Car Accident Lawyer Tempe, AZ

A bad car accident can change your life in an instant, making you incur lots of damages you should not have to pay. We are here to help you with all the next steps after a collision, from tallying damages to advocating for their fair recovery on your behalf.

We can also obtain all the evidence you need to win your case, such as eyewitness testimony, photos, videos, and medical records. We can then organize that evidence into a compelling case that proves the defendant is more than likely liable for the crash. You may not have to go to trial if we reach a sizable settlement, which is relatively common in personal injury lawsuits.

For a free and confidential case discussion with our car accident lawyers, call the Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm at (480) 428-0816.

What Should Be My Next Steps After a Tempe, AZ Car Accident?

In the moments after a crash, focus on calling 911 and seeking medical attention. In the days after, focus on initiating your case with our lawyers.

Dial 911 and Get to Safety

The first thing you should worry about is your physical safety. If you can, move away from the road to avoid further injury. Then, turn your attention to informing the police. You should report any collision that results in injury, death, or significant property damage to ensure clear documentation of the event.

Seek Medical Attention

If you are injured in any way, you should go to the hospital from the accident scene. Paramedics may offer to take you; let them. Do not minimize any pain or discomfort you feel. Adrenaline might make you ignore less obvious injuries like internal bleeding, so it is always a good idea to get checked out after a serious crash.

Stay on top of your physical recovery and treatment after an accident. Attend all scheduled appointments, see any specialists as needed, and do not do anything that could worsen the injury, such as returning to work.

Initiate Your Case

Next, focus on initiating your compensation claim with our car accident lawyers. Doing this promptly is preferable so we can report the accident to the relevant insurance company, gather medical records, interview eyewitnesses, and take other important steps toward building a strong compensation claim in Arizona.

Once two years have passed since the crash, you most likely lose your chance to file a lawsuit, so do not wait.

What Evidence Can a Car Accident Lawyer Obtain for Me?

Let us worry about preserving and collecting evidence, such as witness statements, medical records, and more.

Eyewitness Statements

Interviewing eyewitnesses immediately is very important. Small but crucial details might fade from memory over time, so we must preserve statements right away. You may request names and phone numbers from witnesses at the scene before you leave to go to the hospital. Police officers may also speak with witnesses and record their statements.

The victim of the crash is also a witness, so we will also take your statement and may have you testify if the lawsuit goes to trial.

Expert Witness Statements

We can also use our experience and resources to get the appropriate expert witnesses for your case. Experts can testify about the severity and prognosis of an injury, the likely cause of an accident, and other crucial details that influence compensation.

Photos

Send us any pictures you took on your phone while at the scene. We may get additional photos from law enforcement or other eyewitnesses. Even a picture that seems useless might contain helpful information, so do not delete anything before showing us.

Medical Records

Without the evidence of injury found in medical records, the plaintiff cannot prove that they were injured, needed medical treatment, or incurred any medical damages. Our attorneys can obtain records from all providers on your behalf and present them during your case.

Video Footage

Video footage may come from security cameras, dashboard or doorbell cameras, and even smartphones. We can explore all potential sources of video footage and review it before it is deleted or overwritten.

What Can Happen if I Do Not Have a Car Accident Attorney in Tempe, AZ?

If you do not have a reliable attorney in your corner, there is a greater chance of you miscalculating your damages and making other crucial missteps that affect your compensation.

Miscalculate Damages

Seeking compensation without an experienced lawyer's help puts you at risk of miscalculating your damages. Medical bills pile up quickly and are easily misplaced, and we can carefully track all hospital visits and their cost.

We can also factor in future damages in our calculations and request relief for the economic and non-economic damages you expect to incur.

Miss the Statute of Limitations

You are also at risk of missing the statute of limitations if you do not have a skilled car accident lawyer in your corner after a collision. In general, you have two years from the accident to file your case. Arizona provides several exceptions to this rule, and we can check whether any apply to extend your filing deadline.

Settling Too Quickly

Our attorneys can advocate for your full and fair recovery, stopping you from settling the case too quickly. Settlement offers from the defense generally improve over time, so accepting one of the first few offers could make you miss out on too much compensation.

Fail to Prove Fault

We know what it takes to meet the standard of proof in a car accident lawsuit and hold a defendant liable. Without our car accident lawyers, you might lack the evidence needed to prove fault and convince the jury that you deserve compensation for all medical expenses, lost wages, and non-economic damages.

