CALL NOW

Call 24/7 for a FREE case evaluation

Call now (866) 393-4334

$100,000,000

in California case results

$20,000,000

in California jury verdicts

14

award-winning attorneys in network

Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Buckeye

You may have many questions when you are involved in a car wreck, we are here to help! We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by car accident victims in the city of Buckeye.

Are Car Crashes Common In Buckeye, Arizona?

Whether Buckeye experiences more or less car crashes than other areas of the state is difficult to tell. Comparable statistics can be hard to come by.

Overall, Arizona can be a challenging place to drive. The state’s many urban areas, major highways, and twisting mountain roads contributed to more than 120,000 crashes in 2021 alone.

Do I Need An Auto Accident Lawyer To File A Personal Injury Claim?

From a legal perspective, you don’t need to hire a lawyer to represent you in a personal injury case.

However, due to the complexities of these situations, the amount of money potentially at stake, and the potential difficulty of putting a case together, hiring an experienced attorney is highly recommended.

How Much Is The Average Personal Injury Settlement From A Car Accident?

The amount of money accident victims receive in a personal injury case can range anywhere from a few thousand dollars to tens of thousands or beyond. It all depends on a great number of factors.

An experienced auto injury attorney should be able to give you a ballpark estimate during a free consultation.

Car crashes can be devastating events, causing everything from property damage to personal injury. But a good legal team can help mitigate the damage. If you or a loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, a top Buckeye, AZ attorney can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Damage side door after a car crash on highway

If you’ve been impacted by an auto accident, you may have any number of concerns. How can a Buckeye car accident attorney help?

These lawyers are experts, not just in personal injury law but the specifics of how that law functions in Maricopa County. And their years of experience handling Buckeye car accidents will give them valuable insight in how to best build your case.

Legal representation will also give you a bigger seat at the negotiation table, which can be crucial when going toe-to-toe with law offices hired by other parties involved in the crash.

A good lawyer can offer not only solid legal advice, but a source of support to help you get through the personal injury claim process.

 

Who’s At Fault For A Car Accident In Buckeye, AZ?

In car accident cases, fault is generally dictated on a sliding scale, ranging from “negligence,” to “reckless and wanton behavior.”

Rolling through a stop sign could be considered negligent, while DUI or other obvious mistakes are considered reckless. The idea is to hold people more accountable for their intentions, rather than the consequences of their actions.

In Arizona, it’s possible for several people or parties to share the blame for a car crash.

The state follows a legal policy called comparative negligence. This means that the actions of any and all parties involved are evaluated. Fault is then assigned in varying degrees.

It’s even possible for you to be implicated as a liable party in your own accident. This doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay damages to yourself, but could impact the compensation you receive.

 

Is The At-Fault Driver Always Liable In A Car Accident?

The at-fault driver is typically considered liable — or, legally responsible for paying damages — in a personal injury case. But this isn’t always the case.

Sometimes, others involved in the incident can share the blame, including fellow motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, or motorcyclists.

However, it’s possible for parties not even on the scene to be considered liable.

If mechanical failure played a role in the crash, it could be possible for auto manufacturers to be included in the case.

Dangerous or careless conditions on the road could implicate some government agencies. Generally, this includes situations such as poorly maintained roads, improper signage, or badly designed urban areas.

 

What Are Your Legal Options After An Arizona Car Accident?

Everything may seem bleak in the wake of an auto accident. But that doesn’t mean the situation is beyond help, or hope.

You always have the right to hire an experienced personal injury attorney, who can help you determine the best course of action moving forward.

With or without the help of legal representation, you can file a personal injury claim. This will legally state your case, list your damages, and name the potentially liable party.

Most people who’ve been involved in a motor vehicle crash will take this step.

But if your personal injury claim fails to reach a settlement, you can still take your case to court. At this point, a judge or jury will evaluate the case you’ve built, and determine a verdict.

 

Steps To Take After A Buckeye Car Accident

Regardless of the path you choose to take after your accident, there are some steps that can help the process go as smoothly as possible.

1. Gather Details

When you’re going through something as complicated as a car accident, it’s generally a good idea to hold on to any important documents related to the situation.

Some things you may want to gather include records related to:

  • The accident, such as:
    • Photos of the accident scene
    • Photos of any injuries
    • The police report
  • Medical expenses/treatments, such as:
    • Prescription or over-the-counter receipts
    • Doctor or hospital bills
  • Property damage, including:
  • Other costs, such as:
    • Vehicle rental agreements
    • Mileage to and from doctors appointments

A top personal injury lawyer will be able to further advise you on which specific documents you’ll need.

