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With the amount of traffic on Arizona roads, car accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents are not uncommon, and can sadly lead to property damage, personal injury, or worse.
If you or a loved one were injured or suffered property damage in a motor vehicle accident in Chandler, experienced car accident attorneys can help you seek compensation.
Auto accidents can be overwhelming events for victims, resulting in bodily injury, vehicle damage, or even the loss of a loved one.
If you’ve been involved or injured in a car accident, there are a number of top-notch Chandler personal injury lawyers who can help you build a strong case, and argue for a fair settlement.
When determining who is at fault for a car crash, it’s helpful to first understand the legal definition of the term.
In the claims process, “fault” is strictly used to describe the person or parties being held legally responsible for an automobile accident.
And it’s also important to understand that not all “fault” is the same. The level of legal responsibility exists within a spectrum, which ranges from:
Generally, the scale of fault is based on how intentional the actions of the responsible parties were.
But the designation is also useful for personal injury lawyers, who use it to help determine the amount of damages that can be pursued.
Being liable is slightly different than being at fault.
Liability is a broader term, referring to any persons or parties who helped create the conditions that led to the accident. And in an Arizona car accident, that designation can be given to a number of different parties.
Most of the time, negligent drivers, pedestrians, or bicyclists involved in the incident may be found liable.
It’s possible for auto manufacturers to also be involved, especially if malfunctioning equipment played a role in the crash.
Regardless, the persons or parties held liable are also responsible for paying any damages found in the case.
An experienced Chandler car accident attorney will make sure to consider any possible parties who could have played a role in your case.
Immediately taking someone to court isn’t the only legal recourse after an accident. In fact, most car accident victims file personal injury claims first.
The help of an experienced law firm is highly recommended with this strategy. A reputable office will be able to use the claim to negotiate a settlement.
This means you won’t have to go to court at all — and still have your property damage, medical bills, or other related costs taken care of.
If no settlement can be reached, you’ll still have the opportunity to file a lawsuit. In these scenarios, your law office will prepare your car accident case to be decided by a judge or jury.
Many personal injury attorneys will provide some legal advice for your specific case during a free consultation, to help you determine the best course of action.
Regardless of the legal strategy you choose, following certain steps in the wake of your accident will be helpful.
This step is crucial to do as quickly as possible to build the strongest possible car accident claim.
Your car accident lawyer should advise you on which specific information to keep track of, but generally, you should save any documents involving or related to:
Car accident cases can be tricky and emotional affairs, especially if property damage or personal injury is involved.
And while legal representation is not required, it’s highly recommended in these cases.
The best Chandler personal injury lawyers have years of experience on their side, which can help them help you get through the process as smoothly as possible.
After you and your personal injury lawyer have discussed the details of the case and gathered the appropriate evidence, you’re ready to file a claim.
Overall, the process generally involves the official filing of paperwork. But ultimately, the move will notify any involved parties that they have been named in a personal injury claim, and give them a chance to respond.
This is how most people’s car accident cases end.
A majority of these cases are resolved out of court through the negotiation of a financial settlement.
Still, if the parties involved aren’t willing or able to come to an agreement, you can instruct your legal team to bring your claim to court.
Damages cover a wide range of hardships, from financial setbacks to physical or emotional injuries. In all, any costs you’ve incurred from the accident can be considered damages.
One of the most common and easily tabulated damages are medical costs incurred in the accident.
This covers costs related to any medical treatments or attention required in the wake of the accident, including:
If injuries sustained in the crash caused you to miss work, you may be eligible for lost wages.
Any salary you missed will be covered through these damages. But the concept goes further, incorporating any earning capacity you may have missed out on due to your absence, such as:
If you were unable to return to your job or even the same line of work due to your injury, you may also be entitled to additional damages, including costs related to being out of work and changing careers.
Nearly all car accident victims experience some form of pain and suffering as a result of the crash.
This is one of the broadest forms of damages, meant to make up for any number of emotional and physical debts paid through the accident, including:
In the worst-case scenarios, car accident victims can seek damages for wrongful death.
This form of compensation can relate to a number of costs, including:
Despite years of engineering advances that have made our vehicles safer than ever, cars and trucks are big, heavy, and fast.
Vehicles can cause a number of serious injuries in the case of an accident, such as:
The federal government has specific personal injury laws. Still, cases are dictated on a state-by-state basis.
An experienced law firm will help you understand the specific Arizona injury laws that may influence your case.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of personal injury law in Arizona is its designation as an at-fault state.
In these areas, whoever is deemed responsible for causing the accident is ultimately held responsible for paying damages.
The other option for states is to follow a no-fault policy. In these cases, everyone must purchase an insurance policy that covers any injuries or damages that may arise from their own actions.
Yet, thanks to a legal practice called comparative negligence, it’s possible for several parties to be considered at fault for a car crash in Arizona.
The legal doctrine dictates that the actions of every party involved in a crash be taken into account. Ultimately, liability in these cases can be assigned to multiple parties.
It’s even possible for you to be found partially at fault in your own case in a comparative negligence state. Ultimately, this could impact the amount of damages you’re rewarded.
The statute of limitations is the due date you have to file a personal injury claim after the crash. This time period is different in every state, and even different for different types of cases.
In Arizona, car accident victims have two years after the crash to file a claim, according to the state’s statute of limitations.
Car accidents can happen any time, for any number of reasons. But there are still a number of common causes for these cases.
Most of the time, driver error plays a role. Driver fatigue and distracted driving are two of the most common issues facing motorists today, and both can be dangerous behind the wheel.
Still, some drivers act in dangerous ways on purpose. Aggressive behaviors like tailgating, speeding, or even drunk driving make accidents far more likely to happen.
But a motorist isn’t always to blame.
Bad weather can contribute to conditions that create auto accidents. And faulty designs or poor maintenance can make a roadway dangerous even if there’s not a cloud in the sky.
Arizona’s highways are home to some of the most highly trafficked trucking routes in the country. And the state also has its fair share of urban areas and twisty mountain passes.
All told, the combination can be deadly on the road.
The Arizona Department of Transportation counted more than 120,000 car crashes in the state in 2021. And tragically, more than 1,000 of those accidents were fatal, placing Arizona among the deadliest states to drive in.
City-by-city data are harder to come by, but it’s likely that Chandler has its own fair share of these incidents, thanks to the city’s larger population.
Many car accident victims have a number of questions about their legal rights and how to best proceed with their case.
An experienced law firm will have the most specific advice, but these answers can provide general information.
Car accidents are devastating events, but having a top Chandler car accident lawyer on your side can help make the situation easier.
A free case evaluation with an attorney serving Chandler and the surrounding area will help you get started on building the strongest case possible. Contact LegalFinders today for more information.
