Rear-end collisions account for 29% of accidents that happen on the road. This makes them the leading cause of crashes.
Rear-ending another driver is easier than you may think. All it takes is getting distracted for a split second. If a driver isn’t at a safe distance, they’ll crash into the car ahead of them if they slam on the brakes.
That being said, you should know what to do if you hit a car from behind. While you may be tempted to panic and flee the scene, stay where you are. Call the police and swap information with the driver.
These are only a few rules to live by when you hit a car. Continue reading to learn more.
Don’t Drive Away
After you hit a car from behind, it’s understandable to panic. After all, rear-end collisions are almost always the fault of the person who did the hitting.
However, leaving is most likely the worst thing you could do. You could get hit with a felony and a higher insurance premium. It’s better to stay where you are and call 9-1-1 to report the incident.
Talk to the Other Driver
Once you and the other driver pull over to a safe spot, get out of your car and talk to them. Tell them your name, phone number, address, and insurance information.
While it’s okay to apologize to the other driver for the inconvenience, you shouldn’t say anything that puts the fault on you. They don’t have to know you looked down for a split second to peek at a text message.
Gather Evidence
Take out your phone and snap pictures of the damage dealt to both vehicles. A rear-end accident already looks incriminating on you. Anything that could help prove you’re not at fault will help.
For example, you could have hit the car in front of you because the one in front of them cut them off. If anyone witnessed that, it would clear your name.
Talk to an attorney. One of the benefits of hiring an accident lawyer is that they can collect evidence if you don’t know where to begin.
Seek Medical Attention
As soon as you leave the accident scene, seek medical attention. While you may feel fine now, injury from whiplash and muscle strain can appear weeks later.
Not seeing a doctor tells insurance companies that you weren’t hurt as badly as you may claim. Of course, that doesn’t matter unless you’re pressing charges.
Knowing What to Do if You Hit a Car From Behind Without Panicking
Knowing what to do if you hit a car from behind is crucial with how common rear-end collisions are.
All it takes is looking down for a split second to cause an accident. If you panic and admit fault, it won’t end well for you if the other driver presses charges.
Collect any evidence that could prove you’re not at fault. If you don’t know where to begin, hire a lawyer.
For more information on road laws, explore the rest of our blog.
