What Should I Do After My Rear-End Accident in Florida?

A close-up view of two cars involved in a rear-end collision, showing damage to the vehicles

An experienced attorney explains your options and the legal process

You’re driving down I-95 or the Florida Turnpike. The car in front of you slows down. You do what any sensible driver would do – you slow down, too. Unfortunately, not all drivers behave the same way on Florida’s interstates and streets. Many are speeding, distracted or doing something else they shouldn’t be doing behind the wheel.

The result? You just got hit from behind by the car in back of you. Your vehicle slams into a guardrail. Your air bag deploys. You’re in pain and disoriented. Knowing what to do after a rear-end accident can be overwhelming. But the steps you take immediately afterwards and in the coming days can often make a dramatic difference in the outcome of your case.

That’s why our Florida rear-end accident attorneys at Personal Injury Legal Solutions want to help. We know how confusing and chaotic such situations can be for many people. Many people have never been in a car accident before. So when a crash happens, it’s hard to even know where to start. We’ve included some helpful tips in this article. We also strongly urge you to contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. We’re in your corner and ready to fight for you.

How common are rear-end accidents in Florida?

Very common. On average, there’s a rear-end accident in Florida every four minutes and 26 seconds, according to annual accident statistics compiled by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).

These numbers are based on the fact that roughly 30 percent of all car accidents are rear-end collisions, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 2024, there were 381,339 car accidents statewide in Florida. So based on NHTSA estimates, there were roughly 114,401 rear-end collisions last year in Florida.

What should I do after my rear-end accident in Florida?

Immediately After Your Accident

Getting rear-ended can leave you shaken and unsure of what to do next. But what you do in the minutes, hours and days after your crash can have a major impact on your health, your finances and your legal case. That’s why it’s important to act fast and protect yourself.

If you were hit from behind by another driver in Florida, here are some of the most important steps you should take immediately after your rear-end accident:

Call 911 and report the crash.
Wait for police to arrive and make a report.
Get medical attention right away, even if you don’t feel seriously hurt.
Take photos of the crash scene, including damage to your car and any visible injuries.
Get the name, phone number and insurance info from the driver who rear-ended you.
Get names and contact information for any witnesses who saw your crash.
Write down the location, time and conditions when the crash happened.
Don’t talk about the accident with the other driver or anyone else at the crash site.
Call a Florida rear-end accident lawyer as soon as possible.

A Few Hours After Your Rear-End Crash

If your rear-end accident happened a few hours ago in Florida and you’re no longer at the crash site, there are other things you can do to strengthen your legal case:

If you have not already done so, have a doctor examine you to make sure you don’t have a life-threatening injury.
Write down everything you can remember about your accident. The more details, the better.
Do not post anything about your accident on social media.
Save all medical records, bills and accident-related documents.
Get on the phone and call a lawyer if you have not already done so.

A Few Days After Your Rear-End Collision

If your rear-end crash occurred several days ago, there’s still more work to do to build a strong legal case in support of your injury claim:

Keep a journal of how you feel every day after your accident. If you’re in a lot of pain, write it down so there’s a record of your medical condition.
If you receive a phone call from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, don’t talk to them. Anything you say can be used to reduce or deny your injury claim.
If the other driver’s insurance company keeps calling, simply tell them to call your lawyer. You are under no legal obligation to speak with the other driver’s attorney.
Contact the police officer who investigated your crash and ask for a copy of your official Florida car accident report. That way, you can review the report to make sure it’s accurate. If you’re not sure who to contact or how to get a copy of your record, contact us. We can do this for you.
Talk to your Florida car accident attorney to find out the status of your case. And if you haven’t already called a lawyer, do so right away.

Should I accept a settlement offer for my rear-end accident?

Soon after a rear-end crash, don’t be surprised if the at-fault driver’s insurance company offers you money to settle your case. You might be very tempted to accept such an offer. But just because they’re offering cash doesn’t mean it’s fair – or enough to cover your long-term needs. In most cases, the first offer is a bad offer.

Insurance companies know that people are stressed and overwhelmed after a crash. They hope you’ll take the first check without asking questions. But many injuries take weeks or months to fully show up, and the medical bills can keep growing long after the accident.

Before you accept any settlement, talk to an attorney at our law firm. We can review your offer and determine if it truly covers all your losses – now and in the future. If it doesn’t, we’ll fight for the compensation you rightfully deserve.

Should I file a rear-end accident lawsuit?

Sometimes, filing a lawsuit is the best way to get the compensation you need. If the insurance company won’t treat you fairly or refuses to pay for your losses, a lawsuit may be necessary. That’s especially true in serious rear-end accident cases involving long-term injuries.

In Florida, you may be entitled to recover damages, which is the legal term for compensation for financial losses. Such compensation may include money for:

Medical expenses
Vehicle repairs or replacement costs
Lost income
Pain and suffering

A lawsuit gives you the legal tools to demand accountability from the at-fault driver and their insurance company. We prepare every case as if it will go to court. That way, we’re ready for anything – and the insurance companies know it. If filing a lawsuit is the best path forward, we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Why are rear-end accident claims denied?

You would think that injury claims for rear-end collisions in Florida would be straightforward. Unfortunately, that’s often not the case. Even when another driver was clearly at fault, rear-end accident injury victims often have a hard time getting the money they rightfully deserve.

There are many reasons why your rear-end injury claim might be denied. Each accident is different but some of the common reasons why include:

Some insurance companies don’t think rear-end accidents are that serious.
Other insurance companies downplay the severity of injuries sustained in these crashes.
You might be blamed for causing the collision, even if you didn’t do anything wrong.

Either way, many insurance companies do everything they can to reduce or deny claims for one simple reason – to save money. That’s why it’s critical that you know what to do after your rear-end accident. Otherwise, you might not get the money you need from insurance companies. And if that happens, you could end up having to pay for your accident out of your own pocket, even if the other driver was clearly at fault.

Discover what our Florida rear-end accident attorneys can do for you

Don’t underestimate the complexity of your rear-end accident. The sooner you have a Florida rear-end accident lawyer working with you, the better. Our team of attorneys takes a hands-on approach to every rear-end crash we handle at Personal Injury Legal Solutions.

You need to act fast after your accident to protect your legal rights. Contact us to schedule your free case evaluation. We handle rear-end accident claims and lawsuits throughout Central and South Florida.