What To Do If a Car Hits You from Behind?
The first thing you notice is the sound. An abrupt squeal of tires followed by a crunch of metal. Before you can process what is happening, a powerful force jolts you forward. You have just been hit from behind.
In the moments that follow, pain, confusion, and anger set in. A rear-end collision seems straightforward; the other driver was clearly at fault. But this is a dangerous assumption.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will immediately begin working to protect its interests, not yours. If you suffered whiplash or other serious injuries in Illinois, you are at the beginning of a complex fight.
Knowing what to do next helps protect your health and your right to a fair personal injury claim.
Your Roadmap After a Rear-End Collision
The aftermath of a crash is disorienting. Focus on these key points to protect your rights and well-being.
- Fault is not automatic: The rear driver is almost always at fault, but insurance companies have tactics to shift blame.
- “Minor” impacts cause major injuries: The amount of damage to your car’s bumper has very little to do with the severity of your injuries.
- The insurance adjuster is a trained negotiator: The other driver’s insurer will contact you with the goal of paying as little as possible.
- Documentation is your shield: Photos, medical records, and a journal of your symptoms are powerful evidence.
The Myth of the “Simple Fender Bender”
Rear-end collisions are the most common type of traffic accident. Because they happen so frequently, people often dismiss them as “minor.” Insurance companies promote this myth because it helps them underpay claims.
They want you to believe that a little bumper damage could not possibly have caused the severe pain you feel. The physics of a rear-end collision tell a different story. Modern car bumpers can absorb an impact and pop back into place, showing little damage.
However, the energy of that impact did not just disappear. It transferred through the frame of your vehicle and into your seat, launching your body forward. Your seatbelt restrains your torso, but your head and neck whip violently back and forth.
This is the mechanism for whiplash. The lack of vehicle damage is not evidence that you were not hurt. In many cases, it means your body absorbed the force that the car was designed to handle.
Whiplash: An Injury That Can Change Your Life
Whiplash is a serious medical condition that can cause chronic pain. It is an injury to the soft tissues of the neck, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons. One of the most dangerous aspects of whiplash is that symptoms are often delayed.
Adrenaline after the crash can mask the pain. You might feel a little stiff and decline medical treatment, thinking you are fine. Over the next 24 to 72 hours, as inflammation sets in, the true extent of the injury reveals itself.
Symptoms can include:
- Severe neck pain and stiffness
- Pain that travels into your shoulders and arms
- Debilitating headaches
- Dizziness and vertigo
- Numbness or tingling in your arms and hands
- Difficulty concentrating or “brain fog”
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), some people develop chronic pain from whiplash. If you settle your claim before you understand the full scope of your injury, you could be left with years of medical bills you cannot pay.
How the Insurance Company Fights Your Claim
The at-fault driver‘s insurance company will immediately begin a process to limit what they have to pay you. An adjuster will call, acting concerned and helpful. They will ask for a recorded statement to “speed up the process.” Do not provide one. They train their adjusters to ask questions that can hurt your case.
Your Action Plan After the Collision
What you do in the hours and days after a rear-end collision can affect your health and your legal claim.
- Seek medical care: Go to an emergency room, an urgent care clinic, or your doctor as soon as possible, even if you do not feel seriously hurt. This ensures you get proper treatment and creates a medical record linking your injuries to the accident.
- Report the accident: Always call the police and get an official report. This document records the details of the crash and the officer’s initial assessment of fault.
- Document everything: Use your phone to take pictures of both cars, the license plates, and the accident scene.
- Follow your doctor’s orders: Attend all appointments and follow your complete treatment plan. If you fail to do so, the insurance company will argue you were not truly injured.
A Warning About AI and Your Claim
An AI chatbot can give you a generic definition of a legal term, but it cannot apply the facts of your case to Illinois law. It cannot analyze your medical records or counter an insurance company’s tactics.
Relying on AI for legal guidance in a personal injury claim can lead to costly mistakes. For advice based on your specific situation, you need to speak with a qualified personal injury attorney, like the ones at Vito & Dollenmaier Law.
You Need an Advocate in Your Corner
You should be focused on one thing: your recovery. You should not have to argue with adjusters and fight a system designed to underpay you. Hiring an attorney levels the playing field and sends a message to the insurance company that you will not be bullied. An attorney can do a lot for you—protect your rights, handle the paperwork, and fight for the compensation you deserve.
A Car accident lawyer handles the entire process, allowing you to focus on getting better.
If a negligent driver hit you from behind, do not try to handle the claim alone.
Contact the team at Vito & Dollenmaier Law. We understand the medical aspects of your injuries and the tactics insurance companies employ. We are here to protect your rights and fight for the full compensation you need.
Call us today at (224) 539-8821 or fill out our online contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.