Car Accident Lawyer Maricopa County, AZ

HomeCar Accident Lawyer Maricopa County, AZ

Car Accident Lawyer Maricopa County, AZ

If you have been injured in a car accident, now is the right time to reach out to a car accident lawyer Maricopa County, AZ residents trust. Even though you have approximately two years to take legal action, there is a risk of evidence being lost or destroyed. The sooner you get legal help, the stronger your case may be. Call the Saavedra Law Firm for a case review and a consultation. Your consultation will be free and if you decide to move forward we can discuss what the next steps will look like. 

If you have been injured in a car accident, you should speak with a car accident lawyer Maricopa County, AZ knows and respects, such as the Saavedra Law Firm.

No one wants to be involved in a vehicular collision; however, everyday throughout the state of Arizona, people will be injured or lose their life in an unexpected accident. Sadly, many victims were abiding by the rules of the road, but were injured because of another persons’ carelessness or negligence actions. When this happens, the losses sustained by the victim can be significant. 

As a leading Maricopa County, Arizona car accident lawyer, we have handled cases involving:

  • Distracted Driving – This is the most common reason for an accident to occur, and usually it involves a cell phone. 
  • Speeding – Approximately 1 in 5 drivers will practice speeding. 
  • Drunk Driving – Each day there are about 300,000 drunk driving accidents. It is not uncommon for the drunk driver to escape with little to no injuries. 
  • Drowsy Driving – On average, 4.2 percent of motorists fall asleep at the wheel in a 30 day period. Many of these are truck drivers rushing to get to their final destination. 

We have also handled car accidents involving failure to obey traffic signals or signs, reckless driving, aggressive driving, and more. If you were harmed because the driver of another car was in some way negligent, please don’t delay in calling a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ. 

Taking Legal Action After a Car Accident

When a driver fails to adhere to the rules, and an accident results, the motorist can be liable for any injuries, fatalities, property damage, and other losses. That being said, the financial compensation associated with these losses is not automatically given to the victim. Rather it is up to the victim to pursue the defendant. Doing this without the help of a skilled car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ is not recommended. This is because navigating the civil justice system is often very difficult, especially while you are trying to recover from any injuries. By having a lawyer on your side, you can feel peace of mind in knowing we:

  • Will make sure a police report has been filed, and get a copy of it
  • Visit the scene of the accident
  • Investigate what happened prior to the accident
  • Review any dashcam footage or photos
  • Consult with expert witnesses
  • Communicate with the insurance company
  • Help you to get medical care while you wait for your case to be finalized

Demonstrating the Burden of Proof

Even though you are the victim, you will have to demonstrate the burden of proof. In other words, you must show that the defendant:

  • Owed you a duty of care
  • Failed to adhere to that duty of care
  • You were injured because of the breach of duty
  • Because of your injuries, you suffered financial losses

Proving this can be relatively easy or very complex, depending on the circumstances of what happened. In general, a good lawyer will know how to build a case that is undeniable; thus, recovering maximum compensation for your economic and non-economic losses. 

How the Personal Injury Process Works

Not all car accidents are legally actionable. Sometimes, accidents happen and the cause is no one’s fault. For example, if all motorists involved are traveling at safe speeds down a well-maintained road and lightning strikes, causing one car to swerve into another to avoid the impact, the crash was the lightning’s fault – not anyone else’s. Similarly, some single-vehicle crashes are solely the fault of the driver involved, so accident victims can’t hold anyone else accountable for the harm they’ve suffered. However, most of the time, car accidents involving more than one party are caused by factors that are legally actionable.

In order to bring a successful personal injury claim against another party, you must prove three things. First, you must prove that the driver, auto parts manufacturer, trucking company, or another party that caused you to harm owed you a “duty of care” under the law. This isn’t usually a difficult standard to meet in a car accident case because everyone who travels or facilitates travel by road owes others on the road a duty of care. Second, you must prove that the defendant named in your case failed to uphold their duty of care by acting in ways that are legally considered to be negligent, reckless, or intentionally dangerous. Finally, you must prove that the negligent, reckless, or intentionally dangerous conduct of the defendant directly caused your injuries.

Once you attend a consultation with our firm’s experienced Arizona legal team, we’ll ask you questions about the circumstances that led to your accident. We’ll then give you our objective analysis regarding whether you may have reason to file a personal injury case. At that point, if you choose to pursue legal action, we’ll begin gathering evidence and crafting a legal strategy on your behalf. Nine out of 10 personal injury cases settle before trial, so it is unlikely that we’ll need to take your case to court. However, while we’re negotiating in the hopes of obtaining a fair settlement on your behalf, we’ll prepare your case to ensure that it is ready for trial in the event that your case progresses that far.

Considerations if You Were Driving for Work When You Crashed

Note that you may have somewhat different options available to you if you were driving for work-related reasons when you crashed. Provided that you weren’t impaired at the time of your collision, that you didn’t initiate a road rage incident, and that you weren’t trying to hurt yourself, you may be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits as long as you were engaged in work-related travel at the time of your accident. Eligibility for workers’ comp benefits will not prevent you from filing legal action against others involved in your crash. The only party you cannot sue directly if you are eligible for this type of compensation is your employer. If you aren’t eligible for workers’ comp benefits, your personal injury claims options will remain the same as if you hadn’t been working at the time of your accident.

