Getting rear-ended is no joke. It can damage your vehicle, cause neck injuries, and ruins your entire day. Worse still: what if you get hit by an uninsured driver and are left in pain, debt, and without transportation? Lacey Solicitors in Belfast advises.
Has another vehicle ploughed into the back of your car while you were waiting in traffic? Has the car accident left you out of pocket through general damages to your vehicle and personal injuries such as whiplash or back pain? Seeking legal advice after a rear-ended road traffic accident is simple with Lacey solicitors, Belfast.
How Many Road Traffic Accidents Per Year in Northern Ireland?
Rear end collisions make up a large portion of car accidents per year in Northern Ireland. Infrastructure NI estimates that one person loses their lives on the country’s roads every week. Northern Ireland has several small and single track rural roads. These come with blind corners, hidden dips, and car accidents caused by icy roads in the towns and villages where Belfast’s gritters do not reach.
Car Accident Statistics for Rear End Collisions
Car accident statistics related to rear end collisions show some worrying facts. Almost a third of all car accidents are rear end crashes. Reasons for this include tailgating, brake checking, unexpected traffic, distractions, and even simple bad weather.
Can Rear End Collisions Become Fatal Car Accidents?
Studies in the US have revealed that about 7.5 % of all rear-end collisions prove to be fatal car accidents. A rear end collision while waiting at traffic lights or a shunt while reversing in a parking lot is one thing, but a high speed rear end smash can be deadly – particularly for your back seat passengers.
What if you are Hit by an Uninsured Driver?
If you are rear-ended by an uninsured driver in Northern Ireland, then you should still make a police report recording your accident. Drivers caught driving without insurance face hefty fines and can lose their license.
At Lacey Solicitors in Belfast, our vast experience tells us that uninsured drivers involved in rear end collisions or other road traffic accidents are less likely to remain at the scene. Gather what details you can. You can later make a claim through the Motor Insurance Bureau. This process is long and complex, but you could be reimbursed for your trouble. Of course, the best way to negotiate the MIB system after being hit by an uninsured driver is to hire a car accident lawyer.
What to do When You Get Rear Ended?
If you have been rear-ended, then take the following steps:
- Ensure you and your passengers are safe.
- Exchange insurance details with the person who rear ended you. If they do not stop, try to take note of their registration plate, make, and model of the car.
- Ensure anyone who is hurt seeks medical attention, call emergency services to the scene of the car accident if you have to.
- Gather witness contact details, particularly from anyone who has a dash cam. You can also check local businesses and homes for doorbell camera and CCTV footage.
- Have your car removed from the road.
- Report the rear end collision to the police.
- Speak to Lacey Solicitors to discuss your compensation claim after the accident.
Rear Ended? Our Car Accident Lawyer’s Office in Belfast Can Help
Whether a rear end collision leaves you with a neck injury or whether you are hospitalised in a pile up on the motorway, a personal injury lawyer can help you negotiate compensation for your injuries. Finding a specialist personal injury lawyer with experience in car accidents is the wisest way to protect your legal interests. Contact Lacey Solicitors, a Belfast based car accident lawyers and personal injury specialists near you.
