Rear-end accidents are some of the most common types of collisions. However, not all victims realize how serious these wrecks can be. Rear-end crashes can cause significant medical, financial, and personal problems for the victim.
Maybe you or a loved one has been in one of these accidents and you’re wondering what to do next. One critical step is to reach out to a dedicated Delray Beach car accident attorney. Steinberg Law suggests a few others as well.
Get Immediate Medical Attention
Do not delay seeing a doctor, even if you believe your injuries are minor or you weren’t hurt. Many automobile accident victims don’t appreciate the fact that even a low-speed accident can cause major injuries. You may feel relatively fine at first, but your injuries can worsen with time.
Not seeing a doctor after your accident can jeopardize your health and your legal claim. Drivers and passengers struck from behind can suffer these and other medical problems:
- Whiplash
- Herniated discs
- Neck, spine, and back injuries
- Severe headaches
- Numbness
- Paralysis.
Never assume that you haven’t been hurt in a rear-end accident. Let a doctor make that call and recommend the treatments you will need.
Call 911 and Report the Rear-End Accident
Reporting the accident to a 911 dispatcher is an obvious way to receive medical treatment. But police will also be sent to the accident scene to take a report of what occurred.
The police report is a critical element in your Delray Beach rear-end car accident case. It contains details about the wreck such as the identities of the parties involved and events leading up to it. Such information will prove useful later.
In many rear-end accidents, the at-fault driver flees from the scene. It may be tempting to chase the other driver, but don’t do it. Wait for the police to arrive and give them as many details as you can about the driver. There might be witnesses or surveillance cameras in the area that can assist. Let the police do their job in finding the driver.
Write Down Everything You Can Remember
It is imperative that you take as many notes as you can about the accident. Not only can these details help your Delray Beach automobile accident attorney build a case for you, but this step is also critical because many accident victims forget important details if they don’t write them down. Therefore, failure to make note of this information can damage your case.
As you make your notes, bear in mind some of the most common causes of rear-end accidents. If you observed any evidence of the following, you should write it down:
- Following too closely (tailgating)
- Distracted driving (for example, because of cell phone use)
- Suddenly changing lanes, especially without using a turn signal
- Decreased visibility because of the time of day, weather conditions, poor lighting, etc.
- Bad road conditions due to weather, road debris, construction, or other reasons.
Talk to Witnesses and Take Pictures of the Scene
Speak with anyone who saw what happened concerning your accident. Get their names and contact information so you can relay them to your Delray Beach rear-end car crash attorney. If you are able to do so, take pictures and record video of the accident scene. Be sure to include images of your vehicle. Err on the side of including more details as you record the damage.
Retain a Skilled Delray Beach Personal Injury Attorney
Lastly, you will need serious legal counsel to protect your rights and advocate for the compensation you deserve. That’s where Steinberg Law comes in. We fight for rear-end accident victims so they can cover their losses and get back to their lives.
Give us a call today to schedule an initial consultation with our Delray Beach injury lawyers.
