You could be stopped at a red light, a stop sign or caught in traffic that is at a standstill on a Louisiana highway. You paid attention to the fact that you were required to stop. However, if the driver behind you fails to do the same, the vehicle could crash into the back of yours. In fact, often times, rear end collisions are caused by distracted drivers.
You may not even feel that you are injured at the time of the accident, but that does not mean you should not go to the hospital to be check out by a physician. Soft tissue injuries, such as those suffered in rear end collisions, can sometimes be more serious than they first appear. A back, neck or head injury will often hurt more the next day. Without proper medical treatment, it could continue to worsen if your activities exacerbate it.
Therefore, even if your injuries seem minor at the time, it is important that you seek medical attention. Not only to ensure that you are not actually suffering from a more serious injury, but also to begin a paper trail for a personal injury claim against the driver who hit you. It will not only be necessary to prove negligence on the other driver’s part, but evidence of your actual damages and injuries will need to be provided to the court as well.
You may be entitled to other damages as well such as pain and suffering, mental anguish and loss of enjoyment of life depending on the severity of your injuries and whether or not you are permanently disabled. Too many Louisiana residents underestimate the impact rear end collisions can have on them. If you are involved in such a crash, it may be a good idea to talk to an attorney as soon as possible after you are checked out by a doctor.
