Phoenix Rear-End Collision Lawyer

Were you rear-ended in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, or elsewhere in the East Valley? A rear-end collision lawyer in Phoenix can take on the insurance company while you focus on getting better. Back to our Phoenix car accident lawyer page.

Below, we cover:

• What to do after the crash
• Who is at fault under Arizona law
• The injuries these crashes cause
• How insurers try to pay less
• The deadlines you face and the damages you may be able to recover

The insurer already has people working on its side. You should too. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.

What to do after a rear-end crash in Phoenix

1. Get safe and call 911. Turn on your hazard lights. Move out of traffic if you can do it safely. Tell the dispatcher if anyone is hurt.
2. Get medical care the same day. Do this even if you feel "just sore." Neck, back, and head injuries can show up hours or days later. Go to the ER, urgent care, or your own doctor, and tell them you were rear-ended.
3. Photograph both vehicles. Get the bumpers, trunk, tailgate, and hitch. Photograph damage that looks minor, too. Then take pictures of the scene, the traffic signal, the road, and any visible injuries.
4. Get the other driver's information. You need their name, phone number, driver's license, plate number, insurance company, and policy number. A photo of their license and insurance card works.
5. Find witnesses. Get names and phone numbers from anyone who saw the crash, including other drivers and people at nearby businesses.
6. Look for cameras. Nearby stores, gas stations, and homes may have video of the crash. So may dash cameras in your car or other cars. Footage may be recorded over, so act quickly.
7. Get the police report. Phoenix Police handles crashes on city streets. Arizona DPS handles state highways and freeways. Write down the report number and the officer's name.
8. Call us before any recorded statement. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT before you give a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own. Don't ignore your own insurer, though. Your policy may require you to cooperate, and we can help you do that while protecting your claim.

Arizona laws that affect your claim

Following too closely. Arizona law says a driver shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent. The driver has to consider speed, traffic, and the road (A.R.S. § 28-730).

Who is at fault. The rear driver is often at fault, but not always. Insurers may argue that you stopped suddenly, cut into the lane, or had broken brake lights. The evidence decides who caused the crash. That is why photos, video, and witnesses matter so much.

Sharing fault. Arizona uses pure comparative fault (A.R.S. § 12-2505). Even if you share some of the blame, you may still recover damages. Your recovery is reduced by your share of the fault. An insurer that pins even part of the crash on you pays less, so expect it to try. There are exceptions, such as A.R.S. § 12-711 for some alcohol- or drug-related situations, so talk to us about your facts.

Deadlines. Most injury lawsuits in Arizona must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). Claims against a city, county, or the state move faster:

• A notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01).
• The lawsuit generally must be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821).

For example, say a city bus or a city truck rear-ends you at a light. Those shorter public-entity deadlines may apply. Don't wait to call.

Common types of rear-end collision cases

Rear-end crashes are the most common type of multi-vehicle crash in Arizona. In 2024 there were 38,654 rear-end crashes, 37.51% of multi-vehicle crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 3-1). Of those, 12,221 were injury crashes, 38.35% of multi-vehicle injury crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 3-1).

Statewide, Arizona had 121,107 crashes that year, with 1,228 people killed and 54,426 injured (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 1-1). Phoenix alone had 37,472 crashes, including 10,449 injury crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5).

Common causes include:

• Drivers looking at phones
• Following too closely
• Speeding
• Stop-and-go traffic
• Impaired driving

When the driver behind you was drunk or high, see our page on crashes caused by drunk drivers.

These are cases we see often:

• Stop-and-go traffic at signals and intersections. Rear-end crashes happen every day on city streets across Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, and the East Valley. Most of our crash cases happen on city streets and at intersections.
• A distracted driver. You stop for a red light. The driver behind you is looking at a phone and never slows down.
• Chain-reaction crashes. One car hits another, which hits you. More than one driver and more than one insurer may be involved, and the insurers may point at each other. We sort out who hit whom and which policies apply.
• "Minor damage" crashes. Insurers may argue that little visible damage means little injury. Vehicle damage doesn't tell the whole story. Your medical records, your treating doctors, and other expert witnesses when a case needs them can show how you were hurt.
• Drivers with little or no insurance. Arizona's minimum bodily injury coverage is $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident (A.R.S. § 28-4009). Insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage in writing, though drivers can decline it (A.R.S. § 20-259.01). If you have this coverage, your own policy may help. Learn more about uninsured and underinsured motorist claims.
• The driver took off. A rear-end crash by a driver who flees is a hit-and-run accident, and different steps apply.

Evidence and damages

Rear-end crashes can cause many kinds of injuries. This is general information, not medical advice. Common injuries include:

• Whiplash and other neck and back soft-tissue injuries
• Herniated discs
• Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries
• Wrist, shoulder, and knee injuries from bracing for impact

Symptoms can show up hours or days later. Your health comes first, so get the care you need and follow up with your doctors. Insurers may point to gaps in treatment, but if you had to wait or miss visits, that happens. Tell us, and we'll explain your options.

Evidence we gather

• The police report and any officer notes
• Photos of both vehicles, the scene, and your injuries
• Video from nearby businesses, homes, and dash cameras
• Witness names and statements
• Repair estimates, damage photos, and total-loss paperwork
• Your medical records and input from your treating doctors
• Crash reconstruction experts and other expert witnesses when a case needs them

Damages you may be able to recover

Depending on the facts, you may be able to recover:

• Medical bills
• Future care
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity if your injuries affect your ability to work
• Pain and suffering
• Property damage, including repair or total-loss value
• Rental car expenses

How Kent Law handles rear-end collision cases

Kent Law focuses on personal injury, and most of our cases are motor vehicle collisions. Here is what that means for you:

• We don't let them lowball you. Insurers call rear-end crashes "minor" to pay less. We answer with evidence. We don't back down, and we fight for every penny of compensation you deserve.
• We recover millions of dollars for injured clients every year.
• We have handled thousands of injury cases.
• From negotiation to trial: we handle negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration and trial.
• Denied or stalled claims: we take on denied and stalled claims, including cases already at the litigation stage.
• Some insurance adjusters and defense attorneys have hired Kent Law for their own injury cases. They know how the other side works, and they chose us.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Our managing attorney, Jonathan Henry, has extensive trial experience. Our founding partner, Adam C. Kent, has practiced in Arizona since 2006. He started his career as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and founded Kent Law in 2011. Attorney Andrew Shaver rounds out the team.

Where your case is filed depends on court rules and the facts, such as where the crash happened and where the parties live. Phoenix-area and East Valley cases are usually filed in Maricopa County Superior Court. We regularly file in Pima and Pinal counties too.

We have one office, in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. From there, we serve Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.

What it costs

Kent Law handles rear-end collision cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. Your case review is free. Before you sign anything, we explain the written fee agreement so you know exactly how it works.

Talk with a Phoenix rear-end collision lawyer

You were stopped, and someone hit you. Now the insurance company wants to call it minor. Let us push back. Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT to talk about your rear-end crash. Free case review. No fee unless we win.

Se habla español. Interpretation is always available.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.