Car Accident Injury Attorney in Mesa, AZ

Are you the victim of a serious car accident in Mesa, AZ? You may have the right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. Working with an experienced car accident injury attorney in Mesa, AZ, is important to building a strong claim and supporting your legal rights.

Attorney Brent H. Bryson of Bryson Law Firm, PLC, represents car accident victims across the greater Mesa area. We provide legal guidance and support to help clients make informed decisions throughout their car accident claims and understand their legal options.

Frequent Causes of Car Accidents in Mesa, AZ

Car accidents happen every day in Mesa, ranging from minor to severe. Serious car accidents often result from one of the following:

Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, listening to audiobooks, or otherwise distracted often make mistakes that cause accidents.
Speeding: Driving above the posted speed limit makes it challenging for drivers to stop suddenly and respond to events on the road around them.
Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol: Driving while intoxicated severely impairs a person’s reaction time, focus, and decision-making abilities. Driving while sleep-deprived has similar effects.
Road rage: In busy cities like Mesa, some drivers become aggressive due to traffic delays, leading them to make poor choices on the road.
Unsafe turns or lane changes: Drivers who do not check their blind spots or allow ample space to turn left or change lanes may strike other vehicles and cause serious accidents.
Failure to follow traffic signals: Running red lights and stop lines often causes severe collisions that lead to devastating injuries.

Determining Fault in a Mesa Car Accident

Understanding the cause of your accident is one of the first steps in determining fault. Showing that another driver or party was responsible for your accident can allow you to seek compensation from them to help cover losses related to your injuries.

Your car accident injury attorney in Mesa, AZ, will review the details of your crash and collect evidence to support a favorable fault determination. Multiple parties might be at fault for a car accident, such as:

Another driver whose negligence caused the accident
A pedestrian who violated pedestrian laws
A vehicle manufacturer that installed a faulty part involved in a vehicle malfunction
A repair technician who failed to repair a part in the vehicle
The City of Mesa for failing to repair roadways or neglecting other hazards

The following evidence can help prove fault in your accident:

Photos and videos of the accident scene
Dashcam footage or security footage of the crash
Witness testimonies
Black box data from the vehicles involved
Testimony from accident reconstructionist

Your attorney will explore multiple avenues for collecting evidence to help strengthen your claim.

Arizona’s Comparative Negligence Laws

Under Arizona’s comparative negligence policy, multiple parties can share a percentage of the fault in a car accident case. You can still seek compensation from another party if you are partially at fault. However, your compensation would be reduced by your fault percentage.

For example, if the insurance company assigned you 20% fault for the accident, you would only be eligible to seek 80% of your damages from the other party. This is why it is important to have an experienced attorney help you establish accident liability through compelling evidence. Minimizing your fault percentage with the right evidence may improve the compensation you are eligible to receive.

Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Lawsuits in Arizona

Arizona generally follows a two-year statute of limitations for car accident lawsuits. This means you would have two years from the day of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, however. For example, if the accident involved wrongful death, the statute of limitations would be two years from the date of death rather than the accident date. If you reasonably did not discover the injury until some time after the accident, the statute of limitations might not start until the day of discovery.

Your personal injury lawyer can help you understand and adhere to any relevant deadlines in your case.

Estimating the Value of Your Car Accident Case

Your car accident injury attorney in Mesa, AZ, can help you understand what types of compensation may be available. You might be eligible to seek economic and non-economic damages, depending on the details of the accident.

Economic damages cover the monetary costs arising directly from the accident, including:

Medical expenses
Lost income
Loss of future earning capacity
Property damage

Meanwhile, non-economic damages cover the emotional and physical costs of the accident that do not have a direct monetary value. These might include:

Pain and suffering
Loss of quality of life
Emotional distress
Mental anguish

In limited circumstances, car accident victims might be eligible for punitive damages, which seek to punish the at-fault party for egregious or reckless behavior. These damages sometimes arise in accidents involving driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

What To Do After a Car Accident in Mesa

The steps you take after a car accident can significantly impact your case. Follow these steps to support your case:

Seek medical attention: Seeking medical treatment as soon as possible after the accident can give you documentation that directly ties your injuries to the crash. This documentation will be helpful for your insurance claim or lawsuit.
Collect evidence at the scene: If you are safely able to do so, take photos and videos of the accident scene and write down the contact information for any witnesses. Crucial evidence becomes lost once you leave the accident scene, but these measures can help you preserve it.
Request a police report: A police officer will likely create a report detailing their interpretation of the events leading up to the accident and its consequences. Request a copy of this report and review it to find any potential inaccuracies.
Contact an attorney: Speak with an experienced car accident attorney to determine your next steps. They can provide legal guidance and help you understand your options.

