Rear ended accidents are quite common and usually caused by the vehicle at the back hitting the vehicle in the front because the driver was too close and failed to keep a safe distance away. Typically, rear ended accidents cause less serious injuries than other types of vehicle accidents, but nevertheless they can still result in painful injuries like whiplash. Ride sharing drivers tend to be always in a hurry trying to make a living and are frequent rear end accident offenders. If you have been hit in the rear by a driver, you may be able to obtain compensation by filing a claim for compensation with the driver’s insurer or with the company directly. You will find it useful to get the help of a personal injury attorney when making a claim of this type.
Injuries From a Rear End Accident
Rear end collisions, like rear-ended at a red light, tend to be less severe than front end collisions mainly because there is more of the vehicle in between the two vehicles when the crash occurs. Also, the relative speeds at the time of the collision tend to be less. However, injuries can still be severe. One of the most common injuries that is typical of rear end type collisions is whiplash, a neck injury in which the vertebrae have become dislodged, putting strain on the nerves running down through the spine. Whiplash is not always diagnosed straight away, yet remains a very painful condition, often necessitating many days, weeks or months recovery time.
Filing a Claim for a Rear End Accident
As ride sharing drivers do not work directly for their company but are independent operators, the insurance situation is a little complicated. Ride sharing drivers are required to have their own liability insurance, which must be used if the driver doesn’t actually have a paying passenger with them.
The only drawback with this is that not every insurer is happy to honor a driver’s liability if they find out that they are providing a commercial service.
The ride sharing company itself does provide liability insurance up to a limit if the driver has an accident when he or she is carrying paying passengers. That means you need to know who to file your claim with before submitting it. You also need to have proof that the driver who hit you was at fault.
A police report, witness statements and photographic evidence of the damage done can help substantiate a claim.
Why You Need a PI Attorney
If you are unsure who to file your claim with, it can help to discuss your rear end accident with a personal injury attorney first. The attorney will have dealt with driver accidents before and will be able to provide advice and help negotiate a satisfactory settlement.
Additional Resources
- Do I Sue Uber or the Other Driver After a Crash?
- What does ‘pain and suffering’ mean, and how can I file a claim for it?
*Disclaimer
The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Uber, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
