Most rear-end car accidents are minor. They are the standard fender bender you see on the side of the road on your way home from work. Others are more serious. Your injuries depend on how fast the car is going at the point of impact. Even if the car is only going 20 miles per hour when it hits you, you can be seriously hurt. Rear-end car accidents are the most common type of accident in Phoenix.  It is almost a given that the rear car in a rear-end car accident is at fault. The same is true in all of Arizona. However, the court will also look to see if you were partially at fault. If you were, your damages will be reduced.

The judge will look to see how much of the accident was your fault. He will then reduce your award by that percentage. You need an experienced personal injury lawyer to handle this for you. The insurance company will have an attorney. You should too. You need an attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Rear-End Car Accidents

Most rear-end car accidents are due to careless drivers. People are often distracted. They don’t see that the car in front of them stopped. Or, they’re busy looking at the traffic light instead of the car in front of them.

Most rear-end accidents are caused by:

• Speeding and not being able to slow down
• Driving distractedly
• Driving with faulty brake
• Overestimating the time you have to brake
• Falling victim to the faulty brake lights of the first driver

All of these causes are avoidable. They are preventable with proper car maintenance. However, people have these types of accidents every day. If you do have faulty brakes, you will more than likely be held partially at fault. This means your damages could be reduced or dismissed, depending on the circumstances.

You Need a Phoenix Car Accident Attorney

If you’re in a rear-end car accident, you need to call an attorney. You will need to file a claim against the other driver’s insurance company and may even have to file a lawsuit. Also, you want an experienced auto accident lawyer in Phoenix to handle this for you.

You are going to want to be compensated for your injuries. But you also need to focus on getting better. Your attorney knows the law. He knows how to negotiate with the insurance companies. Let him focus on your legal issues while you recover.

Injuries from Rear-End Car Accidents

There are some very common injuries associated with rear-end car accidents. They range from not very serious to life-threatening. Your compensation depends on how serious your injuries are.

Here are some of the most common types of rear-end car accident injuries:

Whiplash

When your car is hit from behind, your head and neck are jostled about. Your neck muscles get pulled beyond their normal range. This can cause strain and pain in your neck. This is referred to as whiplash.

Whiplash is impossible to prove with photos or x-rays. The only way to prove it is with medical testimony. Your attorney will have a doctor testify about your injury. This is why it is so important that you get medical attention immediately following the accident. This is true even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Whiplash takes hours or even a day to set in. You won’t even realize you’re hurt. However, if you wait too long, it makes it hard to prove the accident caused the whiplash.

Back Injuries

Back injuries are very common in a rear-end car accident. When your car is hit from behind, your body is slammed forward. You would be very lucky indeed if you didn’t suffer a back injury. Even if it’s a muscle strain, you are likely to hurt your back.

Back injuries can be painful and long-lasting. They may require surgery and require you to go to physical therapy or the chiropractor. They can cost you an awful lot of time away from work. These are all important to your case for damages. That is why it is imperative that you seek immediate medical attention. You need proof that you suffered these injuries.

Airbag Injuries

Airbags were invented to keep us safe. It is their job to protect us from impact in a car accident. Rather than being thrown through the windshield, your airbag will be deployed. This may prevent you from serious injury. However, it can also cause damage to your face, neck, and chest.

When the airbag deploys, it lets out a lot of force. It also lets out a chemical that can cause burns. You may suffer facial lacerations and bruises. You may even suffer a broken bone. Any of these injuries may lead to time away from work or disability.

Spinal Cord Injuries

Possibly the most serious injury you can sustain is a spinal cord injury. It can lead to paralysis and nerve damage. It will most definitely impact your life for quite some time. You will probably need surgery. At a minimum, you will require long-term treatment and therapy.

Almost all spinal cord injuries can be life-threatening. Because of this, the damages associated with spinal cord injuries are high. Your rear-end car accident lawyer knows this. He will present your injuries to the court and demand compensation.

Head and Brain Injuries

Some of the scariest injuries are head and brain injuries. They are also very common in rear-end car accidents. When your car is hit hard from behind, your head will get thrown forward. Your head may even hit the steering wheel. You can suffer a skull fracture or internal bleeding.

Head and brain injuries are not always obvious. It is important that you go to the hospital so you can get tested. Doctors will look for signs of head and brain injuries.

Some signs are:

• Nausea
• Blurred vision
• Slurred speech
• Memory issues
• Ringing in the ears

If you have any of these symptoms, you may have suffered a head and brain injury. These injuries do typically carry higher damages. They can seriously impact your life. They can cause you to become permanently disabled. Your attorney will fight hard to get you the compensation you deserve.

Facial Disfigurement

When you’re in a rear-end car accident, you can end up with facial injuries. You may have broken bones or lacerations. You may suffer burns to your face. Although it may seem superficial, facial disfigurements are serious. They can be life-altering. People not only suffer physically, but they also suffer mentally. Facial disfigurement may require multiple surgeries. They may require skin grafts. These can be very painful.

Wrist and Arm Injuries

It is only natural to try to brace the impact of a collision with your arms. You reach out in front of you to shield your body from getting crushed. In the process, you end up hurting your arms and wrists. You may suffer broken bones or sprains. You may end up with cuts and bruises. These injuries aren’t usually that serious. However, if you use your hands and wrists for work, they can present a major problem. It all depends on your situation.

Seat Belt Injuries

Just like airbags, seat belts were invented to protect us. They keep us from being thrown from the car in an accident. They can also prevent us from slamming our heads or faces into the windshield. However, they can also cause injuries.

When we get into a rear-end car accident, the seat belts lock so they can keep us secure. This action can actually cause injuries. We may get cuts from the leather on the seat belt. You can get bruises and cuts to your neck, shoulder, and arms. These injuries are usually minor. However, each situation is different. You may have to get surgery or physical therapy.

Contact an Auto Accident Lawyer in Phoenix

If you have been in a rear-end car accident, you need a lawyer. The first thing to do is to seek immediate medical treatment. The next thing you need to do is contact an auto accident lawyer in Phoenix. They will review your case and help you decide what legal action to take.

Your attorney may decide that you need to file an insurance claim. He may advise you that you need to file a lawsuit. It depends on who hit you and how bad your injuries were.

If you were hurt by another driver, you will likely pursue their insurance company. However, you may have been hit by a commercial driver. You may have been rear-ended by a tractor-trailer. If that is the case, you may have to pursue multiple parties.

You should contact an experienced attorney in Phoenix, AZ. The lawyers at Warnock MacKinlay Law know how to handle a personal injury case. They have handled dozens of rear-end car accidents. They will let you know what your case may be worth.

Contact the office today for your free initial consultation. The attorneys will answer any questions or concerns you may have. Remember, you pay nothing until they win your case.