-end collision cases, the motorist of the front car does not experience pain right away after the collision takes place. However, it is possible for pain and aching to set in hours or even days after the crash. Getting medical attention after a rear-end accident is therefore very important for preventing and maintaining 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 accident to the police. Police officers will file an accident report which will document all pertinent aspects of the collision, including the parties involved, the location of the accident, as well as the time and date of the collision. Importantly, police officers might be able to gather statements from onlookers who were able to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Collision
An important step that is commonly forgotten by individuals who were rear-ended is to document the collision and to maintain a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials pertaining to the accident. If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident after it occurred. Keep copies of police reports, medical records, and vehicle repair shop estimates in an organized file. Recording this evidence will make it a lot easier to establish your claim against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Call a Vehicle Collision Lawyer
Finally, you should get in touch with a vehicle collision attorney. The recovery and negotiation process with the other motorist or the other motorist's insurance company is commonly time-consuming and aggravating. A vehicle collision lawyer can ease the stress of this process by taking care of important tasks such as talking to witnesses and performing investigations into the accident. A vehicle collision lawyer will also be able to guide you through the settlement or litigation process and will be there to provide you legal guidance regarding complex 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!
