A rear-end collision typically means the front end of one vehicle collided with a different vehicle’s back-end. Although, another way to think of rear-end accidents is that some vehicle, whatever part of it, collides with the back of another. Rear-end crashes occur for numerous reasons, and we accept claims involving all sorts of scenarios, including:
- Being rear-ended while stopped: Many rear-end crashes occur when one vehicle stops and the vehicle following it does not stop soon enough, crashing into the back end. This can happen when the following vehicle’s driver is speeding, tailgating, distracted, or not paying attention in his driving.
- Being rear-ended while parked: Many rear-end accidents happen when a vehicle is in traffic but stopped. Our rear-end accident lawyers Marietta also represent vehicle owners whose cars were rear-ended while they were parked. Your vehicle could be rear-ended while you were parked in a store’s parking lot or while you parked your vehicle on the street in front of your house.
- Being rear-ended while moving: Another possible scenario is that you are rear-ended while the car is in motion. This can happen when a driver behind you is speeding, tailgating you, fails to pay attention, or tries to stop but has too little friction between the pavement and their tires. Lack of friction and skidding is an issue when it rains.
Whatever your situation, if you believe your current injuries are the other driver’s fault, contact us today.
What to Do When You Get Rear-Ended
If you are rear-ended, it is best to take certain steps to improve your chance of receiving fair compensation through an insurance claim. To begin with, consider your own injuries. If you are seriously hurt, call 911 and wait for first responders to arrive before moving. If you are not seriously hurt, you can get out of the vehicle and get to a safe place.
If you are physically well, you should still call the police. You want the accident to be documented and reported for the upcoming insurance claim. While waiting for the police, exchange information with the other driver. Obtain their name, address, and phone number. Ask to see their license and insurance card. Write down their license number and their insurance company and policy number.
Before the police arrive or while waiting at the accident scene, consider writing down everything you can remember leading up to the accident. Write down the day, time, and road and weather conditions. Write down what you were doing just before the crash and what you observed.
Be cognizant of how you feel. You may not think you need to go to the emergency room or a doctor right away. However, you may have a headache after being rear-ended. You might also experience pain, soreness, or other issues with your neck and shoulders, which may be signs of whiplash. Another possibility is experienced lower back pain after being rear-ended, which could be signs of a serious back injury. Because of the likelihood of experiencing an injury in a rear-end crash, you see a doctor as soon as possible.