Did you know that rear-end car accidents are the most common type of car accidents in the United States? In fact, of the six million car accidents that occur in the average year, about 40% of them involve rear-end collisions. Due to how common they are, it is important to know what to do if you are involved in one. Keep reading for advice, and then contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation.
Rear-End Accidents Can Occur in Many Ways
There are many different ways in which a rear-end accident can occur. They can happen when you are stopped at a red light, crosswalk, or stop sign and the driver behind you either does not stop or takes their foot off the brake too soon. It can occur when a driver is not paying attention and it can occur when a driver changes lanes without looking.
Initial Steps to Take After a Rear-End Accident
The first thing to do is to take a deep breath. You do not want to panic. You do not want to go into shock. Then check yourself for injuries and anyone else who was in your vehicle or the other vehicle. If anyone is injured, even slightly, then you should call the police and report the accident. If an injury seems serious, contact 911 to get emergency personnel there right away.
Gather Evidence and Contact Your Insurance Company
If it is safe to do so, you should gather as much evidence as possible. This includes pictures that show the shape of the vehicles and where they were located after the accident. Talk to the police and tell them what happened. Ask for a copy of the accident report. Get contact information from everyone involved, including witnesses. Then contact your insurance company to report the accident.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney
If there was another party at-fault for your accident, then you should contact a personal injury attorney to determine what your options are. Do not assume that the at-fault party’s insurance company is going to offer you a fair settlement. Even if they offer to pay the full value of your vehicle and all your medical bills, this is likely not a fair settlement. Why? Because you might have future medical costs. You likely missed work, used vacation time, and suffered pain and suffering. This should all be compensated.
If you are ready to talk to an attorney and find out what you should do after your rear-end accident, we invite you to contact The Law Offices of Larry H. Parker at 800-333-0000 for a free legal consultation. We are standing by to help you through this potentially difficult time.
