After any type of accident, your first priority should always be to make sure that you and your passengers are safe. If you aren’t in need of medical attention and have pulled over to a safe area, you should exchange information with all other drivers involved in the accident. Unless the property damage and injuries are minimal, you should call the police to the accident to issue a police report. You should see a doctor soon if you do have any injuries, as many injuries from car accidents can get worse with time. Before filing your claim with the other driver’s insurance company, you should speak with a personal injury attorney about your case.
The drawback to hiring a car accident attorney is that you will need to pay a standard fee, usually 33%, to your attorney out of your final award. However, there is no constitutional right to a personal injury attorney, so you will be responsible for every aspect of your case if you don’t hire one. An attorney will usually be able to secure a far higher award than a self-represented litigant due to their knowledge of personal injury laws, court procedures, and insurance company tactics. This usually means receiving just as much or more than you would get on your own, without the stress and hassle of representing yourself in a personal injury lawsuit. Our attorneys offer a guaranteed value of 25% of your final award, saving you 8% or more compared to our competitors.
You can provide the other side’s insurance adjuster with basic information about the accident, but it isn’t recommended to discuss the accident in detail without first speaking to a personal injury attorney. Once you have retained a personal injury attorney, the insurance adjuster will be forced to speak to your attorney instead of you.
Many auto insurance companies will handle your vehicle damage and personal injury claims separately. You can file your claim with the opposing party’s insurance. They will likely provide recommended mechanics to repair your vehicle, but you may also take your vehicle to the mechanic of your choosing. You will need to provide your chosen mechanic with your claim number and the name and phone number of your adjuster.
If you don’t have the funds available to pay your medical expenses with or without health insurance after an accident, there may be a few options available to you. Your auto insurance policy may include MedPay, which reimburses you for medical expenses regardless of who caused the accident. If you don’t have this coverage, you can also seek treatment through a process known as medical liens. If you are in a pending personal injury case, your doctors will treat you and be compensated for your treatment out of your final award.
How this will affect your case will depend on whether the driver was actively working in their rideshare app at the time of the accident. Rideshare drivers typically drive their own vehicles and are required to maintain their own insurance coverage. However, if they were waiting for, picking up, or transporting a passenger at the time of the accident, the rideshare company’s liability insurance may also cover your expenses. Their insurance policies typically have much higher maximum coverage than state minimum and standard personal auto insurance.
If you’ve been in a car accident where you somehow emerge with no injuries or damages to your vehicle, you probably don’t have a case. If you are injured, miss work, your car is damaged, or you feel physical or mental anguish due to an accident, you may be liable to collect damages. The best way to know for sure is by consulting with a knowledgeable personal injury attorney. This will also give you a better idea of what your total award could be, and what the legal process will be like.
In Arizona, you will usually have 2 years from the date of the accident to either settle your case or file your lawsuit. This is known as a statute of limitations. There are some exceptions to the statute of limitations. For example, personal injury lawsuits against government entities must be filed within one year of the accident. However, the statute of limitations for a minor injured in an accident starts ticking when they turn 18 if their parent or legal guardian hasn’t filed a claim on their behalf.
An automobile accident case or personal injury case involving a vehicle accident in Arizona frequently includes damages:
PROPERTY DAMAGES
Property damage claims in Arizona may include:
the cost of repairs to the vehicle
the cost to recover the fair market value of the vehicle (in the event that the vehicle is a total loss)
reimbursement of rental car expenses incurred while the vehicle is not drivable
compensation for loss of use of a vehicle
residual decrease the vehicle’s fair market value after repairs.
MEDICAL BILLS and EXPENSES
A person claiming personal injury is entitled to recover the necessary and reasonable expenses for treating injuries:
medical costs & hospital bills
prescription medicine expenses
diagnostic testing
doctor treatment expenses
ambulance / paramedic charges
surgery costs and physical therapy
medical supply expenses
related / necessary medical costs
future medical attention needed because of injury
LOST INCOME and WAGES.
If it is determined that due to a personal injury, you have orders that you may not work, or you need to miss work because of medical appointments or procedures, you are entitled to reimbursement.
Recover lost wages
future wages
PAIN & SUFFERING
Persons suffering from Personal injuries sustained (physical and emotional) as a result of the negligence or intentional harm of another person are entitled to recover compensation for pain and suffering. Each case has unique issues, so consult with an experienced Arizona Personal Injury Law Attorney. Clients often seek Monetary Compensation for
physical pain
effect of the pain and injuries
effect of injuries:
and pain to do work abilities
on family life
on social activities.
future pain and suffering / healing time
OTHER TYPES of DAMAGES
Some cases have such a significant impact on one’s life, that lifestyles and relationships are greatly affected. Separate damages may be claimed for a family member, or in some cases, punitive damages are sought.