If you are looking for a car accident injury attorney in Mesa, AZ, Brent H. Bryson of Bryson Law Firm, PLC, has over 20 years of legal experience and has assisted countless clients in navigating these cases.

How Can a Mesa, AZ, Attorney Assist You?

If you experienced severe injuries in your car accident, you are having difficulty with the insurance claim, or you disagree with the fault determination, having an experienced car accident injury attorney in Mesa, AZ, on your side can be incredibly helpful.

Your attorney can assist you with a wide range of tasks while you focus on recovering from injuries. They can:

Communicate with the at-fault driver, their insurance company, and all other relevant parties
Complete and file all paperwork with the insurance company and the court
Collect evidence to support your accident claim or lawsuit
Help you understand Arizona’s personal injury laws and how they apply to your case
Represent you in insurance company negotiations to seek a fair payout
Represent you in court if your case proceeds to trial

Seek Legal Assistance From Bryson Law Firm, PLC

Having an experienced attorney on your side can provide knowledgeable support throughout the claims process. Brent H. Bryson at Bryson Law Firm, PLC, has helped numerous Mesa, AZ, accident victims understand their rights and legal options. He has assisted with many types of car accident cases, including truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, and fatal accidents that gave rise to wrongful death claims.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should you call a lawyer or insurance first after a car accident?

If you were seriously injured, it may be beneficial to speak with a lawyer before giving a recorded statement to an insurance adjuster. Your attorney can help you communicate with the insurance adjuster effectively and protect your rights. Forgoing a lawyer might lead you to compromise your case.

Do insurance companies typically settle before court?

Yes, insurance companies often settle before court. This means your personal injury lawsuit likely will not proceed to trial. Your attorney can negotiate with the insurance company for a fair settlement offer.

Do lawyers take cases they know they’ll lose?

Lawyers typically assess the strength of a case before accepting it. When an attorney agrees to represent your car accident case, this indicates that they believe you have a strong chance of achieving a fair outcome.

How is pain and suffering calculated in AZ?

Attorneys sometimes use methods such as the “multiplier method” to estimate pain and suffering and other non-economic damages in a car accident case. This involves multiplying the value of economic damages by a figure between 1.5 and 5, depending on the severity of the accident. Your car accident injury attorney in Mesa, AZ, can help you estimate the potential value of your case.

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Were you recently involved in a car crash in Arizona? If so, you probably have some questions. We hope you’ll find the answers you need in the following list of FAQs.

Who determines fault in a car accident?

When a car accident occurs in Arizona, one of the following parties usually determines fault:

The police
The insurance company
The court

When a crash is reported to law enforcement, officers often determine fault in their police report. However, their assertion does not necessarily mean the individual is liable for damages. When one party makes an insurance claim, adjusters will investigate the collision. They typically determine fault based on the legal definition of negligence in the state of Arizona.

If either party files a lawsuit after the accident, a court will determine fault. The court may review the evidence and consider arguments from both attorneys. The court’s decision supersedes any prior fault determinations made by the insurance company or the police.

When should I get a car accident attorney?

It is generally wise to hire a lawyer when you are involved in a car accident:

That results in an injury to you or another party
That causes significant property damage
In which fault is not clearly established
In which you disagree with the police report
That involves an uninsured or underinsured driver
That involves a pedestrian or cyclist, or;
That occurs in a school zone or construction zone

If you are unsure whether you need to hire an attorney, please do not hesitate to contact our law office. We will be happy to assess your case and let you know if you need legal assistance.

Do I need a car accident attorney if I am not at fault?

You do not have a legal obligation to hire a lawyer if you were involved in a car crash that wasn’t your fault. However, enlisting the services of a skilled attorney is the best way to ensure you can get the compensation you deserve after your accident.

Your lawyer can help you with your fight for compensation by:

Organizing your medical records and bills
Communicating with insurance companies on your behalf
Searching for evidence to support your claim, and;
Negotiating a fair settlement on your behalf

By taking these tasks off your plate, your lawyer will allow you to focus on your recovery instead of your case.

How long do I have to report a car accident in Arizona?

