Being involved in a rear-end crash in Pennsylvania is a frightening experience. Rear-end collisions are very common so motorists need to be prepared to know what to do if this type of accident happens to them. One of the first things to do is to make sure the accident is reported to authorities so police come out and create an accident report. Victims of the crash should also exchange contact info at the crash scene, get witness contact info, and notify their own insurers. Taking pictures of the crash scene could be important as well after rear-end collision occurs. All of this evidence helps to prove how the crash happened in case there are questions about who was to blame for the accident.
In addition to taking steps at the scene of the accident, there is something else essential to do when you leave the scene of a rear-end collision: go and get medical help. If you sustained very serious injuries, getting medical help should be the top priority and an ambulance can come to the area to pick you up. Even if you don’t know if your injuries are very serious, or even if you don’t think you’ve been hurt at all, you should still get a medical exam following the accident. Going to get a comprehensive exam should be the first thing you do when leaving the collision scene.
Why Seek Medical Attention After a Rear-End Crash in Johnstown?
You need to seek medical attention after a rear-end crash because you want comprehensive medical records, prepared by licensed physicians, which document both the full extent of your injuries and which document the fact the injuries came from a crash.
You need this medical documentation so you can make a claim to get an auto insurer to cover crash losses. Pennsylvania is a choice no fault state, so some motorists opt for full tort coverage and can file a lawsuit against the driver who hurt them. This is almost always the rear driver, as the rear driver is presumed at fault for rear-end car accidents. The lawsuit may be resolved out of court or may be resolved in court.
Motorists also have to buy personal injury protection (PIP) coverage, which pays costs whenever crashes happen no matter who is at fault. Virtually all victims of car accidents, therefore, should have the ability to make an injury claim with an auto insurer so they don’t have to pay medical expenses alone.
Getting this claim made successfully and getting an insurer to pay involves showing how the injuries happened, how bad the injuries were, and what kinds of treatments you have received and will received. Medical records from right after the collision occurred are going to be invaluable in helping the insurer to understand the extent of damages so a fair settlement can be reached.
Marcus & Mack
