Kelly & West News

5 Steps to Take if You are in a Rear-End Collision

With rear-end collisions being the most common car accident, you are probably familiar
with them or may have even experienced one. Rear-end collisions occur when a
vehicle crashes into another car directly in front of it. These accidents are generally the
fault of the last vehicle in the collision. Most law enforcement officers will cite that driver
since, had that driver been more careful or followed less closely, the accident would not
have occurred.

In the unfortunate event that you are in a rear-end collision, you should know what steps
to take directly following the accident and whom to call if you have suffered any losses.

1. Call the police. Call 911 and have a police officer come to the scene. A police
officer can assess the situation and file a police report. A police report will create
documentation of the collision and details how the accident occurred and who is
at fault. The insurance company usually requires this information before they
pay a claim.

2. Seek medical attention. Even if you don’t think you are hurt, be sure to seek
medical attention. Some injuries, such as internal injuries, are not immediately
apparent, so you want to be sure that you do not have a significant problem and
don’t know it. It’s a good idea to be checked out, just in case.

3. Exchange information and speak to witnesses. If both drivers cooperate and
are willing to talk, you can exchange contact information to resolve the claim
more efficiently. Share insurance company names and write down the
information about that person’s vehicle. If there are any witnesses, collect their
info and ask if they can provide a statement. Witness statements can be
beneficial if you end up having to go to court.

4. Take photos. Take photos of both cars and the scene if you can. You want to
take pictures that document the damage to your vehicle, both up close and from
a distance. We recommend you also take photos of the other car, as this may be
the only chance you can obtain these photos. Also, take pictures of the scene
and any marks on the road. This helps document what happened and can be
helpful to send to the insurance company later.

5. Contact a personal injury lawyer. Contacting a Personal Injury Lawyer is the
last but most crucial step. A Personal Injury Lawyer can help you gain the
compensation you deserve for the accident. We can guide you through the
process and make sure you are compensated for your losses. You may want to
hire a Personal Injury Lawyer early so your attorney can preserve evidence and
document your claim from the outset.

If you are involved in a rear-end collision and suffer physical or financial loss, contact
our office at Kelly & West. Our experienced lawyers are here for you.