When a vehicle attempts to merge onto a freeway or other busy street, it should match the speed of existing traffic and yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the highway. If a car sped up and hit you while merging, it might not be immediately apparent what to do next.
At Sargon Law Group, our Phoenix, Arizona personal injury attorneys serve Maricopa County drivers who experience any type of motor vehicle accident. We provide guidance and support so you can understand your legal options after a merging accident and secure the compensation you deserve.
What Should I Do if a Car Sped Up and Hit Me While Merging?
After any car crash, your top priority is to move to a safe spot and confirm your well-being. Call 911 and seek immediate medical attention, even if you do not feel any pain or symptoms immediately. When safe, exchange information with the other driver and document the scene with photographs and witness statements.
Many merging accidents are sideswipe incidents, in which the point of impact on both vehicles is the sides. In more severe cases, however, it may have been a multi-car accident or a rollover if a car sped up and hit you while merging. Be sure to contact the insurance company soon after the collision and report the nature of the accident. Contacting your personal injury lawyer early can also help ensure a smooth claim process going forward.
Is It My Fault if Someone Merges Into Me?
After a merging accident, the other party might try to blame you for not moving over when traffic was coming from an entrance lane or on-ramp. According to Arizona statute § 28-771, vehicles entering the freeway must yield the right-of-way to vehicles already on the main roadway.
Moving over for vehicles entering a freeway from an acceleration lane is a courtesy but not legally required. If another car sped up and hit you while merging, they are at fault for being negligent in scanning for existing traffic and ignoring your right-of-way.
Taking photographs of the accident scene and the damages to your vehicle can help establish who is at fault for your accident. Your personal injury attorney can use this evidence and conduct their own investigations on your behalf to build a case that clearly identifies who is responsible for your damages.
What Types of Injuries Are Common in a Merging Accident?
Many merging accidents are sideswipe collisions, resulting in very different injuries than head-on or rear-end collisions. Even so, the force of impact from a sideswipe can place immense stress on the body and cause harm in various ways. This is especially true if the accident involves more than one other vehicle or the impact forces you into a roadside obstacle.
If a car sped up and hit you while merging, you might experience injuries such as:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Back, neck or spine injuries
- Organ damage or internal bleeding
- Cuts, scrapes and contusions
- Traumatic brain injuries
Getting appropriate treatment for your injuries and keeping meticulous medical records is extremely important. These can prove your damages and clearly outline the compensation you should receive from the other party’s insurance company.
How Can I Get Compensation When a Car Sped Up and Hit Me While Merging?
Securing your rightful compensation after an accident requires filing a claim with the at-fault driver’s auto insurance provider within the time limit. In Arizona, the statute of limitations for a personal injury claim is two years from the accident date. It is often best to begin the process as soon as possible to recover your financial losses and build your case before any evidence becomes lost over time.
Your legal team can bear much of the burden when negotiating with the insurance company, but be wary of any lowball settlement offers. Accepting a settlement before you know the full extent of your damages may result in you getting less than you deserve. Up-to-date medical records, repair receipts and other documentation relating to your accident can help guarantee a satisfactory result. However, if you cannot reach a favorable outcome through negotiation alone, it may be necessary to take the matter to court.
Be aware that even if a car sped up and hit you while merging, there are certain situations in which the court may deem you partially at fault. This might occur if the other party believes they can prove you were speeding or intentionally blocking them from merging at the time of the accident. Arizona’s comparative negligence laws apply in this situation, enabling you to recover a portion of your damages in proportion to the degree of fault assigned by the court.
How Can a Personal Injury Attorney Help Me After a Merging Accident?
You will likely feel a great deal of uncertainty after a merging accident, and may have concerns regarding who is at fault, especially if a car sped up and hit you while merging. It’s possible you may also have anxiety surrounding any injuries you incurred and stress from the sheer shock of experiencing an accident in the first place. You need the time and peace of mind to physically and mentally recover from the crash. Working closely with our personal injury attorneys can give you just that.
Our Phoenix car accident lawyers at Sargon Law Group can assist with your case by:
- Investigating the cause of your accident
- Collecting evidence to establish the other party’s fault
- Helping you file your claim and complete other paperwork
- Negotiating with the insurance company and other lawyers
- Representing you in court if necessary
Whether your accident occurred because the other driver was driving while distracted, drunk or for any other reason, working with a personal injury attorney ensures that you have a supportive advocate who will give you the best chance at getting the compensation you deserve.
Contact Sargon Law Firm if a Car Hits You While Merging
If a car sped up and hit you while merging, what you do next might make a significant difference in pursuing a successful claim. Our team at Sargon Law Firm is passionate about helping drivers like you in Maricopa County cities like Glendale, Peoria and Mesa. Contact us today for a free consultation.