The impact of a car accident can be devastating. Not only are there immediate injuries that need to get treated, but there are long-term repercussions that can have life-altering effects.
Rear-end car accidents happen when one vehicle crashes into another from behind. Although they’re common because of the number of cars on the road at any given time, they can also be very serious if not handled correctly by emergency responders. That is because victims can suffer serious injuries to their necks, backs, and spines.
Contact 1-800-Injured To Find a Rear-End Accident Attorney Near You
1-800-Injured is an attorney and medical referral service. We can connect you with a car accident attorney in your area who is experienced in handling rear-end hit and run accidents.
The people who most commonly file rear-end car accident lawsuits are those who have suffered personal injury or wrongful death as a result of another person’s negligence. By taking legal action, they may be able to seek compensation for their medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, emotional distress, or any permanent disabilities that resulted from the crash.
After a rear-end collision, it’s crucial to get the legal advice of a seasoned injury lawyer immediately. You may want to talk to more than one attorney before you make your decision; the lawyers who we refer offer free initial consultations, so it won’t cost you anything to meet with them and discuss your case.
Common Injuries Caused by Rear-End Collisions
In a rear-end car accident, whiplash is the injury that will most likely occur. It occurs when the neck is suddenly snapped backward and then forwards. Whiplash can lead to more serious injuries, such as concussions or even cervical fractures.
In addition to whiplash, victims of a rear-end collision may also experience back pain or strain, which occurs from the impact of the accident. If there are passengers in either vehicle, they may get hurt from being thrown onto the dashboard or another passenger.
Seek Medical Treatment For All Injuries
After a car accident, you must seek immediate medical care if you believe that your injuries could potentially require treatment for anything more than minor discomfort. It’s also important that you watch for any symptoms that could indicate something more serious. Whiplash, for instance, can lead to chronic pain if it is not treated correctly after the initial incident.
While your health and recovery should be your absolute top priority, there is a secondary benefit to getting medical treatment for your injuries: each visit with a doctor will generate documentation about your injuries that your personal injury attorney needs to get you the money you rightfully deserve.
What To Do After a Rear-End Accident
A rear-end accident can cause severe damage to the cars involved. Crumpled metal and broken glass are common sights at the scene of a crash like this one. It can be easy to panic, especially as you are overwhelmed with adrenaline, so following these guidelines can be a good way to make sure that you do not miss any important steps. Keep in mind that no matter what, your health should be your main focus, and anything else that may jeopardize your health should be avoided entirely.
Prioritize Your Health and Safety
When you’re in a car accident, your first instinct might be to get out of your vehicle and check on the other people involved. Instead, wait until help arrives so that first responders can take care of everyone and cordon off the accident scene to prevent further accidents.
Call 911
In most cases, it’s advisable that you file an official statement as soon as possible after the crash. Calling 911 as soon as you can is one of the best ways to ensure that medical professionals, police, and fire fighters are dispatched to the scene to secure the area and gather information. Your statement and the resulting police report can help determine who was at fault and whether or not charges should be filed against either driver involved in the accident.
Get Medical Care
If you’re injured, seek medical attention immediately. If the other party was cited for their role in causing the accident, you could use that information to your advantage; this evidence will also help your case if you decide to file legal action against them after your injury has healed.
Contact an Attorney
If the other party is cited for their role in causing a rear-end collision, they may face fines and penalties from a criminal court and a civil court. Regardless of how your claim is structured, working with a lawyer is an important decision to make.
What Are Some Causes of Rear-End Accidents?
Some common causes of rear-end automobile accidents include:
• Driving too closely behind another vehicle so that it is impossible to stop in time
• When one car slows down quickly, and the other does not slow down or swerve in time
• Driving too closely behind a large vehicle, such as a bus or semi-truck
• Relying on faulty sensors to determine whether it’s safe for the driver to move forward
• Making an emergency stop without warning and causing the other driver to crash
The most common car accidents involve collisions between two vehicles where one party is at fault. This type of accident results in what is called a “third-party liability claim.” When you file this kind of claim, your insurance company will not be involved; only the person who caused the damage will be required to compensate you for your damages.