Have you been involved in a rear-end car accident because someone was following too closely? Were you injured due to that driver’s negligence? One of the most common accidents on the road is a rear-end accident and they tend to result in a number of different types of injuries such as whiplash and head injuries. If you or a loved one has been injured in a rear-end accident it is imperative that you contact an experienced car accident attorney to help you through this difficult time.
What is a Rear-end Collision?
Rear-end accidents are extremely common. It occurs when a driver is hit from behind by another car. This typically occurs because the front driver comes to a sudden stop and the back driver is following too closely, and does not have time to stop their vehicle.
The Dangers of Following Too Closely
It is estimated that 30 percent of the accidents that are reported in this country are rear-end accidents. Most of these accidents occur because a person was following too closely. It is a good idea to follow a two full car length rule, so that you have ample space between you and the vehicle in front of you. If you are driving in heavy fog, snow or sleet, then you will need to double this space. If weather or conditions are very bad it may be a good idea to pull your car safely to the side of the road and wait for the dangerous driving conditions to pass.
What You Will Need to Do After a Rear-End Accident
The most important thing that you can do after an accident is to seek medical attention. There are several reasons you will need to get medical attention. First and foremost, you want to make sure that you are okay. Keep in mind that it is possible for you to have an injury and not show any symptoms initially. An experienced car accident attorney will be able to assist you with finding proper medical treatment from medical professionals who deal with car accident victims on a regular basis. They will know what medical procedures to administer and how to properly document your injuries. This is very helpful for your car accident case.
You will want to make sure you have the police come to your rear-end accident so that you can have a police report to add to your legal case. It is also a good idea to exchange contact information with the other party. The statements that the other driver makes are also important.
Getting eye witness accounts of what occurred is also very important. So if you are able, getting witness accounts is important, as is making sure that you obtain their contact information so that they can be contacted in the future.
You will also want to take pictures with your phone so that your attorney is able to recreate the accident scene if necessary. Taking a video of the scene with your phone is also a good idea. An experienced car accident attorney can also assist you in obtaining video of the actual accident if it occurred in an intersection that has video surveillance or if there are local businesses that have security cameras on the outside of their buildings.
You will need to obtain legal representation. Insurance companies may fight hard to make sure that you are not compensated. The other driver may also decide to hire their own car accident attorney. Your attorney can protect your rights. They can also get compensation for the injuries that you have suffered.
How Rear-End Accidents can be Avoided
In addition to maintaining a safe following distance, there are several things that you can do to avoid a rear-end accident. You will need to be mindful of your surroundings at all times. If someone is following too closely, then you should change lanes if possible.
You will also need to slow down when you make a turn and use turn signals. Furthermore, you will need to make sure that your headlights are in working condition.
Why the Back Driver May Not be at Fault
In most cases, the person who was in the back is at fault because they are the ones who hit the car. However, there are some cases where the back driver may not be held liable for the accident. For example, the back driver may have a justifiable reason for hitting the front car, for example the driver in front may be drunk, they may have brake lights that are not functioning, they may be trying to get hit or they put their car in reverse and drove backwards into the vehicle behind them.
As stated above a rear-end accident is one of the most common types of car accidents on the road. This accident also causes a number of painful injuries. An experienced car accident attorney deals with these accidents on a regular basis and are a great resource for helping you not only deal with your injuries and loss of vehicle, but also in maximizing your claim.
If you are in need of a car accident lawyer, then you will need to give our law offices a call. You will be able to reach us at one of the following numbers.
Arlington (817) 522-4451
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McKinney (469) 522-3688
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Grapevine (817) 835-8677
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You can also contact us online by using our quick contact form.