Individuals who get into car crashes in Arizona do not have an automatic obligation to report the incident to the state. However, if you leave the scene of an auto accident that results in an injury, death, or significant amount of property damage without contacting the police, you may face hit and run charges. As such, it is generally wise to report the crash to law enforcement as soon as possible.

Many auto insurers in Arizona also require you to report crashes within 24 hours. Should you fail to do so, they may try to deny your claim.

What is the Arizona statute of limitations for car accidents?

Civil notification deadlines and statutes of limitation may apply to your case. If you miss these deadlines, then you no longer possess the right to file a claim. Arizona generally offers you up to two (2) years from the date of your injury to file a claim. However, civil notification deadlines are much shorter than the statute of limitations. Speak with a top-rated Arizona car crash lawyer at Bryson Law Firm to ensure that you are not jeopardizing your case’s deadlines.

What damages can I claim after a car accident?

If you are injured in a car accident in Arizona, you might be able to recover compensation for:

Your initial medical expenses
The cost of your rehabilitation or physical therapy
Your lost wages
The cost to repair or replace your vehicle
Your loss of future earning capacity
Your pain and suffering
Your mental anguish

If the court rules that the at-fault party acted with an “evil mind,” you may also be able to recover punitive damages.

If you would like to have a skilled car accident attorney review your case and let you know which damages you may be eligible to receive, please contact the Bryson Law Firm, today.

What are the most common types of car accidents?

In 2020, there were 98,778 reported auto accidents in the state of Arizona. The majority of these crashes fell into one of the following categories:

Side-impact collisions
Rear-end collisions
Head-on collisions
Pedestrian collisions
Cyclist collisions
Single-car collisions
Low-speed collisions

These accidents are typically caused by one or more of the following factors:

Drunk driving
Distracted driving
Inclement weather
Speeding
Improper turning
Poor vehicle maintenance

If you recently suffered an injury in any of these types of auto accidents, please contact Bryson Law as soon as possible. We may be able to help you recover compensation.

Should I report a minor car accident?

You do not have an automatic legal obligation to report a minor car accident in Arizona. Should you wish to leave the scene of a small fender bender without involving the state, you are free to do so. However, it is generally inadvisable to take this approach. If you believe you might need to file a claim with your insurance company or take legal action against the other motorist, you would be wise to report the accident to law enforcement as soon as possible.

Reporting the crash will ensure there is a permanent record that you can refer to in your lawsuit or insurance claim. Without this record, you may not receive the compensation you deserve.

What should I do immediately after a car accident?

It is generally wise to take the following steps in the immediate aftermath of an auto accident in Arizona:

Check for Injuries: If you or any other party requires immediate medical attention, call an ambulance as quickly as possible.
Contact Law Enforcement: The police will investigate the crash, take statements, and compile a report.
Exchange Information: Ask the other party for their name, address, and insurance info.
Gather Evidence: Take pictures and videos of the accident scene. You may need to use them as evidence in court at a later date.
Contact Your Insurer: Report the crash to your car insurance company as soon as you can. Tell them where and when the collision happened. Do not answer any unnecessary questions.

Once you have worked through these steps, contact an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible. They will help you understand what happens next.

What happens after I report a car accident to the police?

Once you report your car accident to the police, they will generally come to the scene to write a collision report. This report contains key information about your crash, such as:

The location, date, and time of the accident
The name, address, and contact info for all involved parties
The contact information for any witnesses to the collision
A description of the accident
Whether the officer issued any tickets or citations

You may use this police report as evidence to support a lawsuit or insurance claim.

What should I look for in a car accident attorney?

When you need help fighting for compensation after a car crash, you should look for an attorney that has:

Excellent Communication Skills: You will need to talk to them regularly for months or even years.
Years of Experience: Attorneys that have been helping auto accident victims for years generally achieve better results than those who are new to the industry.
Outstanding Negotiation Skills: The amount of money you receive from the insurance company will heavily depend on your lawyer’s negotiation skills.
Plenty of References: A good lawyer will be able to provide you with a list of references you can call to learn more about their legal skills.

An Arizona Personal Injury Attorney Who Will Advocate For You

Fortunately, you don’t have to look far to find the right attorney for your situation. Bryson Law has helped countless car accident victims recover the compensation they deserve. Contact us today to learn more about how our law firm can help you after a car accident. Schedule a consultation by calling Bryson Law Firm at 480-813-0444 or message us via the contact form below.