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Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Peoria

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 Peoria.

Are Car Crashes Common In Peoria, Arizona?

Auto accidents are not reported on a city-by-city basis in Arizona. But Peoria’s large population and proximity to Phoenix, Scottsdale, and a number of winding mountain roads make it a prime location for car crashes.

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

You don’t need to hire a personal injury lawyer to file your claim, but you’ll most likely want to.

The process can be complicated and emotionally draining. Most accident victims choose to trust professionals in these situations, in order to have the smoothest and most successful experience possible.

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

Average settlements vary widely from case to case. Your lawyer will help you determine the amount and types of damages you could seek in your case.

In a highly populated, highly trafficked, and busy area like Peoria, car accidents happen frequently.

But if you or a loved one have sustained property damage or serious injury in an auto accident, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. A Peoria car accident lawyer can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

Front of silver car get damaged by crash accident in Peoria

Auto accidents are fairly common in Arizona, with Peoria being no exception.

But if you’ve experienced one of these unfortunate situations, a top car accident attorney can offer the type of legal advice needed to build the strongest case possible.

Here you can learn more about what to do after a car accident in Peoria, how to file a personal injury claim, what to include on your claim, the laws that may affect your claim, and much more.

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

It may seem obvious who the at-fault party in a car crash is. But the term actually has a much broader legal interpretation.

Any person, party, or institution that played a part in creating the conditions that caused the auto accident can be considered at-fault in Arizona.

But even while the state casts a wide net of culpability, there’s some nuance that also comes with the term.

The intent behind the person’s actions is measured to help determine their level of blame in personal injury cases.

In turn, this will determine the types of damages they’re ultimately responsible for in the case.

 

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

It’s common for the at-fault driver to be considered liable in an accident. But there can be multiple parties considered liable in these cases, under Arizona law.

Other individuals, corporations, and even government agencies can all be held accountable for certain aspects of a car accident in the state.

Other motorists could certainly contribute to the accident scene. Or, in cases of a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, any other people involved in the case could also be found liable.

Sometimes, auto manufacturers are considered at fault, if there were vehicles with poorly designed or malfunctioning equipment involved.

And even government bodies can be held accountable, if roadway conditions were unsafe due to bad designs, confusing or missing signage, or poor maintenance.

Working with a Peoria car accident attorney will help you determine any and all potentially liable parties in your case.

 

What Are Your Legal Options After An Arizona Car Accident?

Car accident victims are entitled to a variety of legal recourse in these cases.

A personal injury claim is the most common step people make after getting involved in an auto accident.

During the claims process, property damage, medical bills, and pain and suffering are all considered, along with financial compensation.

Most of the time, people will hire a law office to handle the claims process for them. An attorney with years of experience can help the process go as smoothly and successfully as possible.

If a fair settlement can’t be reached through, there’s also the option to take your case to court. Usually, this takes the matters out of the hands of the lawyers, and leaves the ultimate verdict regarding damages in the hands of a judge or jury.

A free consultation with a personal injury attorney will help build the type of client relationship needed to assess whether you want this law firm to represent you in this case.

 

Steps To Take After A Peoria Car Accident

Regardless of how you choose to legally handle the matter, there are some steps you can take after a car accident that will give you the most — and best — choices possible.

1. Consult A Car Accident Attorney

Technically, acquiring legal representation for your car accident case is not a requirement. But if there was any property damage or personal injury involved, you may want to consider the idea.

A lawyer from the Peoria area will be familiar with the Arizona court system and particularities of the location that can open up different opportunities for seeking damages or better negotiations.

And in general, the years of experience a good attorney brings to the table will mean you can take a moment to relax a bit, hopefully bringing some sense of peace to a difficult time.

2. Gather Details

Whether or not you choose to hire a lawyer to file your personal injury claim, gathering evidence is very important.

Your attorney will be able to instruct you on which documents are most-needed to build your case. Overall, you might want to take special note of:

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

3. Negotiate A Settlement Offer

Car accident cases are frequently settled out of court, meaning all sides agree on a fair financial compensation. But of course, this outcome isn’t always the case.