Understanding Insurance Companies

Insurance companies are for-profit companies. Their interests likely do not meet your interests – especially when you are seeking compensation after an accident. Their goal will be to pay the least amount possible. This means that it is very common for a valid car accident claim to be drastically minimized in their value or overall severity. Without a Maricopa County, AZ car accident lawyer on your side, you may be offered much less than what you need or deserve. 

Our firm has decades of experience in negotiating fair settlements with insurance companies of all sizes, as well as litigating cases in court. 

Arizona Insurance Coverage

In Arizona, all vehicles must be covered by a policy that includes liability coverage for at least the following amounts:

  • A minimum of $15,000 per person
  • A minimum of $30,000 for 2 or more people
  • $10,000 per occurrence for property damage

Uninsured or underinsured liability coverage is not legally required. This coverage is important because it will cover you in case you are injured in an accident, and the at fault driver has no insurance, or very minimal coverage. Furthermore, if their policy won’t be enough to cover your damages, your insurance company should cover the remaining expenses – up to the limits. 

What Are the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Not all injuries from a car accident are physical. A car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, at the Saavedra Law Firm, PLC knows that even if you do not sustain a single scratch during a car accident, you may still experience post-traumatic stress disorder that has a debilitating effect on your life due to changes in thinking and behavior as a result of the horror you experienced.

Symptoms of PTSD follow recognizable patterns, making it relatively easy to diagnose. If you experience any of the following after your accident, you should seek help.

How Much Do Car Repairs Cost?

A motor vehicle accident can happen at any time. Even if you are focused on your safety, you never know when someone could come out of nowhere and collide with your vehicle. As you get out of the car, you might be looking at the damage, wondering how much it costs. Of course, there are a lot of factors that will play a role and how much your car accident could cost you. Do not forget to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, such as an attorney from the Saavedra Law Firm, PLC, who can assist you. 

Even Minor Car Accidents Can Lead To Pricey Repairs

As you take a look at the damage, you may feel like it isn’t worth it to call the police; however, remember that you cannot see underneath the metal panels on your car. There could be serious damage that you cannot see. Therefore, you always seem to get a police report that spells out what happened. Then, make sure you take your car to a collision shop. They can take a look at the damage, give an estimate of the repairs, and give you an accurate picture of how much they cost. Then, do not forget to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ who can defend your rights. 

Is Your Car Totaled?

When you take a look at the estimate, you might be wondering if your car is totaled. Every insurance company handles this differently; however, a good rule of thumb is that if the cost to repair the car is more than 70 percent of the car’s value, most insurance companies will total it. How can you make sure that you get a check that is commensurate with the value of your car? You might need to reach out to a lawyer who can advocate for you. 

Make Sure Your Rights Are Protected

Even if the police officer believes that your car is totaled, you always need to have it towed somewhere that can evaluate your car properly. That way, you can figure out if it is worth it to repair your car or replace it entirely. Remember that you can seek compensation for your property damage. For example, a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, such as a lawyer from the Saavedra Law Firm, PLC, can make sure that your rights are protected.

What Are the Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?

Not all injuries from a car accident are physical. A car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, at the Saavedra Law Firm, PLC knows that even if you do not sustain a single scratch during a car accident, you may still experience post-traumatic stress disorder that has a debilitating effect on your life due to changes in thinking and behavior as a result of the horror you experienced.

Symptoms of PTSD follow recognizable patterns, making it relatively easy to diagnose. If you experience any of the following after your accident, you should seek help.

Avoidance

Thinking about a traumatic event can be painful, so you may try to do anything in your power to avoid it. You may refuse to talk about it and get angry at other people when they try to bring it up. You may inconvenience yourself by taking a circuitous route to avoid passing by the place where it happened. If there were other people in the car with you when the accident occurred, you may avoid seeing or spending time with them.

Changes in Emotional and Physical Reactions

After an accident, you may find that you are constantly on alert, on guard against potential danger. You may find that you startle or frighten more easily. You may feel irritable, have trouble sleeping, or have impulses to engage in self-destructive behavior. Consistent arousal symptoms are not healthy, so if you experience them to a level that is disruptive, you should contact a doctor first and then a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ.

Intrusive Memories

Despite your attempts to avoid talking or even thinking about the accident, you may find that the negative memories sometimes overwhelm you, and you have no control over them. It can feel as though you are experiencing the accident all over again through vivid nightmares when you are asleep or flashbacks when you are awake.

Negative Mood and Thinking Changes

PTSD can cause memory problems that prevent you from remembering the accident at all. It can cause mood changes that cause you to feel hopeless about the future. You may have negative thoughts about yourself or others or feel emotionally numb and have difficulty experiencing positive emotions. You may feel detached from friends and family, making it more difficult to maintain close relationships. Activities you once enjoyed may no longer hold your interest.

