By Larry Weisberg on April 26th, 2018
Any type of rear end accident can lead to substantial property damage as well as severe injuries — or even worse. Compensation can range from enough to repair your car all the way up to cover lost wages, property damage, medical bills and pain and suffering.
If you have been involved in a rear-end collision in, get in touch with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as you can.
Download our printable checklist to put right in your glovebox as a guide after being involved in a car accident or send it to friends and family.
Who Is at Fault After Being Rear-Ended?
In most instances, the person who is at fault after a rear end accident is the driver who hit the car ahead of him or her. However, that’s not always the case. Take, for example, a collision involving more than two vehicles. The first one hits the rear of the second one, which then hits the rear of the third one. The driver of the second car did, in fact, collide with the third vehicle, but that driver was merely caught in a chain reaction.
There are other exceptions to the general rule as well. The car that was rear-ended might have had broken or malfunctioning brake lights, or may have pulled out of a parking lot or driveway in a reckless manner.
Determining Compensation
Once it is determined who is at fault after being rear-ended, a rear end accident attorney will then try to figure out the worth of the case. This is done by determining the damages, or compensation, the driver who was not at fault is entitled to. Among other things, these can include:
- Property damage
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Compensation for pain and suffering
Property damage will usually be obvious, such as a broken rear bumper. In some cases, however, the damage may be more difficult to see, such as a bent frame. That’s why you need to take your vehicle to a trusted mechanic who can perform a thorough inspection. There could also have been items inside the car that could have been damaged due to the force of the collision.
A rear end collision can also lead to injuries and substantial medical expenses. An injury such as whiplash, for example, may not be apparent. Symptoms might not show up for several days. Medical damages may include:
- Ambulance rides
- Hospital stays
- Visits to the doctor’s office
Lost wages can also result due to time missed from work because of an injury. You can also lose pay because your car is damaged and you can’t get to work for a few days. When you provide your attorney with pay stubs, they will easily be able to determine how much money you’ve lost due to time from work you’ve missed.
When to Speak With an Attorney
After a collision or any other type of accident, anyone who has been hurt should seek medical attention. The vehicles should be removed from the road, if possible, and the police must be called. If possible, try to find any witnesses to the accident and get their contact information.
If there is only minor damage after a collision, you and the other driver will likely only need to exchange contact and insurance information. But if you or anyone else involved in the accident have been injured in any way, you should talk to a lawyer before making any statements or agreeing to sign any releases.
You’re not legally obligated to contact your insurance company immediately, but you should get in touch with them as soon as you can. In some cases, an insurer will make it very difficult for a policyholder to obtain a payment, but an attorney can help you deal with an insurance company so you obtain a fair settlement for the damages you have incurred.
Get a free consultation with Weisberg Cummings, P.C., as soon as you can if you live in or near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania or throughout the state.