Rear-end accidents are among the most frequent kinds of vehicle accidents and are on the rise in the Monterey Park area. These accidents take place when one vehicle is struck from behind ("rear-ended") by another vehicle. These accidents can cause serious injuries. A rear-end accident attorney helps those injuries in a rear-end accident get compensation.
If you or a loved one has been hurt, call Mendez & Sanchez at (323) 838-1444 for a free consultation with our rear-end car accident lawyers in Monterey Park.
Who is at Fault?
If you have been rear-ended by a car behind you, it is most likely that the other motorist is at fault. If you rear-ended a vehicle in front of you, you might be at fault, unless the person behind you hit you and caused you to rear-end another vehicle.
Other Motorist
The driver behind you might be deemed liable if they failed to stop in time as traffic slowed down or stopped. This is because the rules of the road require a vehicle to be able to stop safely if traffic in front of it slows down or comes to a complete stop. If a car is not able to stop without rear-ending another car, it may be assumed that the motorist of that car was not acting as safely as he or she could have been.
Proving Fault
There are many ways to prove liability in a rear end collision. One way is relying on eyewitness testimony from individuals who were at the scene when the accident happened. Another good way of supporting a claim is to look to the police report for an explanation of the accident. Finally, physical evidence such as damage to the vehicle and skid marks on the street can help establish fault.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended by Another Car
In the moments after a car collision, it is likely that you will be under much stress. You may be confused, dizzy, or even physically hurt. It is for that reason important that you understand what to do ahead of time to increase your odds at a fast recovery.
1. Get Medical Care
After you have been rear-ended by another vehicle, it is important that you contact emergency services as soon as possible. In plenty of rear-end collision situations, the motorist of the front car does not experience pain immediately after the collision occurs. However, it is possible for pain and aching to set in hours or even days after the collision. Getting medical care after a rear-end collision is for that reason very important for preventing and preserving your health and well-being. It will also be useful when making a claim as your medical reports will confirm the injuries you received.
2. Report the Accident
The next step is to report the collision to the authorities. Police officers will file an accident report which will document all pertinent aspects of the accident, including the parties involved, the location of the collision, as well as the time and date of the accident. Notably, police officers may be able to gather statements from onlookers who managed to witness the rear end accident.
3. Document the Accident
An important step that is often forgotten by individuals that were rear-ended is to document the accident and to maintain a detailed and organized record of all documents or materials pertaining to the crash. If possible, take photos of the scene of the accident after it happened. Keep copies of police reports, medical records, and auto repair shop estimates in an organized file. Recording this evidence will make it much easier to establish your claim against the party that rear-ended you.
4. Get in Touch with a Car Collision Lawyer
Lastly, you need to call a vehicle accident lawyer. The recovery and negotiation process with the other driver or the other driver's insurer is commonly time-consuming and frustrating. A vehicle collision lawyer can ease the stress of this process by dealing with important tasks such as contacting witnesses and conducting investigations into the collision. A car accident attorney will also be able to guide you through the settlement or litigation process and will be there to offer you legal guidance regarding complicated legal issues such as negligence.
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While other firms just handle your bodily injury claim, we offer a complimentary full-service package where we will also handle your property damage for no fee!
