Rear-end accidents are quite common in Pasadena, and they tend to happen when drivers speed, tailgate, and drive distracted or under the influence of drugs and alcohol. This type of accident can occur at both high and low speeds. Most people don’t know this, but even low-speed rear-end crashes can be dangerous, and the people involved may suffer serious injuries.
A rear-end collision can happen at any time. A common example is when traffic is stop-and-go, as is the case in Pasadena during rush hour. As a road user, you may be rear-ended when sitting in traffic, or even when stopping at traffic lights.
Getting injured due to another driver’s negligence can cause you a lot of suffering, and maybe prevent you from working for long periods of time. This is why it’s such a good idea to get in touch with the experienced Pasadena car accident attorneys at Gomel & Associates. You can review your claim options with a rear-end collision attorney in Pasadena for no cost.
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What Should I Do If When I’m Involved In A Rear-End Collision?
After experiencing a rear-end collision you should take the following steps:
Call 911
The first thing you should do when you’re involved in an accident is to dial 911. It doesn’t matter the size of the accident, and it doesn’t matter whether you are injured or not: Always call 911 immediately after the collision. If there is anyone hurt, and they need medical attention, ask for an ambulance.
When the police arrive, make sure to tell them exactly what happened, and be as clear as possible, sticking to the facts. Remember to follow up and request a copy of the police’s accident report, as it will serve as evidence when you build your case. The police accident report is an official written description of the events that transpired.
Get Relevant Information Of Everyone Who Is Involved
It’s very important to get the name, address, license number, registration number and contact information of all the drivers involved in the collision. Make sure to exchange insurance information with the other drivers as well, and remember to request their insurance policy number.
After exchanging all the information, you should get the make, model and year of all vehicles involved, as well as their VIN and license plates. The VIN can be found at a vehicle’s windshield, at the corner, right where it meets the dashboard.
Record Videos And Take Photos Of The Accident Scene
If possible, it is also a good idea to record videos and take pictures of the accident scene using your phone. Try to make sure any damage to each of the vehicles involved is visible from multiple angles. Make sure to have a picture or video of tread marks and property damage, as well as any traffic signals or street signs that may be relevant to the accident.
If There Are Witnesses, Request Their Contact Information
If anyone has seen the accident happen, make sure to get their name and contact information. Ask them if they would mind writing a statement, as their testimony may serve as evidence when you file a claim.
Be Sure To Write It All Down
Last but not least, you should write down everything that transpired at the scene. It’s best to do it as soon as possible since it will still be fresh in your memory. Write down all the details of the accident, such as the time of the collision and where it happened, which way traffic was flowing during the accident, weather conditions, road hazards, and any other information you may consider relevant.
What Injuries Are Sustained By People In Rear-End Collision?
Injuries suffered by people involved in a rear-end collision can vary significantly. It all depends on how severe the accident was. Some common injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Spinal cord injury
- Broken bones
- Other internal injuries
- Brain damage
As long as they were caused for another drier’s negligence, all injuries sustained by an individual in a rear-end collision – from broken bones to spinal cord damage – qualify for compensation.
If you are involved in a rear-end collision, be sure to seek medical attention as soon as you can. Even if you don’t think you’re hurt, seeing a physician is very important and should be your first priority.
Going to the hospital is essential, not only because you may have had underlying damage that you haven’t noticed, but also because it can help your claim a lot. This is especially the case if you seek care immediately after the accident. When you’re looking to get compensated for the suffering and pain you endured because of the collision, companies may question the seriousness of the situation if you haven’t seen a doctor.
How Much Do Rear-End Collision Settlements In Pasadena Usually Pay?
The amount that victims receive as compensation for their injuries varies significantly, depending on the specifics of each accident. If you’re injured in a collision and someone else is at fault, you may receive compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain, and suffering, and a lot more.
Why Is It Important To Hire A Pasadena Rear-End Car Accident Attorney?
Rear-end collisions are a common type of accident in Pasadena. These collisions have increased throughout the last couple of years, particularly due to distracted driving, which often happens due to the use of cell phones while driving. The fact that more people text and drive today than ever has caused the number of rear-end collisions to grow by significant margins.
In most scenarios, a rear-end crash is at the fault of the driver who has rear-ended another vehicle. This is not always the case, however, given that the person who rear-ended a vehicle may have a case if there wasn’t a plausible way for them to avoid the other car.
