Arizona
(602) 900-9402Helping Auto Accident Victims Across Arizona
Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers represent clients that have been injured in a variety of auto accidents, including car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, boating accidents, bus accidents, plane crashes, and more. Oftentimes, an auto wreck can be life-altering. The Arizona auto accident lawyers at Ramos Law ensure accident victims and their families are protected.
Even though the driver that hit you is at fault, their insurance company will try everything in their playbook to trick you out of what you are owed. The worst thing you can do after an accident is to trust the insurance company representing the other driver. It is important that you speak with knowledgeable personal injury attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona, like Ramos Law, before signing any documents for the insurance company.
What to Do After a Car Accident
Your actions in the moments right after a car accident can crucially affect your case’s outcome. No matter what, even if you weren’t at fault, do not leave the scene of the accident. Leaving the scene of a crash before police or medical personnel arrive can leave room for the other party to attempt to blame responsibility for the accident on you. Gather as much evidence as possible using your phone, tablet, or camera – get photos of other vehicles involved, damage done to your vehicle, license plates, road debris from the accident (including tire tread marks, broken parts from your vehicle, etc), and anything else that you think might help your car accident lawyer when investigating and building your case.
Other steps you need to take right after an accident include:
Swap Information
Make sure to gather the other driver’s license number, insurance information, license plate number, address, and phone number.
File a Police Report
Provide a detailed statement to the police.
Contact an Arizona Car Accident Attorney
Do not talk to any insurance agent’s until you’ve had the chance to discuss the situation with an attorney; the other party’s insurance company could try to get an incriminating statement from you, even if you were not the person responsible for the accident.
Call Your Insurance Company
Inform your insurance company about the accident, and make sure to disclose any injuries or damages that you incurred as a result of the crash.
Types of Auto Accidents
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, in 2018, there were 146 people injured in auto accidents every day. Some of the most common types of cases that Ramos Law Firm handles are personal injury claims from traffic accidents including cars, motorcycles, trucks, bicycles, and even pedestrians.DUI Accidents
Even with laws set in place, alcohol-related auto accidents are still a major cause of injury and fatality in the United States. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, there were 4,651 car crashes involving alcohol in 2018. Almost a fourth of total auto accident fatalities were alcohol-related. Those involved in a DUI crash often experience life-changing traumas including emotional problems and unbearable personal injury. A DUI victim’s injuries can vary from small scrapes to total paralysis or even death. The experienced auto accident lawyers at Ramos Law have observed first hand the tragedy a drunk driving accident has on a personal injury victim and their family — and we are dedicated to ensuring the responsible party is held accountable.Distracted Driving
While texting and driving accidents are the most common, much more is included in distracted driving. Any activity a driver is performing while driving that takes their attention away from the road is considered distracted driving. In this day and age, many people are constantly multi-tasking, but when one is driving, they owe it to themselves, their passengers, and the other drivers around them to give their full attention to the road.Head-On Collisions
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, head-on crashes are some of the most dangerous and fatal of all auto accidents. Victims of these types of accidents can experience very serious traumas that often result in permanent disability or fatality. If you or someone you know has been injured in a head-on crash, let the skilled personal injury attorneys at Ramos Law help.Reckless & Aggressive Driving
When a driver knows that their unsafe conduct is dangerous but engages in it anyway, that is considered reckless driving. A driver may be found reckless if they caused an auto accident while driving in an intimidating or harassing manner due to “road rage.” Aggressive driving could even result in criminal charges. Road rage behavior includes:- Sudden acceleration, braking, and close tailgating
- Improper or excessive lane changing
- Failing to signal intent
- Improper passing
- Chasing other drivers
- Verbal threats and abuse
- Assaulting other drivers or their passengers
- Excessively sounding the horn or flashing lights
Asleep at the Wheel
Drowsy drivers account for almost 4% of fatal accidents across the United States. Hundreds of people are seriously injured each year by motorists who have fallen asleep at the wheel. Sleepiness can result in motor vehicle crashes at any time of the day or night, but the three factors most commonly associated with drowsy-driving crashes are that they:- Occur most frequently between midnight and 6 a.m., or in the late afternoon — at these times, people experience dips in their circadian rhythm (the body’s internal clock that regulates sleep)
- Often involve a single driver (and no passengers) running off the road at a high rate of speed with no evidence of braking
- Frequently occur on rural roads and highways
Common Car Accident Injuries
Car accidents, no matter the severity, can cause serious injuries that prevent victims from working or performing everyday activities such as feeding themselves or walking. The most common injuries that our Phoenix car accident attorneys encounter when handling clients’ car accident claims include:
- Whiplash
- Disfigurement
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI)
- Back Injuries
- Neck/Spine Injuries
- Burn Injuries
- Broken bones & Fractures
- Internal Injuries
Phoenix Car Accident Statistics
Regardless of the severity, car crashes can significantly impact various areas of a person’s life. Lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering, disability, and other damages can be financially, mentally, and emotionally challenging to deal with. According to a 2019 car accident report from the Arizona Department of Transportation, the most common causes of car accidents in Arizona include:
- Speeding too fast for the conditions
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Driving under the influence
- Bad weather conditions, such as wet or icy roads
- Eating or drinking while behind the wheel
- Using electronic devices while driving
For the past decade, there have been more than 500 annual traffic fatalities in Arizona, with 1,010 fatalities in 2018 and 911 in 2019. The most common crash types include truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rear-end collisions, and left-turn accidents.
