What to Do After Being Rear-Ended

One moment, you’re cruising down the road, and the next, your car jolts forward unexpectedly. Turns out, you’ve been rear-ended.

I’m a personal injury attorney with over 41 years of experience serving clients across North Carolina, including Wilmington, New Hanover County, Pender County, Brunswick County, and Onslow County.

Do This After Being Rear-Ended

• Safety first: Pull over to a safe spot, hazard lights on, check for injuries, call 911 if needed.
• Contact law enforcement: Always report the accident.
• Gather evidence: Photos of vehicles, injuries, surroundings, witness contacts.
• Seek medical attention: Whiplash and internal damage may not manifest immediately.
• Inform your insurer: Contact insurance company immediately.
• Keep records: All communications with insurance company.
• Consider legal representation: Attorney can handle communications.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Delaying medical treatment: Harms your health and weakens your case.
• Settling too quickly: Insurance companies offer low quick settlements—learn why settlements take time before accepting one.
• Ignoring follow-up appointments: Complicates recovery, hurts case.
• Not following your doctor’s advice: Slows recovery, weakens case.

North Carolina Laws Governing Rear-End Collisions

• Fault determination: Contributory negligence — even 1% at fault bars recovery.
• Mandatory reporting: Report any accident with injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to DMV within ten days.
• Insurance requirements: Mandatory minimum liability coverage.
• Statute of limitations: Three years from accident date.

Personal Injury Attorney in Wilmington, North Carolina

At Robert Louis Armstrong, Personal Injury Attorney, I focus on rear-end collision cases, representing individuals never corporations or insurance companies. Contact immediately.