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Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Mesa

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 Mesa.

Are Car Crashes Common In Mesa, Arizona?

Car crashes are common across the nation, but Arizona has some specific qualities that make it a dangerous place to drive, including the highly frequented trucking routes across the state.

In 2021 alone, Arizona saw more than 120,000 car accidents. Mesa is one of the state’s largest cities, so a number of these accidents occurred in the city.

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

The technical answer to this question is no. But legal representation is highly encouraged in these complicated and emotionally charged scenarios.

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

Average settlements depend on the specific details of the case. But an experienced legal team can help you determine the damages you’re owed in a case.

If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident or truck accident, you know they can cause property damage and serious injuries. But if you live in the Mesa, AZ area, there are a number of experienced car accident attorneys who can help you seek maximum compensation for your experience.

A senior male driver calling for help after a car accident

Arizonans drive more than 179.7 million miles on the state’s roadways every day, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT).

Still, it’s hard to log so much time on the road without making mistakes. Accidents happen, and unfortunately, they can leave behind devastating effects.

But an auto accident doesn’t have to be deadly to cause serious damage, or a major disruption to your life.

If you or a loved one have been involved or injured in a car accident, there are a number of top Mesa car accident attorneys that can offer you the legal advice and guidance you need to get the compensation you deserve.

 

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

Assigning fault in car crash cases may be trickier than it appears on the surface. Even when it seems obvious who the at-fault party is, there are certain legal considerations to keep in mind.

In a personal injury case, “fault” can be issued in varying degrees, including:

  • Negligence: When someone fails to take proper care in a situation
  • Wanton or reckless behavior: When someone exhibits irresponsible behavior
  • Intentional misconduct: When someone purposely partakes in behavior that’s dangerously irresponsible

Car accidents are generally complicated matters, with a number of different people or parties potentially responsible for creating the conditions that led up to the crash.

These varying levels of fault mean a personal injury lawyer can designate several parties whose actions may be at play. And the severity of the classification can help determine the amount of damages that can be pursued.

 

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

If someone is considered at fault for an Arizona auto accident, they can be considered a liable party. And liable parties – whether they be individuals, corporations, or other agencies – are the ones responsible for paying damages.

Most typically, fellow motorists will shoulder the blame for causing an accident, but pedestrians or bicyclists who were involved may be found liable, too.

Auto manufacturers are also frequently brought into these cases, especially if malfunctioning or poorly designed equipment helped create the conditions that led to the crash.

And in cases where poorly maintained roads contributed to the situation, even government bodies could be held liable. These parties are also sometimes called to task if a poorly designed road, such as one with sharp turns, bad signage, or poor lighting, was in play.

An experienced Mesa auto accident attorney will help you determine any parties who may be liable in your case.

 

What Are Your Legal Options After An Arizona Car Accident?

The phrase “car accident victim” is a bit misleading. Even if you’ve been involved in one of these unfortunate situations, you’re not helpless. There are several legal options you can pursue.

Filing a personal injury claim is perhaps the most common course of action, and one that can be greatly helped by enlisting the help of an experienced law office.

Through the claims process, you’ll be able to tally any costs related to property damage, medical bills, or other pain and suffering caused by the accident to negotiate a settlement.

But even if the amount of compensation can’t be agreed upon, you’ll have further options, including filing a lawsuit against any liable parties.

A free consultation with a personal injury attorney will help provide the legal advice you need to determine your best course of action.

 

Steps To Take After A Mesa Car Accident

Regardless of which course of action you choose to take after an accident, there are a number of steps that will be helpful to take, to build as strong a case as possible.

1. Gather Details

If you choose to file a personal injury claim, gathering evidence is a crucial first step.

This can include any number of documents, which may be difficult to track down, including:

  • The police report
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Photos of any personal injuries
  • Insurance claims filed in relation to the crash
  • Communications with insurance companies
  • Damage estimates related to your vehicle
  • Bills related to vehicle repairs
  • Bills related to alternative forms of transportation
  • Medical records detailing injuries or doctor’s visits
  • Bills related to any medical expenses or medications
  • Dates of any doctor’s appointments

An experienced car accident lawyer will be able to advise you about which specific paperwork would be the most helpful in your case.

2. Consult A Car Accident Attorney

Car accident cases can be big or small, but if there was any property damage or personal injury involved, it’s highly advisable to hire legal representation.

Besides helping you build a strong case and seek the compensation you deserve, a seasoned attorney can be an asset during such an emotionally taxing situation.

A good lawyer will help ensure the case proceeds as smoothly as possible, no matter how complicated.

