When we hear that someone was in a rear-end collision, it’s easy to brush it off. There are nearly two million rear-end collisions in the US every year and are seen as the least serious type of road collision.
But did you know that these supposedly minor accidents lead to 1,700 deaths and 500,000 injuries per year?
Being in any sort of car accident is shocking and with your adrenaline pumping, it can be hard to keep a clear head.
We’ve put together a list of what to do if you got rear-ended. We know how stressful being in this situation is, but having a checklist will help you keep calm and make sure you get all the information that you need.
Here’s What to Do If You Got Rear Ended
The worst thing you can do if you’ve been rear-ended is to drive off like nothing has happened. No matter how late you are for your next appointment, you need to stay at the scene and speak to the other driver involved in the accident.
Call the Police
No matter how minor the accident may seem, you need to call the police immediately. The dispatcher will send an ambulance as needed and police officers to help with the situation.
In some states, it’s actually the law that the police must be called but you should phone them regardless.
Exchange Information
It is of vital importance to exchange car insurance information with the other driver. In some cases, the other driver may try to argue with you that there is no damage to the cars or try to pay you in cash instead of going through insurance.
Do NOT accept any alternatives to taking down their insurance info.
It’s possible that someone in either vehicle has an injury that is not immediately evident.
Alternatively, the damage to the vehicles may be more costly to repair than what appears at first glance.
You need to write down the following:
- Driver’s name
- Driver’s address
- Driver’s phone number
- Driver’s license number
- Make, model, and color of their car
- License plate number
- Name of insurance carrier
- Policy ID number
- Vehicle registration number
- Names of police officers on the scene
Take Pictures of the Scene
Get out your smartphone and take pictures of anything that seems pertinent to the scene. This would be things like damage to the cars and road condition.
If you’re in a state to do so, use this time to also write down exactly what occurred including how fast you were driving, why you suddenly stopped and the name of the road or intersection where the accident occurred.
Visit the Doctor
You should always visit the doctor after a collision of any kind. The adrenaline in the aftermath of the crash will prevent you from feeling pain right away, however, you may wake up the next morning with a sore neck or feeling some other pain.
Arrowhead Clinic, with locations in Georgia and Tennessee, specializes in recovery following car accident injuries.
The doctor or hospital will also document any treatment or tests that they do. You need to include these bills with filing with your insurance company.
Contact Your Insurance Company
The last step that you can do when you’ve returned home is to contact your insurance company and they’ll advise you on what to do next.
Some states have a no-fault policy meaning that you need to get compensation from your own insurance policy. Additionally, you should speak to a lawyer at this point to make sure that the insurance company is treating you fairly.
Staying Calm Will Make Everything Easier
Car accidents are the worst but unfortunately, they’re unavoidable. Knowing what to do if you got rear-ended will help you stay calm through this stressful process.
Read these tips if you’re suffering from pain following a car accident.
