It’s no secret that driving and riding in a vehicle is dangerous. Around two million people are injured every year in a car accident.
No matter how careful you are, you can’t always prevent collisions. Your safety is in the hands of other people.
Experiencing a rear-ended accident is relatively common and unfortunately can do a lot of damage to your vehicle and cause extensive injury. While we hope this doesn’t happen to you, we want you to be prepared for the worst.
Whether you’ve been in a car accident or not, the information below will be valuable. Continue reading for rear-end collision laws and everything you need to know about moving a car accident case forward.
Safety First
The first thing you must do after a rear-ended accident is ensure everyone is safe. Calling 911 is always a good idea even if there aren’t any visible or apparent injuries.
Depending on how severe the accident is, you may not be able to move out of the way of oncoming traffic. However, if you can, it’s important to do so. This will keep you and other parties out of harm’s way.
Exchange Information
There are several causes of rear-end collisions and no matter what happened, it’s important that you exchange information with the person who rear-ended you. Get their name and insurance information.
You should also document as much as you can. Take pictures of the scene, including both vehicles. You should also keep a copy of the police report to share with your insurance company.
After you get elevated by a medical professional, be sure to keep a record of all your appointments, medications, procedures, and any other medical-related information. This will prove to be helpful when it comes time to collect compensation.
Contact Your Insurance
Even if the accident wasn’t your fault, you should contact your insurance company. They will be able to help you navigate the process and advise you on your coverage.
Your agent may send an adjustor to look at the damage to your vehicle and will ask for the information that we previously discussed.
While it’s safe to talk to your insurance company, it’s vital that you don’t talk to anyone from the other company.
While an adjustor may seem to care about your well-being, they will use anything you say against you in court. They will try to discredit you and reduce how much they pay you.
It’s best if you let your agent make contact when the other insurance company.
Hiring a Lawyer
You should also hire an attorney right away. While your insurance agent can be a helpful resource, a lawyer will be more helpful and will be able to inform you of your rights and what steps to take next.
Your attorney will likely ask for the same information as the insurance company and don’t be surprised if they ask you a lot of questions about the rear-ended accident.
A lawyer is going to make the entire process much easier. Having someone on your side and representing you will help ensure you get the compensation you deserve and allow you to heal without stress.
There are thousands of lawyers out there, so be sure to hire one that specializes in personal injury law. You shouldn’t wait too long to contact an expert, but be sure to spend some time researching the best ones in your area.
No-Fault Benefits
In Florida, everyone is required to have $10,000 of PIP (Personal Injury Protection) insurance. The goal of the no-fault benefits is to give you access to the medical care you need after an accident, no matter who caused the accident.
You don’t have to prove fault to receive compensation from your own insurer. Keep in mind that the amount is based on your current policy.
These benefits can be very helpful in the case of a hit-and-run. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance, it can also be very useful.
Third-Party Benefits
By law, the at-fault party must provide you with the compensation you deserve. You have the right to go outside the no-fault claim and hold the other party responsible for extensive injuries and permanent damage.
You can also claim pain and suffering when you go outside the no-fault system. This can get tricky, so be sure to consult a professional first.
Appeals
The good news about living in Florida is you can make an appeal if you don’t feel as if the insurance company is proving fair compensation.
The opposing company is going to do everything they can to reduce the amount they owe you. This process can be extensive, but it will be worth it once you receive compensation.
Hiring an experienced attorney will also help reduce the chances of having this issue. They will also be able to walk you through the steps if this is the route you need to take.
Rear-Ended Accident
A rear-ended accident is the last thing you want to happen. Unfortunately, it’s out of your control a lot of the time.
Knowing what to do in an emergency makes all the difference. The more you know, the easier and less stressful the situation will be.
The good news is, no matter how extensive the collision is/was, you don’t have to go through it alone. We are here to help and support you.
We have helped hundreds of car accident victims and we are confident we can help you, too. Contact us here to talk to a professional!
CONTACT A TAMPA AUTO ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
In short, after a car accident, you may not know your rights. Above all, don’t struggle through the process alone. Actually, our personal injury team is here to help you with any legal needs you might have regarding your accident.
Lastly, let RHINO Lawyers answer your questions and review the facts of your case with a Free Consultation. So, get started by completing the “Free Instant Case Evaluation” or by calling us any time, day or night, at 844.RHINO.77.