3. Negotiate A Settlement Offer

This step is more of a task for your attorney, but it’s the last part of a majority of car accident cases.

When all parties involved have experienced lawyers, it’s not uncommon for reasonable damages to be offered, and cases to be settled out of court.

Still, this isn’t always the case. If an agreement can’t be reached between the legal teams on either side, you can still bring your claim to court, where verdicts are returned by a judge or a jury.

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

Costs incurred in an auto accident often affect more than finances. That’s why personal injury cases often include damages for everything from physical difficulties to emotional distress.

Medical Bills

Medical damages can cover a wide range of medical costs, which can be related to any treatments or attention required in the wake of the crash, including:

  • Doctor visits
  • Medical devices
  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications
  • Surgery and hospitalization costs
  • Ambulance rides
  • Therapy or rehabilitation bills
  • Rides to and from the hospital
  • Costs for at-home medical care

Lost Wages

If you were forced to miss work in the wake of an auto accident, you could be eligible for damages connected to lost wages.

These payments cover the salary you missed out on while away from work, and compensate for any diminished earning capacity related to your absence, including lost bonuses, promotions, or reassigned accounts.

In cases where serious injuries left you unable to return to your job or the same line of work, you may also be entitled to additional damages that cover the costs of changing careers.

Pain And Suffering

Many personal injury lawyers attempt to take into account any costs that could help compensate for emotional and physical stress, including:

  • Physical pain
  • Emotional distress
  • Disfigurement
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Loss of the companionship of a spouse or partner

Wrongful Death

If you’ve suffered fatalities as a result of a crash, you may be entitled to compensation related to:

  • Loss of financial support
  • Loss of emotional support
  • Loss of income or capacity to save money
  • Funeral or burial expenses

 

What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?

Despite their use in our everyday lives, automobiles can be incredibly dangerous machines in the wrong hands, or in the case of an accident. Heavy and fast, they can lead to any number of serious injuries, including:

  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Broken bones
  • Disfigurement
  • Dismemberment
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ damage
  • Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
  • Traumatic brain injury and other head injuries

 

Arizona Laws That Might Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

While there are some federal guidelines when it comes to car accident laws, every state also has its own set of rules for dealing with personal injury claims.

You should ask your Mesa car accident lawyer how these Arizona injury laws could potentially impact your case.

At-Fault State

Generally, states adopt either “no-fault” or “at-fault” laws.

In “no-fault,” situations, insurance policies cover damages for their policyholders, regardless of who is legally found to blame for a crash.

Arizona is an at-fault state. This means that the person or parties deemed responsible for causing the car accident are ultimately held responsible for paying damages.

Comparative Negligence

Arizona is also a state that follows a legal principle called comparative negligence. In these scenarios, the liability of every party involved in an accident is under consideration.

Ultimately, liability may be assigned to any number of parties in comparative negligence states. And each party will be assigned a certain share of the total damages involved.

Statute Of Limitations

A statute of limitations is the time period you have after a crash to file a personal injury claim related to that incident.

Statute of limitations vary by state and by situation, but in Arizona, the statute of limitations for car accidents is two years.

 

What Causes Car Accidents In Mesa, AZ?

In areas like Mesa, Gilbert, and Chandler, car accidents happen all the time, for a number of reasons.

Driver error is perhaps the most frequent cause of auto accidents. Driving while fatigued and distracted driving are very common issues on the road, and can frequently lead to crashes big and small.

Sometimes, mistakes are caused more by acts of aggression than carelessness on the road. A drunk driver is far more likely to be involved in an accident than a careful, sober one. And even less antagonistic actions like speeding or tailgating can have devastating effects.

But even with all the room for human error, an accident is not always a motorist’s fault.

Bad brakes, blown tires, or other types of mechanical malfunction can just as easily lead to accident or injury on the road.

And bad weather can also create dangerous road conditions, especially in areas with poor roadway maintenance or design.

 

Mesa, Arizona Car Accident Rates

While the wide-open landscape of Arizona may make it a beautiful place to drive, its high-speed highways, crowded urban areas, and highly trafficked trucking routes can make it a dangerous place to hit the road.

There were at least 121,345 car crashes across the state in 2021 alone, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), thanks in no small part to these infrastructural difficulties. And nearly 1,000 of those incidents involved fatalities.

 

Reach Out To Contact The Best Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

If you, a family member, or loved one have been impacted by a motor vehicle accident, you don’t have to suffer alone.

LegalFinders can help put you in touch with a top Mesa personal injury lawyer, who can provide the legal services and advice you need to get the compensation you deserve.

Schedule a free case evaluation today to have a Mesa area attorney examine your case.

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Published: 4 November 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

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