Rear-End Collisions

At Abels & Annes, P.C. our Phoenix rear-end accident lawyers understand the uncertainty in the aftermath of a serious traffic accident. In many cases, soft-tissue injuries are common for accident victims of such crashes.

What some refer to as whiplash is really a series of possible injuries to the muscles and tendons, nerves and vertebrae of the neck. While some dismiss the consequences of soft-tissue injuries, such injuries from rear-end collisions may actually be quite serious.

In some cases, neck injuries can become increasingly debilitating. This, while insurance companies balk at paying the ongoing cost of treatment. In other cases, the severity of such injuries may take days or even weeks to become apparent.

Failure to consult with an experienced law firm or gather other relevant facts at the time of the crash may hinder your ability to later collect damages should medical complications arise. Too often, rear-end collisions are not taken seriously enough by those with injuries and plaintiffs often damage their own cases by trying to handle insurance adjusters on their own.

• Intersections at traffic lights
• Congested freeways with stop and go traffic
• Parking lots

The use of red-light cameras and other intersection enforcement efforts can further exacerbate the risks. SUVs and other taller, heavier vehicles may pose additional risks to the new generation of small, hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles taking to the road.

At Abels & Annes, we believe everyone deserves immediate access to experienced legal representation following a traffic collision. Accident victims can speak to a personal injury attorney in Phoenix free of charge. In such cases, you will only pay our fees if there is success in making a recovery on your behalf.

In many cases, the driver of the rear vehicle receives a ticket when a rear-end collision occurs. The driver and any passengers riding in the front vehicle may make a claim against the rear-driver and his insurance company. They may be responsible for paying for medical bills, lost wages and other damages.

The most common causes of rear-end collisions include:

• Distracted driving
• Following too closely
• Speeding
• Driving too fast for conditions
• Drunk Driving
• Drowsy Driving

These crashes can be devastating at high speeds. Further, they may trigger a chain-reaction collision. Even at low speeds, neck and back injuries can result in debilitating medical conditions.

Chain-reaction crashes may complicate a motorist’s claim for damages. In some cases, more than one at-fault driver may be pursued. Conducting an independent investigation of the accident is often warranted.

The sooner you consult with an experienced Phoenix rear-end collision lawyer, the sooner we can begin moving to protect your rights and the financial wellbeing of you and your family.

In very serious accidents, a rear-end collision may result in an underride of the vehicle in front of you.

Underride collisions are one type of accident for which the rear-vehicle may not be totally to blame. Research by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has consistently found the rear-guards on large trucks are inadequate in many collision tests and accident scenarios. Even when they meet government standards, underride guards frequently fail.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates more than 400 fatalities a year occur after a vehicle strikes the rear of a large commercial semi trailer. Another 5,000 motorists suffer serious injury.