If you have been the victim of a rear-end car accident in Portland, Oregon, there are certain things you need to do for your physical and legal safety. Taking the correct steps after a collision will ensure you are preserving crucial pieces of evidence for when you file your car accident claim.
If you have been involved in a car accident in Portland, you need to hire a rear-end accident lawyer to represent you and ensure you get a fair outcome. At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our team of auto accident lawyers has handled hundreds of rear-end car accident cases across Oregon and can help you throughout the entire process.
Keep reading to find out what to do after a rear-end car accident and how fault is determined in Portland, Oregon.
Dangers of Rear-End Collisions
Rear-end car accidents may not be the most severe type of auto accident, but they can come with severe consequences. Depending on how extensive the accident is, this can result in significant injuries such as broken bones, head trauma, spinal cord injuries, and severe whiplash.
Rear-end collisions can come with a significant financial strain from either physical injuries or property damage. That is why it is so important to file a car accident claim and find out who is at fault so that you can receive the compensation you need to make a full recovery.
What to Do After a Rear-End Car Accident in Oregon
If you are involved in a rear-end car accident in Portland, Oregon, this can be a very overwhelming situation that can leave you not knowing what to do next. The good news is that there are specific steps you should take after any type of auto accident that ensure your physical safety as well as legal protection for the future. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of what to do after a car accident:
- Check for injuries: Directly after an auto accident, the first thing you need to do is check yourself and any other passengers for injuries. Whether or not anyone is injured will determine what you can do next. If you aren’t seriously injured, it is best to move your vehicle out of the way of oncoming traffic to avoid causing other auto accidents.
- Call 911: The next thing you need to do is call 911 to report the accident and request an ambulance be sent so that you and your passengers can be examined. Law enforcement will also arrive and create a police report on the accident, which will be helpful later on. Even if you are not injured, you should still get medical attention to check for any internal injuries and create a paper trail of medical evidence.
- Exchange information: You will need to exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver if possible. Try to avoid apologizing or saying anything that could be used against you later on.
- Gather evidence: If you aren’t injured, this is a good time to gather crucial pieces of evidence while they are still fresh and accessible. You could take photos of property damage, injuries, and the collision scene. It is also a good idea to get the contact information of any witnesses so that your lawyer can get their witness statement later on.
- Call your insurance provider: Every insurance company will have a specific timeline that you have to follow when it comes to reporting auto accidents. Make sure you report the accident to your insurance provider within that timeline, but avoid admitting fault or providing more details than necessary.
- Hire an attorney: You may be wondering if you should get a lawyer for a rear-end car accident, and the answer is a resounding yes. Whether you were the vehicle that was struck or you struck another vehicle, it is crucial that you hire an attorney to help you file your auto accident case and negotiate with the involved parties.
Who is at Fault in a Rear-End Car Accident in Portland, OR?
Oregon has a comparative negligence law that determines who is at fault in any type of auto accident. With this comparative negligence law, both parties can be determined to be at fault within a certain percentage, which can impact the average settlement you can receive for a rear-end car accident. If a driver Is found to be 51% at fault, they will most likely not be eligible for compensation.
In the average rear-end car accident, the driver who is at fault will usually be the driver who struck the vehicle in front of them. However, these cases are not always as simple as this, as there are many things that can contribute to rear-end accidents in Portland, Oregon.
The driver that was struck could be found to be a certain percentage at fault if they unexpectedly or suddenly stopped, which caused the rear-end collision. Extenuating factors can also be taken into account, such as weather conditions that could have hindered visibility or affected the vehicles ability to stop in time. Most of the time, rear-end collisions can be attributed to incorrect following distances, speeding, or distracted driving.
Whether you accidentally rear-ended another driver or a driver rear-ended you, you need to hire a Portland, Oregon, rear-end accident lawyer. Hiring a lawyer will ensure you have an experienced advocate on your side who can help you every step of the process. This is especially crucial since Oregon follows a comparative negligence law, and you will need to establish your percentage of fault in the accident in order to get compensation.
Hire an Experienced Car Accident Attorney at Henderson Taylor Law Firm
If another vehicle rear ended you in Portland or if you rear ended someone, you need to know what happens next. Following the right steps after a collision and understanding how fault is determined will have a significant impact on your ability to get a car accident settlement later on.
At Henderson Taylor Law Firm, our car accident lawyers are committed to defending the downtrodden and helping the victims of car accidents as they pursue damages. For expert legal representation from one of our attorneys, contact us today at 360-737-1478 or fill out our online form.