Car Accident FAQs
Under Arizona law, the person responsible in a car accident is financially liable for any damages caused as a result of the accident. Arizona car accident laws include a statute of limitations that victims have to file a car accident lawsuit against the responsible party. The statute of limitations in Arizona is two years from the date of the accident that caused the victim’s injuries. Arizona’s wrongful death statute for filing a wrongful death lawsuit against the person responsible for a victim’s death in a car accident is two years from the date of the deceased person’s death.
Under Arizona law, if a person is at-fault in an accident, they are legally responsible for any damages incurred as a result of the crash. Using Arizona’s comparative negligence laws, injured parties are eligible to recover compensation, even if they are 99% at-fault. The recoverable damages will be reduced by the percentage of fault that the person had in the accident.
Car accidents can be life-changing. Our attorneys understand the emotional, physical, mental, and financial effects that are involved in the aftermath of an accident and can help you get fair and just compensation for your harm and losses. Our attorneys will handle every aspect of your claim, from talking to the insurance company to negotiating the maximum amount of compensation for your claim. Contact Ramos Law today for a free consultation.
Under Arizona law, those injured in an accident can recover compensation for injuries and losses caused as a result of the at-fault driver’s negligence. You deserve a fair settlement that includes compensation for all of your losses incurred in a crash, both economic and non-economic. An experienced, client-focused personal injury attorney can investigate your situation and determine the potential value of your claim.
Most cases can recover the following bodily injury damages:
- Economic Damages – past and future medical expenses, lost wages, and other out-of-pocket costs associated with the accident
- Non-Economic Damages – pain and suffering, loss of companionship, loss of enjoyment of life, and other intangible losses
A police report is not required to file an insurance claim after a car accident in Arizona, but it can be beneficial when proving the other party’s fault in the accident. Police reports provide an unbiased account of what happened in the accident, who the police believe is responsible, and include evidence from the scene of the crash, including photos of the vehicles, statements from all parties involved, witness accounts, and more. Filing a car accident claim without a police report could allow the insurance company to question the validity of your claim, and try to deny you compensation.
Arizona requires every motor vehicle operator to carry liability insurance for their vehicle in the event of an accident ($25,000/person, $50,000/accident for bodily injury, $15,000 in property damage for each accident). Unfortunately, many drivers are underinsured or uninsured, whether due to a lapse in coverage or many other reasons. If you have been involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured driver, you may be eligible to file a claim against your personal insurance policy. Arizona requires all insurance providers to offer uninsured/underinsured motorists coverage at the time of policy purchase. If your insurance company has attempted to deny your uninsured motorists claim, a Phoenix car accident attorney can help recover compensation.
If you suffered injuries in an accident that was caused by another driver and would like to file a claim for your injuries, the following elements need to be present in your case:
- Clear evidence of the other party’s negligence.
- Proof of the damages you suffered in the crash.
- Medical documentation of your injuries incurred in the crash.
- Proof that your injuries were caused as a result of the accident.
After a car accident, it is important to avoid speaking with insurance agents until you have had the chance to discuss your situation with an attorney. Often, insurance companies will attempt to record an incriminating statement immediately after the accident when you are at your most vulnerable and try to convince you to accept a lower settlement.
- Speeding too fast for the conditions
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Driving under the influence
- Bad weather conditions, such as wet or icy roads
- Eating or drinking while behind the wheel
- Using electronic devices while driving
For the past decade, there have been more than 500 annual traffic fatalities in Arizona, with 1,010 fatalities in 2018 and 911 in 2019. The most common crash types include truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, rear-end collisions, and left-turn accidents.
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Bridging Law & Medicine
What makes Ramos Law different is what guides us. Dr. Ramos built this law firm with one goal in mind — to take good care of people. He combines his knowledge of law and medicine with a first-class approach to service to make sure you and your family get the best possible medical care and that the insurance companies pay what’s fair.
We believe we have a proven reputation for honesty, hard work, and fairness. We are proud to have a long list of happy clients that know we did all that we could to help them and their families. We truly are a law firm that cares about people just like a doctor cares for his patient. Taking good care of people isn’t just a slogan, it’s simply in our DNA.
We hope you stay safe, but if something happens and you need help, we look forward to taking care of you and your family. We don’t charge to talk to us and we offer a detailed consultation with an experienced attorney.
Serving all parts of Arizona
- Ahwatukee
- Alhambra
- Chandler
- Dobson Ranch
- Estrella Village
- Fountain Hills
- Gainey Ranch
- Gateway Pavilions
- Glendale
- Goodyear
- Guadalupe
- Laveen Village
- Maryvale Village
- McCormick Ranch
- Mesa
- North Mountain Village
- Peoria
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