I Got Rear-Ended — Now What?

You're sitting in traffic on the 405, minding your business, maybe changing the song or just trying to get home—and bam. Someone slams into the back of your car.

Now your neck hurts, your bumper’s wrecked, and your day just took a turn for the worse.

If you just got rear-ended in Los Angeles, you’re probably asking yourself:
“Am I supposed to call someone?”
“Is this worth a case?”
“Do I actually need a lawyer?”

Here’s what you need to know—straightforward, no fluff.

Step 1: Check Yourself (and Everyone Else)

Even if you don’t feel hurt right away, don’t ignore it. Rear-end crashes often lead to:

• Whiplash
• Back or neck pain
• Headaches or dizziness (yes, even days later)

Adrenaline can mask real damage. Get checked out ASAP—urgent care, ER, or your doctor. That paper trail helps both your recovery and your case later.

Step 2: Get It All on Record

Pull over somewhere safe. Then:

• Snap pics of both cars (damage, license plates, wide shots, street signs, etc.)
• Get the other driver’s info (name, phone, insurance, license)
• Talk to witnesses, if anyone saw it happen
• Ask for a police report number if officers show up

Important: Don’t say “I’m fine” or “It’s no big deal.” Keep it neutral. You might not feel the pain until tomorrow.

Step 3: File the Report (but Watch What You Say)

In California, you're legally supposed to report an accident to the DMV if:

• Anyone was injured
• There’s over $1,000 in damage (spoiler: there probably is)

Also:

• Tell your insurance, but skip the deep dive until you talk to a lawyer.
• Don’t speak to the other driver’s insurance until you’ve gotten legal advice.

They're not calling to help you. They're calling to find a way to pay you less.

Step 4: Figure Out Who’s Liable

Most of the time, the driver who hit you is at fault—rear-end crashes are usually open-and-shut.

But in LA, things get messy:

• Did someone slam on the brakes with no reason?
• Was it a chain-reaction crash with multiple cars?
• Did your brake lights fail?

Bottom line: you need someone to sort it out. A good personal injury lawyer will investigate the details and protect you from getting blamed for something you didn’t cause.

Step 5: Call a Rear-End Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles

Here’s where things get real. You’re probably dealing with:

• Pain that won’t go away
• Missed work
• A totaled car
• Insurance games

That’s where we come in.

At 911 Legal Team, we handle rear-end collisions every single day. We know how to deal with adjusters, get your medical care covered, and fight for full compensation—including:

• ER bills
• Physical therapy
• Lost income
• Pain and suffering
• Future medical needs

And you don’t pay us a dime unless we win.

‍

Getting rear-ended is stressful enough. You shouldn’t have to fight with insurance companies or guess what to do next.

Let us take the pressure off. Call 911 Legal Team for a free consultation, and we’ll walk you through the next steps, no strings attached.

We’ll handle the legal side. You just focus on getting better.

‍