More than 120,000 traffic accidents are recorded in the Grand Canyon state annually, except perhaps in 2020, when most people refrained from driving due to the covid-19 pandemic.
Being involved in a car crash in Arizona means that you may be entitled to recovery for your damages, thanks to the state’s strict yet considerate laws. This is done by filing a car accident claim with your insurance provider or that of the at-fault motorist.
Car accident claims usually seek to compensate for economic damages suffered as a result of the crash, from car repair costs to medical bills, lost wages- and intangible losses that might involve pain and suffering.
To maximize your chances of compensation after being involved in a car crash in Arizona, it’s important to understand how accident claims work and how you can seek help.
Below are a few tips to help you understand car accident claims in Arizona- and how to navigate them.
Consult With An Accident Injury Attorney
Having been involved in a car accident case can be detrimental to your overall well-being. While you might be entitled to a full settlement, consider the fact that you could be up against insurance companies that may not be in your best interests.
If you suffered injuries from a car crash, one of your first steps should be to consult with an experienced attorney that provides legal help for car accident victims in Arizona. It’s actually the best way to understand the process involved in filing car accident claims. They’ll not only guide you through the entire process, but they’ll also help you determine the worth of your case and the possible compensation you could receive based on the damages suffered.
To win your case, your attorney will basically need to prove two important things- either to the insurers involved or in the halls of justice if the case goes to trial. These are:
- Negligence – This is described as the failure to take preventive care while driving. A negligent driver could, in so many ways, be held liable for the car crash.
- Proving fault – Proving that the other motorist was the at-fault driver could be all you need to win a car accident settlement or compensation. This may not always come easy, as prior investigations might be involved to prove that the other party acted irresponsibly in handling their driving responsibilities.
Ensure You Know Your Rights (and Responsibilities)
As an accident victim in Arizona, you need to know your legal rights regarding your car accident case. This will not only help you in the claims process but will enable you to fully understand what you are entitled to.
Your car insurance company might be willing to help you navigate the claims process, especially if you are the victim of a car crash. Needless to reiterate. However, it’s always within your rights to have an attorney present whenever negotiating with insurers or third parties on car accident settlements.
Also, the statutes of limitation in this State could be different from the states that you might have lived or traveled in. Adhering to these limitations can have a huge impact on how your case unfolds and the time it takes for you to get a settlement or compensation.
Documenting The Scene of The Accident
Car crash victims in Arizona should ensure that they have documented the scene of the accident in the best possible way they can. This could involve taking photos, getting witness information, having a copy of the police accident report, and arming yourself with a doctor’s report if you or your passengers sustained any injuries.
Additionally, damages to the vehicle should be highlighted with date stamps, time, and location of where the ordeal took place. This will be a backup plan if all evidence fails to support your claim. One thing to note is that any permanent information regarding your car accident should be well documented and retrieved whenever requested.
Hiring The Right Attorney For The Job
An experienced car accident attorney will help bring sense into your case. They’ll be dedicated to ensuring that you are treated fairly and that you receive the compensation you deserve at the end of the day.
Not so many practicing personal injury attorneys in Arizona will have what it takes to negotiate with insurers, let alone represent you in a court of law. There are considerations that you need to be aware of before hiring just any attorney. Such might include:
- Their experience – Ensure that the personal injury attorney you hire for the job has extensive knowledge in handling car accident cases in Arizona. This should give them some advantage when it comes to the intricate processes involved when handling insurance companies.
- What’s their billing policy – Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. What this means is that you’ll receive a final invoice for the summation of the overall costs when the case is through.
- The person responsible for handling your case – hiring a personal injury law firm means that you’ll be exposed to a team of attorneys working on your behalf. This should not be a worrying factor, as each lawyer will have specific mandates. There will be an investigative team, an overseeing team, and not to mention an overseeing team.
Calculate Your Damages
If you’ve gathered all the necessary evidence and are working with a qualified personal injury attorney, then you need to have a rough figure of what you should gain from the lawsuit. You have medical bills to consider, lost wages, intangible damages such as pain and suffering, and physical damages such as might include injuries and damages to property.
A reliable accident injury attorney will come in handy in helping tabulate some of these damages and evaluating them as they appear. Not to mention is the fact that they’ll work with the witnesses and experts in the field to help draft a compensation figure best suited for your needs.
Car accident claims may differ from one state to the other. Being involved in a car crash- no matter the state, can be a traumatizing experience. Having an understanding of the laws surrounding such cases could help you easily navigate them to provide you with reasonable results. The above pointers should steer you in the right direction in helping you to amicably settle your car accident claim.
