Auto Accident Injury in Phoenix, AZ

Have you suffered an injury due to a car accident in Phoenix? If so, your life may never be the same again. Injuries from a car accident can interfere with your ability both to work and to enjoy everyday activities. They can also be incredibly painful. As such, you need an auto accident attorney who understands the laws in and around Phoenix, AZ that will fight for your legal rights and help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Injury Statistics in Phoenix, Arizona

According to the National Safety Council, in 2019 about 4.4 million people suffered serious injuries in motor vehicle accidents and an estimated 38,000 were killed. In Arizona the state Department of Transportation website tallies 129,750 crashes across the state in 2019 and in the same year, 53,809 injuries were caused by crashes.

The state had 6.2 million vehicles registered as of 2019, among only 5.4 million registered drivers. According to authorities, in 2019 crash fatalities dropped to their lowest point in three years. Officials in Arizona attribute the improvement to an 11.8% decrease in distracted driving, which is the #1 cause of accidents across the state.

What to Do After an Auto Accident

It’s important to be prepared in the event you are a victim of a car accident. Below are the steps to remember immediately after your crash.

Receive Immediate Medical Attention

What is the most important step that you need to take after an auto accident? You need to receive immediate and proper medical treatment. You may believe that the injuries sustained after an auto accident are minor. Proper medical treatment helps ensure that you have not sustained any internal injuries that you may not be aware of.

File a Police Report

Even if no one sustained injuries, you still need to call 911 and request law enforcement assistance. When officers arrive, jot down each one’s name and badge number. Answer their questions honestly, but don’t volunteer any unasked for information, especially your thoughts on exactly what happened or who caused the car accident. Be sure to ask the officers for the number of their police report. Also ask when and where you can get a copy of it, including how much it will cost you.

Many localities offer online filling services. However, in Phoenix you must submit an accident report form in person. The Phoenix Police Department requires that you notify them immediately after any accident, and remain on scene until officials arrive. Then an officer will write a report on the scene that you can later access by contacting the police. Reports are usually available as soon as 24 hours after the incident.

Gather the Appropriate Documentation

While waiting for officers to arrive after a car accident, collect information from all other drivers involved in the accident, including the following:

• Full name, address, phone number and email address
• Driver’s license state and number
• Auto insurance company name, policy number and phone number

Use your cell phone to take pictures of each driver’s license, auto insurance card, your vehicle and each additional vehicle involved in the car accident. Don’t rely on verbal communication. Having as much information as possible will only help you and your case later on. Try to keep this exchange as civil and friendly as possible. However, do not apologize for causing the accident or indicate in any way that you think you may have caused it. 

Recovering Damages After an Auto Accident Injury

After surviving a car accident, the emotional and economic toll it takes can be staggering. You are not only dealing with the mental anguish that comes with being involved in a crash, but you may also be experiencing severe physical harm as well.

Common injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents include:

• Burn injuries
• Back and neck injuries, such as whiplash
• Brain and head injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
• Soft tissue injuries

In Arizona the total economic fallout of auto accidents was over $18 billion. In Maricopa County, home to Phoenix the total was $10,561,399,541 according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. That’s over $10.5 billion paid out to drivers involved in accidents in and around the Phoenix area. The Arizona DOT also provides a crash cost analysis. Accidents involving serious injury cost an average of $550,499. Minor injury crashes come to an average cost of $149,132. If there is a possibility of injury the average cost was $103,145 and any accident where there is property damage only averages a cost of $10,680.

Hiring a car accident lawyer ensures you have the financial ability to cover any losses that have occurred as a result of a crash. An auto accident attorney will also help you handle the paperwork that you will have to complete from insurance companies. This boosts your odds of receiving the insurance compensation you deserve.

Auto Accident Laws in Arizona

Liability Laws for Phoenix

When car accidents happen, it is essential to determine who bears responsibility for the resulting damage and medical bills. Determining fault impacts everything from your insurance claim and level of liability to the amount of confusion you may endure during the claims process. 

Arizona is an at-fault or “tort”state. This means that the driver who causes an accident must use their insurance to pay for the other driver’s expenses stemming from the collision. In Arizona, car insurance is mandatory and all drivers must have at least $15,000 in liability coverage and at least $30,000 for accidents involving more than one person. However, other types of auto insurance coverages are not required, such as coverage for damage to your vehicle, coverage for your medical expenses, and protection against uninsured drivers or drivers with minimum insurance. 

Statute of Limitations in Phoenix

Each state has its own tort laws that determine the statute of limitations on a claim. In some states, this gives you just one year to file a claim in court, while some others may give you up to six years. Arizona is a state that gives you a fairly slim time margin. The statute of limitations in the state is 2 years and In Phoenix, you must submit a car crash report within 24 hours of the accident, or you could run into problems filing a claim even before the statute of limitations expires.

This is why it is important to consult with an attorney immediately after your car crash. Don’t wait and risk losing out on any compensation they can recover.

Work With an Experienced Auto Accident Lawyer Near Phoenix, AZ

After a car accident, you have enough to worry about. We can help you find an auto accident attorney for your unique case. Get the financial restitution that you deserve if you’re the victim of someone else’s conduct.

Submit a request online or call us today at (866) 345-6784 to get in touch with an experienced lawyer in Arizona!