What to Do After a Rear-End Accident
Rear-end car accidents are one of the most commonly-occurring types of motor vehicle accidents. Given how prevalent rear-end collisions are, it is important that you know what to do if you find yourself involved in a rear-end crash, whether you were the victim of a rear-end collision or you were the driver who rear-ended someone else.
Steps to Take When You Were Rear-Ended
If you were rear-ended by another vehicle, steps you should take to ensure your and everyone else’s safety and to protect your legal rights and options include:
- Check yourself and other occupants of your vehicle for any apparent injuries, and check on the occupants of the vehicle that rear-ended you and any other vehicles involved in the accident.
- Use your cell phone to document the accident scene. Take photos or video of details such as damage to the vehicles involved in the crash, the traffic signs and signals at the scene (for example, were you stopped at a stop sign or traffic light?), the presence of any skid marks on the road, and weather and traffic conditions.
- Speak to the other driver or drivers involved in the accident and exchange contact and insurance information. Also try to get the contact information for any bystanders who may have witnessed the accident.
- Contact law enforcement at the scene and report the accident, or file an accident report immediately after the crash. If police respond to the scene, make sure to get a copy of the police report.
- Notify your insurance company that you were involved in an accident. In New Jersey, you may be entitled to personal injury protection coverage to help pay for medical bills or lost wages from missed work due to the accident.
Common Injuries Sustained in a Rear-End Car Accident
The injuries resulting from a rear-end car accident can be catastrophic and may require ongoing medical care. The most common injuries sustained in a rear-end car accident are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Lacerations
- Nerve injuries
- Whiplash
- And more
Even if you feel fine after the accident, many of these injuries may not appear right away, making it difficult to diagnose how badly you were really hurt. This is why, after a rear-end car accident, you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Just because you feel fine, doesn’t mean you necessarily are.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer Near You to Discuss Your Car Accident Case in New Jersey
Were you or a loved one injured due to a rear-end car accident in New Jersey? Don’t let the medical bills pile up while you wait for the negligent party or their insurance company to do the right thing. Right now, you need an aggressive personal injury attorney on your side, fighting to get you the compensation you need, want, and deserve. The skilled attorneys at Drazin and Warshaw, P.C. represent clients injured because of car accidents in Middlesex, Edison, Perth Amboy, Westfield, New Brunswick, and throughout Ocean County, Monmouth County, Union County, and Middlesex County, New Jersey. Call (732) 576-8860 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a consultation about your case. We have an office conveniently located at 3315 Route 35, Hazlet, NJ 07730 as well as offices in Red Bank, Brick, and Westfield.
The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.
