After A Rear End Collision
By Derek
May. 14, 2019 10:35a
Rear end car and truck accidents happen every single day in Long Island, New York. The collision can occur while you are stopped at a red light or stop sign or even when traffic slows due to congestion on the highway. Rear-end accidents are the most common car accident.
Generally, the operator of the vehicle that hit you in the rear will be at fault for causing the crash. There are, however, exceptions to that general rule and there are always two sides to a story. Dealing with the aftermath of being struck in the rear can be overwhelming if you do not know what to do. I hope the following information will give you some guidance on how to best proceed.
The First Steps After an Auto Collision When it is Not Your Fault.
If the accident is not your fault taking specific steps can help document the collision, and also protects your financial interests if you make a claim against the other party.
Right After the Accident
If you are injured, making sure you get immediate medical assistance should be your priority. If you are able, checking on others in your car and the other vehicles involved in the crash to make sure those who need medical help can get it. If someone is injured, do not move the injured person unless you have no alternative to keep them safe.
Necessary Information to Get at the Scene
If the driver who struck you in the rear is definitely at fault for the accident, you will want to make sure you get information from them regarding their insurance coverage and driver’s license. Many folks make the mistaken assumption that merely because it’s the other person’s fault, they will handle contacting their insurance company and be honest about the situation. Getting the information upfront can save many headaches later on in dealing with a claim.
The following is the minimum information you should get at the scene if you are able:
A photograph of the insurance card for the other driver
A photo of the other driver’s license
The telephone number of the other driver
The name and phone number of any witness to the collision
Photographs of the vehicles resting position and damage
Call the Police
If the accident is more than the fender bender contacting the police to document the crash with the report can save hours of time dealing with an adverse insurance company. The truth is that accidents without a crash report are much more challenging to settle reasonably than those documenting the crash and showing fault. Individual portions of the police report will be admissible in a court of law, and other parts may not be. If the accident is substantial, calling the police should always be done.
At the Hospital
If you are transported by ambulance to the hospital or if you otherwise go to the hospital after the accident you should communicate every area of injury even though some areas may be worse than others. Often, we focus on where the pain is the worst, and it masks pain in other parts of our body. Sometimes, areas that don’t hurt on the day of the crash turned out to be chronic injuries.
People should understand that hospital emergency rooms are for treating emergencies. If your injury is not life-threatening or requires immediate surgery, most likely you will be discharged with instructions to follow up with another doctor. Being released from the hospital does not mean you are okay.
If you don’t go to the hospital but have pain that does not go away in a day or two, you should seek medical treatment and get whatever testing is necessary for your injuries. Toughing it out is something that we frequently see from car accident victims and it not only hurts their recovery, but it damages their legal claim.
The longer you wait for the necessary treatment, the more defense you are giving to the insurance company for the other driver.
Get a Lawyer to Evaluate your Rear-End Accident Injury Claim.
The more severe your injury, the more likely it is you will need anexperienced accident attorney to help you through the process. Whether it is dealing with the adverse insurance carrier, liability issues or the payback for health insurance or hospital liens, attorneys often necessary to advance a claim.
Attorneys will evaluate your claim at no cost to you when they handle cases on a contingency fee basis. The attorney might not elect to represent you, but they can still give you essential and valuable guidance. If you will hire an attorney to help you through the process, always investigate the attorney to make sure that they are personal injury lawyers and are competent to handle the case you have. Always look first for an attorney in the city where the crash took place.
Contact Bragoli & Associates today to speak with an experienced New York state personal injury lawyer.