PTSD symptoms usually are not present immediately after the accident. They may not show up for several years, but more likely occur within a few months. Most people with PTSD can be treated successfully, so if you are experiencing symptoms following a motor vehicle collision, first call a doctor and then call a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, at the Saavedra Law Firm.

Who Is Responsible for Paying Your Bills?

After a car accident, your medical expenses may be substantial. In addition to surmounting bills, you may have no income coming in because of your inability to work. The financial distress facing you could be slowing down your recovery. When you think about the fact that the accident could have been avoided, you may become upset and overwhelmed. A car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ may be able to help you. 

First and foremost, it is important to understand that who will cover your financial losses will depend on whether you were at fault or another party was. If you are at fault, your medical insurance should pay for your medical bills. In this case, you would be responsible for any copay or deductible. If another party is to blame, their insurance company will be responsible for all medical expenses. 

In the event you have been injured by an uninsured motorist, you or your Maricopa County, Arizona car accident lawyer can submit your medical expenses to your own insurance company – as long as you have UM or UIM coverage. 

The at-fault party’s insurance company won’t pay your bills until your claim has been resolved. In this case, you don’t have to do anything about your bills. Your car accident lawyer should talk to all of your doctors about your claim, and in most cases, they should agree to wait for payment. In some cases, you can ask your insurance company to cover your bills for the time being. Your insurance company will then ask the at-fault party’s insurance company for compensation/ reimbursement. 

What Are Common Injuries Sustained in a Car Accident?

You can seek compensation for any kind of injuries you sustained in a car accident, but there are many different things that law firms who specialize in car accidents see every day. Some of the most common injuries sustained include: 

  • Whiplash
  • Bruises, scratches, and scrapes
  • Torn muscles or dislocated joints

Particularly severe accidents may involve more serious injuries, such as: 

  • Traumatic brain injuries or other injuries to the head
  • Internal bleeding
  • Severed limbs 
  • Broken bones
  • PTSD from the trauma of the accident

It doesn’t matter how severe or trivial your injuries may seem. No matter what, you need to enlist in the assistance of a car accident lawyer to help you figure out how much the accident will cost you at the end of the day and what kind of compensation you deserve. You should not have to pay for things to make your life the way it was before the accident. The at fault party needs to be held accountable for their actions. 

Some Things People Seek Compensation for in a Car Accident Case

There are many different means of compensation someone might seek in a car accident case. A lawyer who has experience dealing with car accidents will know what you may be eligible for and what a judge would find fair in your case. You essentially deserve compensation for any expenses you would not have had to pay for before being in the car accident. Some of the most common things include: 

  • Compensation for medical costs
  • Compensation for property damages
  • Compensation for pain and suffering if the accident was severe
  • Compensation for lost wages due to missed work

Every case is different and a lawyer will be able to evaluate what happened at the scene of the accident to determine what kind of damages you should file for. This is one of many reasons you absolutely need a lawyer on your side. 

Common Causes of Winter Car Accidents

Snow may not be a common sight in Maricopa County, Arizona, but you never know when winter weather could develop. Furthermore, you may plan on traveling during the holiday season, which might mean you encounter snow, ice, or other forms of winter precipitation. If you are involved in a car accident this winter, make sure you see a doctor as quickly as possible. Then, reach out to a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, such as an attorney from Saavedra Law Firm, PLC. What are some of the most common causes of winter car accidents? 

Following Too Closely

One of the most common causes of car accidents during the winter is following too closely. Because the road is slick, you need to allow extra distance between yourself and the car in front of you. That way, if something happens on the road, you have time to adjust and come to a complete stop before you run into the car in front of you.

Not Having the Right Tires

Next, not having the right tires can also increase the risk of a car accident developing during the winter. If there is winter weather on the ground, your tires may have a difficult time gripping the road. Therefore, you need to have tires that still provide you with solid traction even if there is snow on the ground. You may want to talk to a professional who can help you find the right tires. 

Driving Too Quickly

Finally, speeding is another common cause of car accidents during the winter. You may need to reach out to a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ who can investigate the circumstances of the accident and see if the other driver was driving too quickly. Because the situation on the road can change quickly, you need to slow down. This can give you more time to respond to changing road conditions. 

Rely on a Car Accident Lawyer To Help You

Ultimately, there are lots of causes of winter car accidents, and it is important for everyone to put safety first whenever they get behind the wheel of a car. If you are involved in a car accident, see a medical professional as quickly as possible. Then, contact a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, AZ, such as a lawyer from Saavedra Law Firm, PLC, who can review your case. You could be deserving of compensation. 

Contact Saavedra Law Firm Today

To explore your legal options, call the Saavedra Law Firm, PLC to speak with a car accident lawyer in Maricopa County, Arizona. He or she can look at the details of your case and see what you may be eligible for in a settlement or car accident case. Your lawyer will also know what kind of evidence you need to prove fault and what a judge will find favorable in a case. Do not hesitate to reach out. You never want to miss the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit. 

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