Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer

The number of fatalities in traffic crashes each year rivals those who die by gun violence. In 2013, there were more than 32,000 fatalities from traffic crashes across the nation, according to the CDC. That amounts to roughly 90 car crash deaths each day.

Arizona has its fair share of auto accidents too. On average, more than 100,000 auto accidents are reported each year. Of these car accidents in our state, over 700 people lose their lives and more than 33,000 sustain injuries, according to ADOT.

When a driver causes an accident, most often their insurance policy will cover the damages, both to the vehicle and to the accident victims. This is often where things get tricky, since insurance companies are for-profit companies and very rarely give out a fair settlement without pressure.

Other times, the at-fault motorist does not carry auto insurance as required by Arizona law. No insurance policy means no realistic way to get money directly from that at-fault driver. However, you still may have an accident claim to pursue. Most auto insurance policies have uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage. This allows you to make a claim against your own policy.

Here are several common causes of auto accidents in the Valley:

• Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. Driving under the influence is still a major issue nationwide. According to the federal government, over 10,000 people lost their lives in this type of collision in 2016 alone. It accounted for 28% of traffic fatalities that year. A person loses his or her life every 50 minutes in this type of collision. These deaths have been reduced by approximately 1/3 over the past 30 years, however there is still lots of room for improvement.
• Distracted Driving. Whether it’s talking on your cell phone, texting, using your GPS or even a cup of coffee, distracted driving remains a major safety issue.
• Drowsy Driving. Surprisingly, AAA estimates that over 300,000 people are involved in drowsy driving crashes every year. Over 100,000 of those collisions result in injury and over 6,000 fatalities.
• Failure to Yield. Our law firm handles this type of accident almost every day of the week. In 2018, there were just under 18,000 left turn accidents in Arizona. These resulted in 6733 injuries and 74 deaths.
• Speeding. Reducing your speed is one of the easiest ways to avoid involvement in a collision. The federal government reports that in 2018, speeding was involved in 26% of all deaths on the roads. 25 people per day lose their lives in crashes where speeding plays a role.

• Rear-end accident. This is still the most common type of accident. It often occurs when a driver isn’t paying attention, either approaching a traffic light or in stop and go traffic.
• Side impact collision. This type of crash usually takes place when someone fails to yield in an intersection or in a parking lot.
• Head-on collision. This can occur when someone is driving the wrong direction on a highway, or is going the wrong way on a one-way street, or crosses the centerline. This type of accident often involves some form of intoxication or distraction.
• Backover accident. This type of collision usually occurs in a parking lot or on a driveway. A motorist backing up fails to observe another vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist behind them.
• Chain reaction accident. Sometimes also referred to as a pile-up or multi vehicle collision. This often happens with heavy interstate traffic. Here, a vehicle hits another in front of them, hard enough to knock that vehicle into a third or more.

“Damages” is a term that lawyers and insurance companies use to discuss the money paid to a personal injury claimant as compensation for a loss or injury. Damages fall into two categories: special damages and general damages.

Special damages are damages that can easily have a monetary value placed on them, like:

• Medical services
• Doctor appointments
• Surgery costs
• Lost wages
• Loss of future income
• Future medical expenses

Special damages can be proven with medical bills, tax returns, proof of income, receipts, and other billing records. Future damages can be proved by expert opinions.

General damages account for non-economic losses, or losses that cannot easily be counted or quantified. For example, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of normal life and emotional distress.

General damages are more difficult to prove, but they are still very worth pursuing. Just think, how much is not being able to pick up your grandchild worth? What is the value of sleepless nights due to your pain? Or how much would someone have to pay you to never walk again?

If you are in an accident, we recommend that you:

• Call the authorities and make a police report. Do not let the at-fault driver talk you into skipping this step. This can sometimes cause insurance issues. Further, it allows the other side time to create a story and try to get out of accepting fault. Motorists are often more honest and forthcoming when speaking to investigating police officers at the scene.
• Exchange information with the other driver. Take photos of the other driver's insurance information and driver's license.
• Gather witness information. If there is an independent witness at the scene, make sure to take down contact information. Sometimes the police may skip this step and you may need that information later.
• Take photos. Photograph the scene of the accident, and take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved.
• Seek medical attention. If you have injuries, seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident.
• Contact an auto accident attorney in Phoenix. Seek legal help before talking to any insurance carrier. Insurance adjusters will often try to take a statement from you immediately. That statement can be used against you later on.

• Back and neck injuries: Often these injuries are soft tissue in nature and can resolve with physical therapy. However, sometimes these injuries are more significant. We often have clients that sustain bulging discs, protruding discs or herniations. This type of injury might not resolve with therapy and you may need injections or surgery to recover.
• Broken bones (fractures): Car crash attorneys in Phoenix sometimes have clients who sustain broken bones in an accident. Often victims need to undergo surgery to repair the injury. Sometimes there is permanent hardware affixed to the fracture site.
• Lacerations: Whether it’s broken glass or hitting a fixed object, drivers and passengers can suffer serious cuts in accidents. Often it’s stitches in an emergency room, but sometimes plastic surgery is necessary.
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): A violent blow or jolt to the head or body can result in a TBI. On the more serious side, this can cause a brain bleed or other physical damage with long term issues.
• Torn tendons: Periodically auto accident victims suffer a tear to a tendon. For example a torn rotator cuff or a torn meniscus. These injuries often require surgery to repair.
• Death: Tragically, not everyone survives. Our law office does work on cases involving fatalities from auto accidents.