2. Consult A Car Accident Attorney

If this isn’t the first step you take, it should be the second. An experienced car accident lawyer can make a big difference in ensuring you have the strongest case and best legal strategy possible.

With a free consultation, you can run your case by a law firm to get an idea of their thoughts, their style, and whether you think you could work together well.

3. Negotiate A Settlement Offer

Another advantage of hiring a lawyer: They’ll help your case reach a fair settlement.

Negotiating can be a nasty and difficult process, and a good lawyer will be armed with the experience and tools needed to fight for your compensation.

In the case that an agreement can’t be reached, you still retain the option to bring your case to court.

What Types Of Damages Can You Claim In An Arizona Personal Injury Case?

Unfortunately, sometimes the damage caused by a car crash can never be fully undone. But a fair-minded attorney will try to get you a settlement commensurate with your injuries.

That can include compensation for a wide range of physical, financial, or emotional maladies.

Medical Bills

Some of the easiest-to-calculate damages are medical expenses.

These costs may include money spent on any doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, or treatments needed during or after an accident.

Lost Wages

If the injuries you sustained resulted in missed work, you could be eligible for lost wages.

These damages will cover any salary you may have missed out on while away from work, but they’re also built to consider diminished earning capacity.

That means bonuses, accounts, or promotions you may have lost could also be included.

In the case where you could no longer return to your job or line of work, you could also receive compensation for costs related to changing careers.

Pain And Suffering

While it’s impossible to put a price on pain and suffering, many personal injury claims attempt to legally atone for the devastation you’ve endured due to the accident.

These more subjective costs correlate to the physical and emotional trauma of going through a car wreck. They can cover everything from the mental distress that stems from the situation to any newfound chronic pain, or even a loss of the enjoyment of life.

Wrongful Death

These damages are reserved for the worst-case scenario. While there’s no way to make up for the loss of a loved one, wrongful death damages can at least cover the cost of a funeral or burial.

Money a spouse was helping you to save could also be considered, as well as general compensation for the emotional devastation of losing someone special.

 

What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?

Car accidents are some of the most damaging preventable accidents. They lead to a range of injuries, from minor to life-threatening in severity.

Some, such as whiplash, lacerations and cuts, or broken bones, may be considered more minor.

But it’s of course possible for personal injury to run the gamut, from internal bleeding and organ failure to spinal cord injuries to brain injuries.

 

Arizona Laws That Might Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

Statutes that affect personal injury cases can vary on a state-by-state basis. Sometimes, even specific local laws can play a role in building a case.

One of the biggest advantages of hiring a personal injury law firm serving Buckeye is the knowledge they can bring to the table on these specific laws.

But anywhere within the state of Arizona, there are some issues that will likely come into play.

At-Fault State

In Arizona, residents are subject to “at-fault” policies.

This means that the person or party deemed responsible for causing an accident is also the one responsible for paying for it.

To many, this seems like the fairest option, but there are a number of states that handle things differently. They’re called “no-fault” states.

In these states, residents are required to carry insurance that will cover the costs of any accidents they’re involved in, regardless of who is found at fault.

Comparative Negligence

Arizona may assign fault for an accident to several parties, thanks to the state’s practice of comparative negligence.

Under this principle, any party that may have played a part in causing the accident comes under scrutiny. Each is assigned a certain level of fault, and a corresponding share of the total damages awarded.

Statute Of Limitations

A statute of limitations offers a timeframe for making a claim. If you wait too long to file your case, it may be legally considered too late to take action.

In Arizona, the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim in car accidents is two years.

 

Buckeye, Arizona Car Accident Rates

From Glendale to Avondale to Buckeye, tracking the number of accidents in Arizona towns can be tricky. Different policies dictate where, when, and how those statistics are logged.

In general, Arizona has a fair amount of auto accidents.

The state saw more than 120,000 accidents in 2021 alone. And unfortunately, nearly 1,000 of those were deadly, placing the state among the top 10 deadliest places to drive that year.

 

Reach Out To Contact The Best Buckeye Car Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, motorcycle accident, or car crash, you may feel hopeless. But that evaluation is far from true.

An experienced Buckeye, Arizona car crash attorney can offer legal advice, as well as a source of stability during a difficult time.

With LegalFinders, you can start your search for the best Buckeye car accident lawyer today.

WE’RE OPEN NOW

Our staff are standing by to help you find the perfect attorney for your case.

Image of the lawyer

Published: 14 December 2022

ARTICLE SOURCES

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) — Arizona Crash Facts 2021 

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) —  Fast Facts from ADOT

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) — Fatality Facts 2020

ON THIS PAGE