Rear End Collision

A rear-end collision is what occurs when a car hits another car in front of it. A series of rear-end collisions in a row often causes a multiple car pileup. Many factors contribute to these types of car accidents, some of the most common ones being speed, reckless driving, or unsafe road conditions. When the rear car hits the front car, it is most often assumed that the rear car was the vehicle who was at fault, and there are very few situations where it is proven otherwise. It is important that you remain calm after you are rear-ended and only speak with law enforcement or medical professionals. Do not admit fault or say that you are ok, even though you will likely be full of adrenaline and will have difficulty keeping calm and quiet. Saying that you are fine, even if you are not, can cause serious legal issues for you down the road, as we will discuss further on in this article.

While each accident is unique, and the injuries that can occur all depend on the many factors in the collision, whiplash is the most common injury in these types of crashes. Whiplash is a term for injuries to the neck that happens when the head is jerked forward, down, and back in one quick motion in a whip-like manner. When this happens, the muscles and tendons in the neck, as well as the discs in the spine, are compressed and stretched violently and can cause serious injury. Whiplash can cause

• headaches
• jaw aches
• trouble sleeping
• severely limited range of motion

In some accidents, whiplash may not be immediately apparent because it takes time for the muscles to tighten and seize, so it is important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible even if you believe that you are fine. The more medical attention that you receive, the more documentation there is for you to use in court if you ultimately determine that you are suffering from serious injuries.

WHIPLASH MAY NOT BE IMMEDIATELY APPARENT! SEEKING MEDICAL ATTENTION RIGHT AWAY IS ESSENTIAL EVEN IF YOU FEEL FINE AFTER A REAR-END COLLISION.

The longer that you wait to see a doctor, the more the other insurance company will point to this gap as evidence that your injuries may not be related to the accident involving their client, or question whether or not you truly are injured. With corroborating medical documentation from as early after the crash as possible, your attorney will be able to effectively dismiss these possible claims. There are many other injuries that can happen in one of these accidents as well, like lacerations, broken bones and seat belt/airbag injuries. Since each accident is different, it is important that you act quickly to document the entire situation so that a judge and jury can get a clear picture of the accident during a possible trial.

After you are involved in a rear-end crash in New York, the first and most important thing to do is to make sure that you and your passengers are safe. This may mean pulling to the side of the road, into a median strip or breakdown lane, or out of oncoming traffic. If you are unable to move your vehicle, be sure that someone has contacted 911, and use your best judgment about whether or not you should remain in the vehicle. When you are speaking with the other driver, do not admit fault or apologize for anything, and do not tell them anything about your injuries. These will be used against you by their insurance company as a way to make absolute minimum payments to you, even if there is abundant evidence to the contrary. It is our natural instinct to want to reassure others in moments of panic and alarm such as after a car accident, but it is important that you resist these urges to protect your own legal and financial interests.

Contact 1-800-HURT-511 today to be connected with an experienced car accident attorney in New York who will represent you after a rear-end collision. 1-800-HURT-511 is an attorney service referral service that can make your selection process much less stressful, meaning that you will have more time and mental energy to focus on your recovery and getting your life back on track after this situation.