Upfront Fees
If you are a victim in a rear-end crash, it’s best to get in touch with a Pasadena personal injury attorney from Gomel & Associates, since they will be able to help you get compensated from any injury you may have sustained from the accident.
Who Is At Fault In A Rear-End Collision?
Most people will assume that a rear-end collision is the fault of the driver who has hit the car in front of them. This makes sense, and it is almost always the case. When a motorist gets hit from behind, in most situations, the driver behind them was either driving too fast to stop in time or too distracted to notice the car in front of them coming to a stop.
Traffic laws stipulate that, whenever the leading vehicle slows down or stops, a trailing driver should safely come to a full stop. This means it is the driver’s responsibility to stay at a safe distance and pay close attention to the car in front of them.
When a rear-end crash occurs, the people involved will need to file a car accident claim in order to get compensation for their medical bills and car repairs.
What Is The Most Common Cause Of Rear-End Collisions?
A rear-end accident will usually occur in one of two scenarios: The first one is when a motorist is driving too fast, which makes it difficult for them to stop when the car in front of them suddenly decreases speed.
The second is when the driver is distracted – usually by technology, such as looking as their smartphone or paying attention to their vehicle’s infotainment system. Being distracted is a common cause for rear-end crashes, as a driver who isn’t watching the road properly will often fail to react quickly to the behavior of other vehicles.
When they’re involved in a rear-end collision, the victims of an accident may get help by hiring a traffic accident attorney. A legal expert is a good way to better get the support necessary to get compensated by the responsible party or their insurance company, so that you can cover vehicle repair or replacement, lost wages, and medical bills that come as a result of the accident.
Rear-End Collision Injury
A rear-end crash won’t always lead to injuries, but they often do. If an individual is harmed in this type of accident, they can suffer a wide variety of different kinds of injury, including neck or back damage. Neck injuries are particularly common, given that, when a vehicle is hit from behind, the neck of its occupants will jerk forward very fast, often resulting in whiplash.
The severity of the injury will, of course, vary depending on the specific situation and the people involved. It can, however, be permanent and disabling. A herniated disc is another possibility when it comes to rear-end collisions.
As a victim who has suffered injuries in a rear-end crash, it’s important to get in touch with a lawyer so they will help you file your car crash claim. By hiring professional legal help, you can be sure your claim will be processed correctly, and you will be able to get the compensation you deserve.
What Damages Can You Recover When You’re Involved In A Rear-End Collision?
The severity of the injuries you suffered and the accident will determine how much in damages you may recover from an insurance claim or a personal injury lawsuit. Naturally, a minor fender bender may leave your car with scrapes and damage to the rear bumper, and only cause you a few bruises – so it will bring a much smaller payout than, say, a high-speed accident which totals your car and leaves you hospitalized for over a week.
These cases can be very complicated due to the severity of the injuries the victim suffers. These range from neck injuries to upper back or shoulder injuries. Some injuries such as whiplash can be difficult to prove, but will often leave to severe pain and even impairment. The personal injury attorneys at Gomel & Associates will be able to help you get evidence of any injury you may have suffered, and use it to build your case.
Some of the damages that you can get compensated for include:
- Replacement or repair of your vehicle
- A rental car used for personal transportation as your car is repaired
- Lost wages
- Medical care costs
- Hospitalization costs
- Pain management medication costs
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and other recovery costs
- Pain and suffering damages
What Is The Time Limit For Filing Your Claim In Texas
When it comes to a car crash case, the statute of limitations runs out two years in Texas, counting from the day the accident happened. If you’re looking to pursue litigation and recover compensation from the accident, you need to make sure you begin the process before the end of this period.
Rear-end crashes don’t always end up going to court, so this deadline doesn’t apply to all cases. Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that filing your case and taking it to court sooner rather than later can provide leverage in your settlement negotiations. For this reason, we recommend victims to contact us at Gomel & Associates immediately after the accident, so you can get the process started quickly.
Get In Touch With A Rear-End Collision Attorney In Pasadena Today To Get Help
When you sustain injuries in a rear-end collision, it is a good idea to seek the services of an experienced, qualified car crash law firm. The professionals at Gomel & Associates are very skilled and have nearly three decades of experience when it comes to investigating and successfully closing claims related to car accidents. Our personal injury law firm is based in Pasadena, and we are very proud of the results we have gotten for victims who asked us to represent them.
If you’re looking to get quality representation for a rear-end collision accident, call our personal injury attorneys at Gomel & Associates right now to discuss your case, options and rights.
