I Got Rear-Ended, Now What?
Rear-end accidents are the most common kind of car accident in the country. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), out of the 6 million car accidents that happen in the U.S. every year, more than 40% of them are rear-end accidents.
Although rear-end accidents are very common, it’s essential that motorists know how to handle them. Understanding what to do after a rear-end accident can help you not only protect yourself but also your future personal injury claim. Rear-end accidents can happen in many different ways, in any number of places. By following just a few simple steps after you’ve been rear-ended, you can help ensure everyone’s safety.
What To Do After You’re Rear-Ended
The moments following a car accident can be terrifying and many people are confused about what to do next. These moments after a rear-end accident are some of the most crucial when it comes to gathering information and preserving your injury claim. There are a handful of steps that we encourage anyone involved in an accident to take if possible.
- Check for injuries
- Call the police and report the accident
- Seek medical attention if injured
- Take pictures and document the positions of the vehicles
- Get a copy of the accident report.
- Contact your insurance company.
How Much Should a Rear End Collision Settlement Be?
The payout for a rear-end accident depends on numerous details in your car accident case.
For instance, you might expect a minimal payout if the negligent driver hardly did any damage to your vehicle or property in the crash. However, if you suffered extensive losses, such as a totaled car, it’s reasonable to predict a higher settlement total.
These caveats represent some of the most compelling reasons you need a car accident lawyer to represent you if you become a victim of another driver’s negligence. An experienced attorney will be thoroughly prepared to represent you and increase your chances of receiving an appropriate settlement to cover all losses and damages. Here are the primary factors that typically contribute to an accident’s expenses to give you a more thorough understanding of how to predict your rear-end collision settlement.
Medical Costs (Related to Personal Injury)
In 2019, motor vehicle incidents caused 4.5 million injuries in the United States. It’s true, not all car and truck accidents require extensive medical attention. However, it’s always recommended to visit and speak with a doctor if there are wounds that you may have missed at first glance following an accident. Common injuries include the following
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Concussions
- Whiplash
- Contusions
- And more
Pain and Suffering
Many victims of a rear-end collision suffer from psychological and emotional trauma, especially if they experienced a serious injury or lost a loved one. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one of the most likely mental disorders accident victims may develop.
Property Damage
This is the most obvious damage you must factor into your rear-end accident settlement. It’s worth mentioning that “property” includes the vehicle and other objects like a fence or a building that was damaged due to the crash. Depending on your insurance policy, you may be able to cover the repair or replacement of items inside the car as well.
Wage Losses
Any time that is spent at the hospital, at an auto body shop, or other time spent tending to logistical elements of the rear-end accident takes away from your work time and potential money earned. You can and should be compensated for this time as long as you document your hours to demonstrate that you could not attend work due to the crash.
Wrongful Death
The worst possible outcome a rear end accident can have is a fatality. In 2019, over 38,000 people died in these rear-end accidents alone. Although plenty of rear-end collisions are deemed as just fender benders, there are just as many severe rear-end accidents that can alter lives permanently. Wrongful death cases are the most serious and as a result, can carry high settlement amounts.
We recommend that you always consider all this before you conclude what the payout for your rear-end accident could be. Depending on the circumstances of the accident, you might be looking at average minimums of $15,000 to highs of $150,000. Some cases even reach tens of millions. In these cases, the rear-end accident likely either resulted in a death, left the victim with life-altering and permanent injuries, or involved a government or commercial vehicle.
Contact An Albuquerque Car Accident Lawyer Today
You never want to go into a rear-end accident settlement negotiation without a personal injury lawyer present. In order to receive maximum compensation, these cases often rely on negotiation, which a skilled attorney has faced plenty of times. Garcia Legal has extensive experience in this field and can provide a true advantage when entering the legal process of your injury claim. If you’ve been injured and are wondering what the payout for a rear-end accident is, call Garcia Legal today for a free consultation.