What Can My Lawyer Do to Settle My Car Accident Case?

There is much we can do to settle your car accident case out of court so you can avoid a trial and get compensation sooner.

Know the Claim's Value

To settle your lawsuit fairly, we must know the claim's value. This requires us to carefully track all economic and non-economic losses, as well as the bills and other evidence that prove them.

Reject Unfair Offers

When we know the claim's value, we can better identify and reject bad settlement offers. Accepting a bad offer and signing the agreement ends your case, and you cannot seek additional compensation later.

Leverage Evidence

We can also leverage some of our strongest evidence during settlement negotiations so the defense understands their chance at trial. Eyewitness statements are good leverage, as is video footage and photographic evidence. Rather than go to court and face public liability, the defense may agree to settle for a large sum without a trial.

Tempe, AZ Car Accident Lawyer FAQs

Is Getting a Lawyer After a Car Accident Worth It?

Getting a lawyer after a car accident is typically worth it if you are injured, were not at fault, and need any compensation for medical expenses, property damage, or other damages.

How Soon Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Tempe, AZ?

You should contact us about your case immediately after an accident, as waiting can cause evidence to be lost or degraded, especially video footage and eyewitness statements.

Do You Need Photos for a Car Accident Lawsuit?

Photos are key evidence and can help us reconstruct the collision. Use your phone or another device to take many pictures after the crash, and do not delete any before sending them to us.

Who Gets Eyewitness Statements for a Car Accident Lawsuit?

We can contact and interview eyewitnesses to preserve their statements about an accident. You may talk to witnesses at the scene and request their contact information, which we may also learn from the police report.

Can Your Lawyer Get Medical Records After a Car Accident?

With your consent, we can retrieve all medical records from the hospital, specialists, and other physicians to prove your injuries and damages. Tell us where you were treated so we can obtain these documents.

Can Your Lawyer Reconstruct a Car Accident in Tempe, AZ?

We can use photos, videos, property damage, eyewitness statements, and accident reports to reconstruct collisions and show the jury what most likely happened.

What Economic Damages Can Your Lawyer Track After a Car Accident?

Our attorneys can track all the following economic damages and more after a car crash in Tempe:

• Hospital bills
• Ongoing care costs
• Property damage
• Lost wages

What Non-Economic Damages Can Your Lawyer Track After a Car Accident?

We will also tally non-economic damages by learning everything we can about the pain and suffering you have endured since the accident. Physical pain, emotional distress, mental suffering, and other intangible damages are recoverable.

Who Decides if a Car Accident Case Goes to Trial in Tempe, AZ?

If either party does not wish to settle the car accident lawsuit, it goes to trial. We will help you decide whether or not to accept a settlement or go to court based on the claim's value and strength.

What Does Your Car Accident Lawyer Have to Prove?

When car accident lawsuits go to court, our lawyers must prove by a "preponderance of the evidence" that it is more likely than not that the defendant bears liability. We must prove they owed you a duty of care, they breached their duty, their breach of duty injured you, and you suffered damages.

Do You Have to Testify to Get Pain and Suffering?

Plaintiffs do not always have to testify to recover damages for their pain and suffering. However, speaking to the jury directly may make them more sympathetic to your intangible losses.

Can You Sue for Your Car Accident Injuries?

Do not downplay your injuries or think they are too insignificant to sue for, especially if you have incurred any medical expenses or other damages because of someone else's negligence.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Arizona Car Accident Claims?

The personal injury statute of limitations for car accident claims in Tempe is two years, according to A.R.S. § 12-542. In general, the clock begins to count down on the accident's date.

Does Arizona Limit Damages for Car Accident Victims?

Arizona's state constitution prohibits caps on damages in personal injury claims, meaning you can seek full compensation for all losses, no matter how great.

How Long Do Car Accident Cases Take?

Some car accident lawsuits are resolved via settlement within a matter of weeks or months. In contrast, others take much longer and may even go to trial. All cases are unique, and we can assess yours to estimate how long it may be before you get the compensation you seek.

Call Our Attorneys for Help After a Tempe, AZ Car Accident

Contact the Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm's car accident lawyers for a free case evaluation by calling us today at (480) 428-0816.