4. File A Personal Injury Lawsuit

If the legal teams can’t agree, you’ll be able to take your case to court. At this point, if you haven’t already hired an experienced attorney, it’s highly recommended to do so.

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

Car accidents generate all sorts of costs, be they financial, physical, or emotional in nature.

And while the price of some of these injuries is too high to ever repay, damages awarded in a case are meant to at least monetarily compensate for the experience.

Medical Bills

Any medical treatment or attention you needed due to the crash will be considered, including costs related to:

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

Lost Wages

If your injuries caused you to miss work after the accident, you’ll also be eligible for compensation related to any missed salary, or diminished earning potential connected to accounts, bonuses, or promotions you were passed over for.

If your injuries prevented you from returning to your job altogether, you could seek additional damages to compensate for the cost of being unemployed, or changing careers.

Pain And Suffering

Some of the most costly injuries in an auto accident are often some of the most difficult to put a number on.

But damages for pain and suffering are awarded in the spirit of universal compassion.

This can include any trauma related to:

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

Wrongful Death

These damages are only issued in the most unfortunate cases. They’ll never be able to bring back a loved one, but include compensation for:

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

 

What Are Some Common Car Accident Injuries?

Car accidents are one of the most dangerous and deadly incidents in America, seeing a 16-year high in 2021 with nearly 43,000 roadway fatalities.

They can also cause a number of serious injuries, including:

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

 

Arizona Laws That May Affect Your Personal Injury Claim

The state that a personal injury case is filed in is one of the most impactful factors determining the outcome of the case and the damages that are ultimately rewarded.

An experienced Peoria car accident lawyer will know the specific laws that may affect your claim. But there are a few Arizona state laws that will likely play a role.

Statute Of Limitations

The statute of limitations represents how long you have to file your claim. In Arizona, the limit for filing a personal injury claim related to an auto accident is two years.

At-Fault State

Arizona is an at-fault state. This can impact your case in a number of ways.

In at-fault states, the person or parties responsible for paying the damages are those who are found “at fault” for causing the accident. But in Arizona, that can be any number of people.

Comparative Negligence

That’s because Arizona also follows a law called comparative negligence.

Comparative negligence looks at each party’s comparative fault in the accident, which means you could be assigned some level of fault for your own accident.

This is why it’s important to work with a Peoria car accident lawyer to ensure you are not assigned a greater level of fault than is rightfully yours.

 

What Causes Car Accidents In Peoria, AZ?

Peoria is close to the busy urban areas of Phoenix and Scottsdale. It’s also not far from some major trucking routes found on Route 17 and is home to a number of twisting mountain roads.

All of these reasons can contribute to the number of car crashes that take place in the city every year.

Specific statistics are difficult to calculate. The state of Arizona typically doesn’t break down its annual car accident rates by urban area. But there are a number of common factors that likely also play a role in Peoria’s accident count.

Distracted driving and driving while fatigued are two growing problems in roadway safety, leading to an increasing number of accidents every year.

And, as with anywhere, motorists could exhibit dangerous driving behavior, roadway conditions could be unsafe, or vehicle malfunctions can happen at any time.

 

Peoria, Arizona Car Accident Rates

The state doesn’t issue car accident rates on a city-by-city basis, but it’s likely that Peoria encounters a not infrequent number of car crashes. That’s because in general, Arizona is considered a relatively dangerous place to drive.

In 2021, the state saw nearly 122,000 car crashes, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Of those, more than 900 were fatal.

 

Reach Out To Contact The Best Peoria Car Accident Lawyer

Whether you’re in Peoria, Tucson, Glendale, Sun City, or elsewhere in Arizona, you can access high-quality legal representation after a car accident.

A top Peoria car accident lawyer will help you build the strongest case possible to seek the compensation you deserve. And LegalFinders can help put you on your way.

Schedule a free case evaluation today to be connected with experienced law firms near you.

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Published: 16 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

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — Newly Released Estimates Show Traffic Fatalities Reached a 16-Year High in 2021

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