When tragedy strikes, depend on the dedicated team of J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys to guide you through these challenging times. One of our most recent clients knew that they could trust our experienced and successful car accident lawyers to help them fight for the justice and compensation they deserve.
While traveling eastbound on US-83, our client was viciously rear-ended. The impact of this initial collision thrust our client forward, causing him to hit the vehicle in front of him. This multi-car accident left our client suffering from various injuries.
Commuters, please be advised that there is heavy construction happening in the Rio Grande City area. If you are traveling to and from Rio Grande City, please remember to always drive the speed limit, maintain a proper distance from the person in front of you, and obey traffic laws while driving through construction zones.
J. Gonzalez Injury Attorneys would like to remind all drivers in the Rio Grande Valley to stay safe!
What to Do After a Rear-End Crash
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), rear-end collisions account for 28% of all automobile accidents, making them one of the most common types of car accidents in the United States. This comes to 1.7 million rear-end collisions, 500,000 injuries, and 1,700 deaths a year.
These types of accidents commonly occur because of negligent drivers who are:
- Speeding
- Distracted
- Following too closely (especially in heavy traffic areas or construction zones)
If you have been involved in a rear-end accident, please take the following steps:
- Check for injuries. Regardless of the severity of the crash, you should still seek out medical attention. The adrenaline rush following a car accident may numb your injury symptoms momentarily but you may begin to feel severe pain within a day or two of the accident. Even a “small” accident can cause you whiplash or a back injury.
- Contact the police immediately. Assuming you are OK, contact the police immediately after an accident, even if it only caused minor damage to your vehicle. The police report will be essential to not only filing your insurance claim but will also be an important piece of evidence should you file a legal claim against the negligent driver.
- Try to gather as much information as possible. If you are uninjured and capable of doing so, begin to gather as much evidence as possible. Evidence and information you should gather include:
- Photos of the scene of the accident
- Photos of the damage done to all vehicles
- The other driver’s insurance information
- The other driver’s full name, address, phone number, driver’s license info, and license plate number
- The police report (when it is available)
- Keep notes of any medical care you receive
- Keep any medical bills and prescriptions
- Never admit fault. While you may be tempted to talk to the other driver following a rear-end accident, please be careful of what you say to them. Even a simple, “I’m sorry,” can be used against you. Never admit fault to the police or insurance companies either. Allow them to do their investigations and determine who is responsible.
Compensation You Can Receive for a Rear-End Collision
The at-fault driver’s insurance company should cover any damages to your vehicle and any costs associated with medical care to treat your injuries. Typically, you will be able to receive compensation to cover:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Wrongful death
