Being in a rear-end car accident is usually a sudden and frightening experience. Before you even know it, you may have been plowed into by another vehicle and suffered severe injuries. In terms of liability, rear-end car accidents usually go in the favor of the driver who was rear-ended. If you or a loved one was involved in a rear-end car accident, after receiving treatment for any injuries and thoroughly documenting the experience, you should consult with a Fayetteville car accident lawyer. The lawyers at Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP are here to discuss your rear-end car accident in Arkansas.
What to Do After Being Rear-Ended
Once you are involved in a rear-end car accident, it is important that you follow certain steps. First, you should check yourself for any injuries if you are able to do so. If you, a passenger, or another motorist is injured, you should call for police and an ambulance or ask another person to do so. Once that is taken care of, you should make sure that your vehicle is not in an unsafe place on the roadway or impeding traffic. Move the vehicle to a safe spot if you can.
You should also call the police to the scene, even if it is unclear whether you have contributed to the car accident. Prior to the police arriving, you should attempt to collect the following information from the driver who hit you:
- The name, address, and contact information for the driver who rear-ended you;
- The insurance company the driver is registered with and the policy number;
- Statements from any available witnesses and their contact information;
- Take photographs of the damages to both vehicles, the license plate of the other driver, and the place where the accident occurred.
Some people will not be completely cooperative and may even flee the scene of the accident, but you should probably not chase this person. Instead, remember the make and model of the vehicle and the license plate number if you can get a look at it and report this to the police.
Once the police are on the scene, you should inform them of how the accident occurred and get the name and badge number of all responding officers. Once the police conclude their investigation of the accident, ask the police officers for a copy of the accident report or information on how to obtain it.
Once you are done documenting information at the scene of the accident, you should return home and contact your insurance company to inform them of the accident. If the other driver has contacted their insurance company, they will likely get in touch with you to offer you a check for the damages or to deny fault on behalf of the driver. If the insurance company denies fault, attempts to blame you for the accident, or offers a settlement that is too low to cover your needs, you should hire an attorney. Always discuss your case with an experienced car accident lawyer before accepting any money for your case.
When to File Your Car Accident Case
If your rear-end car accident case cannot be easily resolved, you may have to file a personal injury lawsuit to claim money for car repairs and any injuries suffered.
The statute of limitations in an injury-related case in Arkansas is three years after an accident occurred. The statute of limitations dictates the amount of time an individual has to file a case with the court. The case does not have to be taken to trial and completed within this three-year timeframe, only filed. If for some reason you only discover your injuries after the deadline has passed, you may still be able to file your case since the statute of limitations has some exceptions to the three-year rule.
There are several reasons besides the statute of limitations, that you want to file your case as soon as possible. Some of these reasons include:
- Ensuring the memory of witnesses concerning the accident remains fresh;
- Give yourself enough time to thoroughly investigate the claim;
- The quicker the case is over, the quicker you can recover money for car repairs or injuries sustained during the crash.
Types of Injuries Sustained in a Rear-End Car Accident
There are a range of injuries that can occur in a rear-end car accident. Here are some of the most common injuries sustained in rear-end car accidents:
- Whiplash
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Seatbelt Burns
- Broken Bones
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Paralysis
- Fractures
If you have suffered one of these or another type of injury due to a rear-end collision, you should consult with an experienced car accident attorney.
Fayetteville, AR Rear-End Collision Attorneys Here to Help You Recover for Your Injuries
The Fayetteville personal injury attorneys at Gunn Kieklak Dennis, LLP possess several years of experience in dealing with car accidents in Arkansas. We are aware of the hardships of being injured in a car accident or having your being seriously damaged, and we are here to aid you in recovering the compensation you deserve. Our firm has litigated rear-end collisions involving various vehicles, like commercial vehicle accidents or motorcycle accidents. For a confidential consultation, call us at (479) 439-9840.