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From driving to the grocery store for chips to commuting to work every morning, many Albuquerque residents use their cars daily to get to where they need to go. Navigating busy streets and some of the most dangerous intersections in the city can lead to a serious car accident, with one of the most common types being a rear-end collision.
If you’ve been rear-ended in a car accident, Shapiro Law Team knows how to work these cases. We’ll briefly go over the basics of what a rear-end accident is, what to do after one, and your legal options for filing a claim.
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions are one of the most common causes of vehicle accidents. They make up around 30% of all car accidents per year, and the injuries from them can vary depending on the severity.
A rear-end collision happens when one car fails to stop in time and hits the rear bumper of the car in front of them. The force and speed of this bumper-to-bumper collision will determine the severity of the accident. The faster the car was traveling when it hit the other car, the more extensive the damage to the car and the more serious the injuries.
Getting rear-ended can be nerve-wracking and stressful, but keeping calm can help keep you and others safe. A level head means you can take the proper steps to file a report and exchange information, so take a breath.
Here are the basic steps you’ll need to follow after a rear-end collision:
First and foremost, check to see if you have any visible injuries. Look for cuts, scrapes, bruising, or painful areas of your body. Even if you don’t initially feel anything, be careful and move slowly to make sure you don’t aggravate any injuries. Adrenaline is a powerful thing, so you may not feel anything until a few minutes or even hours later, so take care of yourself first.
Once you know you’re in a safe area, get in touch with emergency services. They will send out police and emergency medical services to your location. Keep these things in mind as you wait for the authorities to arrive:
When the paramedics get there, let them check you over. Their job is to respond to these types of calls, so you’re not inconveniencing anyone by asking for medical attention. Rear-end accidents are serious, and your injuries need treatment to prevent further issues.
Even if you feel fine in the moment, don’t wait to get looked at by a doctor. Adrenaline after an accident can carry you for a while and hide potential painful injuries, and you don’t want to wait until a hidden injury progresses into something worse.
Once a doctor has looked you over, follow their instructions for recovery. Don’t take this step lightly, as proper follow-up care can help you heal faster and reduce downtime from being injured.
After you get confirmation from a medical provider that you’re not in any immediate danger, take photos and videos of the accident scene for evidence. This can include the damage to your car, where the accident occurred, and any other useful information. You can also talk to any witnesses and get their contact information.
You’ll need to exchange contact information as well as insurance information with the other drivers involved in the accident. This ensures you can properly file an insurance claim and you have a way to contact the other parties during legal proceedings.
Talk to the officer who responded to your call and corporate with their investigation. They will ask you for your contact information as well as a detailed account of what happened. Be careful with what you say, and stick to the facts of what happened leading up to and during the accident. Don’t say anything that could be twisted into taking the blame, and don’t try to point fingers at the other driver.
The next step is to get in touch with your insurance provider and file a claim through them. Provide the evidence you’ve gathered, and they will see if the accident falls under your coverage plans. This step may take some time, but it’s a step that can’t be skipped.
Now that you have a pile of evidence ranging from medical records to police reports, you want to keep that documentation safe. All of this creates a paper trail you can use while you file your claim to protect yourself and prove the other driver is liable. Store the documentation in a safe place and make sure it’s easily accessible as you navigate the legal system.
The last step is to contact a car accident attorney in your area. Look for a law firm that has experience working with rear-end accidents and a track record of winning their cases. Shapiro Law Team is ready to fight for your case in the Albuquerque area and make sure you get the justice you deserve for your injuries. Contact the Shapiro Law Team, we’re here to help.
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As you work with officers and insurance companies, one wrong move can impact how much compensation you can earn. There are also basic tips you can follow to help strengthen your case. Here are some basic dos and don’ts as you work your way through the claim filing process after a rear-end collision:
Rear-end accidents can cause a variety of injuries based on the force of impact. If a speeding car rear-ends a vehicle stopped at a red light, the force will push the occupants forward and jolt their head, neck, and back. Common injuries sustained in a rear-end collision include:
Navigating the legal system after being rear-ended in an accident can feel overwhelming and confusing as you try to decipher policies and regulations. A car accident or personal injury attorney like Shapiro Law Team knows the legal process inside and out, and they know every trick in the book to get you the compensation you deserve. Insurance companies will try to fight you at every turn, and we’re ready to fight back.
New Mexico is an at-fault state, meaning the party responsible for causing the accident is responsible for covering the damages. Because of this, you need to be able to pin down the cause of the accident and who is at fault. Rear-end accidents are often caused by:
New Mexico residents are required by law to report a car accident as soon as possible. You have up to 5 days from the date of the accident to file a report, but the sooner you do it, the better. Ideally, report the accident as soon as it happens and you’ve pulled over into a safe area.
In many cases, the driver in the rear car is found at fault for the accident. However, it’s important to note that every case is different. Consult a car accident attorney to go over your specific case and help determine fault in your instance.
New Mexico law states that you have up to 3 years from the date of the accident to file a claim and earn compensation. If you wait longer than 3 years, a judge will dismiss your case, and you won’t be able to earn anything. The sooner you file your claim, the better your chances of earning the maximum compensation.
A car accident settlement timeline can vary depending on the extent of the damage, the severity of your injuries, and the cooperation of all parties involved. A case with minor injuries will settle faster than a case involving wrongful death, and every case is different.
No one wants to deal with the stress of talking with insurance companies and figuring out the legal system after a rear-end accident. You need to juggle a variety of responsibilities while making sure your health is protected, and you deserve someone in your corner who is ready to fight for you.
Shapiro Law Team has years of experience working with rear-end collision victims, and we’ll treat your case with the dignity and respect you deserve. We’re here to serve victims in Albuquerque and the surrounding areas, such as Farmington and Santa Fe. Schedule a free consultation today to go over your case and begin the process of leaving all of this behind you.