What to Do If a Car Hits You from Behind?
There are around 1.7 million rear-end collisions every year in the US, which cause 1,700 deaths and 500k injuries. Experts say that this type of collision is the most common accident on America’s roads. In Texas, there were 15,219 serious injury crashes in 2023, with one person killed every two hours and three minutes. Accidents where a vehicle was run off the road in Texas resulted in 1,368 deaths in 2023.
Getting rear-ended by another vehicle doesn’t always cause fatal injuries, but you may end up injured. Even if it's just a minor fender bender, you'll still want to take the right steps afterward to protect yourself and make sure the situation is properly handled. Here's a guide on what to do if a car hits you from behind.
Assess the Damage and Check for Injuries
The first thing to do after getting rear-ended is assess the damage and check for any injuries. Pull off the road to a safe location and get out of your car to inspect the damage. Is your vehicle still drivable or did it sustain major damage? Check to see if the bumpers, trunk, and rear lights are cracked or dented. Look for any leaking fluid under the car.
Next, check yourself and any passengers for injuries. Even in minor collisions, you can experience whiplash or other soft tissue injuries that may not be apparent right away.
Being rear-ended can lead to several common injury types even in seemingly minor collisions.
- Whiplash is one of the most frequent injuries, caused by the head jerking abruptly back and forth. This can strain the neck muscles, tendons and soft tissues. Headaches, restricted range of motion and neck pain may result.
- Back injuries like herniated discs are also common if the impact is forceful. The abrupt jolt can compress spinal discs and pinch nerves.
- More severe impacts can cause traumatic brain injuries like concussions leading to cognitive dysfunction.
- Soft tissue injuries may also occur if knees or other joints are knocked into the dashboard at the moment of impact.
Feel your neck and back for tenderness or pain. Also, watch for symptoms like headache, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, numbness, and disorientation which could indicate a concussion or other injury. If you feel any unusual pain or symptoms, get medical help right away.
Call the Police
After assessing the situation, call the police to report the accident. This is important to create an official record of what happened. Wait at the scene for the police to arrive. Be sure to get the officer's name and badge number for your records.
Cooperate with the investigating officer and answer their questions honestly. The officer will take down information about the accident, interview witnesses if any, and likely issue a ticket to the at-fault driver. Getting a police report can help protect you when filing insurance claims later.
Exchange Information
When the police arrive, exchange information with the other driver such as their name and driver's license numbers, make/model of vehicles, license plate numbers, etc.
Also, get the contact information of any passengers or witnesses to the accident. Having this documentation at the scene will ensure you have what's needed to file a claim, even if the other driver later becomes uncooperative. Make sure to take photos capturing the damage to both vehicles before leaving the scene.
Get Medical Attention Even Later On
Some accident injuries like whiplash may not manifest until hours or days later. See a doctor even if you feel fine initially so they can do an exam and note any areas of concern. Having prompt medical records will help if you need treatment down the road and make a injury claim.
Keep copies of all medical and billing documentation related to the accident. This includes ambulance fees, emergency room visits, doctor appointments, physical therapy, medical devices and any prescriptions. Submit this evidence to the insurance companies to have your medical costs covered.
Consult an Automobile Accident Lawyer
What to do if a car hits you from behind and there are injuries and/or property damage? For severe accidents with major injuries or property damage, it may be wise to consult with an experienced personal injury accident lawyer. They can help you navigate the claims process, deal with uncooperative insurers and pursue compensation if the at-fault driver's coverage is inadequate.
A car accident lawyer San Antonio can also make sure your long-term medical needs and lost income sources are accounted for. They will investigate the accident circumstances thoroughly to build the strongest case proving the other driver's liability. Having legal guidance from a San Antonio car accident lawyer can take the stress out of seeking maximum compensation after an auto accident.
Pursue Compensation from the At-Fault Driver
If the damage and injuries from the accident are significant, you may need to take legal action and pursue compensation directly from the at-fault driver. Your personal injury lawyer Texas from Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys can send a demand letter detailing your losses and how much compensation you're seeking. This gives the other driver a chance to settle out of court.
If they refuse, your vehicle accident lawyer can file a personal injury lawsuit against them. You would then provide evidence of physical and monetary damages caused by their negligence behind the wheel. A settlement or court award can recover these losses.
Getting rear-ended can sometimes be little more than a minor annoyance, especially in low-speed accidents, but following these steps will ensure you have everything documented in the aftermath. Assess the damage, get medical help, and don't hesitate to contact an attorney to protect your rights. Being proactive will put you in the best position to recover and move forward after an auto accident.
The team at Karns & Karns Personal Injury and Accident Attorneys are here to help you recover from a rear-end accident. We’ve secured settlements worth millions of dollars, so get in touch today.
Call 800-4THE-WIN (800-484-3946) for a free consultation.
