If you have ever been rear-ended, you know how scary and traumatic the experience can be. Whether you are sitting at a red light, pulling into a parking lot, or driving down the highway, you never know when you’ll be in a rear-end accident.
While the experience is unpleasant under any circumstance, it becomes that much more miserable if it happens during a bad storm or in the dark of night.
We will go over the basic steps needed to take after getting rear-ended. Knowing what to do will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Checking for Injuries
After a rear-end accident, it is important to check for injuries. If you are hurt, seek medical attention right away. Even if you feel fine, it is a good idea to see a doctor or go to the emergency room to get checked out.
You may have injuries that are not immediately apparent, and it is better to be safe than sorry.
Gathering Information With Drivers and Witnesses
Once you’re sure everyone is okay, you can start gathering information. Get the other driver’s name, insurance information, and license plate number.
If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers. Take photos of the damage to both vehicles, and write down anything you remember about how the accident happened.
The more information you have, the easier it will be to file a claim with the insurance companies. You may contact these car accident lawyers if you need to file a lawsuit.
Move Safety After Getting Rear-ended
The most important thing to do is to move to a safe place. If you can, drive your car to the side of the road. If your car is not driveable, turn on your hazard lights and try to get to a safe place off of the road.
Once you are in a safe place, assess the damage to your car and to yourself. If you are injured, call 911. If the damage to your car is minor, exchange insurance information with the other driver and file a police report.
Don’t Admit Fault
It is important not to admit fault. This can be used against you later in court. Fault can be difficult to determine after a rear-end collision, so it’s best not to say anything that could be interpreted as an admission of guilt.
Call Your Insurance Agent
The first thing you should do is call your insurance agent. Your agent will be able to help you file a claim and get the repair process started.
Rear-end collisions can be expensive to repair, so it’s important to have good insurance coverage. Your agent will also be able to help you if the other driver was at fault and you need to file a lawsuit to follow the car accident laws.
Safety Is the Best Policy
After getting rear-ended, you should always pull over to a safe location, turn on your hazard lights, and call the police. If you have any injuries, be sure to seek medical attention right away.
You should also call your insurance company to report the accident and begin the claims process.
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Piran is the bestselling author of the Zobuz, TheHearus and other well known Blogs. Her books have sold hundred of copies and are published in different languages.
