A rear-end collision occurs when one car cannot stop in time to avoid hitting a car ahead of them. Rear-end car accidents in Flagstaff are common. Although they are often called fender benders and viewed as minor incidents, serious or nagging injuries can occur when your car is hit from behind – especially at higher speeds.
Do not assume you can handle the claim yourself. Contacting a local car accident attorney at Phillips Law Group is the best way to ensure you receive appropriate compensation for your losses. Our team has been serving the local community for over 30 years, and we are confident we have the knowledge and skills needed to help you get the best possible outcome in your circumstances, even if that means taking a case all the way to trial to aggressively advocate on your behalf.
Proving Fault in a Rear-End Collision
Arizona uses a fault-based system to determine liability in vehicle accidents. The driver who caused the accident must pay the losses of anyone else who was involved.
In most cases, the driver of the trailing vehicle is at fault for a rear-end collision. Drivers must leave enough space between vehicles to avoid a crash. However, if the forward vehicle’s brake lights were not functioning or they stopped short for no apparent reason, the forward driver could bear partial responsibility for the wreck.
Arizona Revised Statutes §12-2505 allows an injured Flagstaff motorist who is partially responsible for a rear-end accident to collect reduced damages from other negligent parties. If the case goes to a trial, a jury allocates responsibility and deducts a percentage from the injured person’s compensation to acknowledge their part in the accident. When the parties try to negotiate a settlement before a trial, the motorist’s attorney will work to ensure that they do not bear more than their share of responsibility.
Rear-Impact Crashes Can Cause Lingering Injuries
Rear-end car accidents in Flagstaff can cause serious injuries. A driver or passenger might be propelled into the windshield if they are not wearing a seatbelt. Sometimes, the impact causes airbags to deploy, which can cause fractures to the arms and upper body, severe bruising in the torso, and eye injuries. Dashboard knee is an injury that can occur when a collision forces the driver’s knee into the dashboard.
One of the most common injuries in these accidents is whiplash, or hyperextension of the neck and shoulder. These injuries are painful and slow to heal. Besides pain and limited range of motion, a person who sustains whiplash may experience numbness or tingling in the arms, dizziness, debilitating headaches, and other symptoms.
Our team can hold the at-fault driver accountable for the claimant’s medical expenses, lost wages, and the pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life they experienced while they were recovering from the accident.
Do Not Delay Seeking Medical Treatment
Sometimes, people involved in these wrecks decide they are not badly hurt and do not get a medical evaluation. Delaying an evaluation could weaken a claim against the at-fault driver.
When someone gets a medical exam soon after the accident, an attorney could use the medical record to tie their symptoms to the crash. When someone delays seeking treatment, an insurance company or other potentially liable party could assert that the claimant sustained their injury in another event or might even say that the injury is fake.
Pursue Compensation After a Rear-End Crash With a Flagstaff Attorney
Rear-end crashes can have serious consequences. Even when they cause relatively minor injuries, the at-fault driver should still be held accountable for a claimant’s medical expenses, pain, inconvenience, emotional distress, and lost wages.
Talk to the attorneys at Phillips Law Group about filing a claim for compensation after a rear-end car accident in Flagstaff. Contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.
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