Rear-ended Car accidents occur every day.  Even if you are a safe driver, you can not control the driver behind you.  Nationally there are over 2,000,000 rear end collisions reported a year.

Causes of Rear-Ended Car Accidents

The Texas Transportation Code requires drivers to maintain an assured distance between their vehicles.  When you do this, you will have time to stop regardless of what the driver in front of you does.

Rear-ended Car accidents are caused when the driver behind you:

• Fails to maintain a safe distance;
• Road rage;
• Mechanical failure;
• Speeding
• Is distracted by a phone, makeup, or even food;
• Too tired to be a safe driver; or
• There is alcohol involved.

After a rear-ended Car accident, the dispute is generally over the amount of damage.  Liability is not disputed.  But it does occur.  We have seen allegations that our client backed into the other vehicle.  We’ve heard that our client was trying to cause the accident.  Finally, that the accident was caused by our driver’s reckless driving.

What To Do After a Rear-Ended Car Accident

After a collision where the other driver rear-ended you, make sure that you collect the following information at the scene of the accident:

• How many people in the other vehicle;
• What is the driver’s cell phone number;
• Does it look like they were eating in the car;
• Take pictures that show the road condition;
• Photograph the damage to both vehicles;
• Take a picture that shows the outside environment (foggy, clear, dark, etc.);
• Is the other driver’s insurance in their name:
• Who owns the other vehicle;
• Contact information for any witnesses; and
• Contact your personal injury lawyer.

Conclusion

After any Car accident, make sure that you are seen by a doctor.  You may not feel injured.  It is common to not to feel injured until one or two days after an accident.  It is always better to be safe than sorry.