Every day, innocent people are harmed by someone else’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. The victim may be left with painful injuries, medical costs, and wage losses. These kinds of accidents lead to lawsuits, which are intended to hold the negligent parties responsible.
However, recovering compensation is not always simple. You may need to seek the help of a Phoenix personal injury lawyer to protect your interests and ensure that you are treated fairly under the law. The Arizona personal injury attorneys of Zinda Law Group are available 24/7 and dedicated to helping those who have suffered due to the negligence of another.
About Personal Injury Law in Phoenix, AZ
There are many types of accidents that may fall under the umbrella of personal injury law. A person may be hurt in a car accident, bitten by someone’s dog, or injured in various scenarios. Tort law is meant to help you seek compensation if you suffer a loss because of someone else’s actions or failure to act in certain situations.
This allows an injured person to file a civil lawsuit in court. You could get a legal remedy for any losses stemming from another’s intentional or negligent conduct. A personal injury lawyer in Phoenix, AZ can help you understand your legal options, identify the negligent parties, and work to hold them accountable for your losses.
What Kinds of Accidents In Phoenix Do We Handle?
The following categories of accidents account for a significant portion of the claims we handle:
- Premises liability
- Truck accidents
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Dog bites
- Shooting accidents
- Rideshare accidents
- Workplace accidents
- Pedestrian accidents
- Bus accidents
- Slip & fall accidents
- Ski accidents
- Bicycle accidents
- Wrongful death
In many of these instances, personal injury victims find that they are dealing with multiple insurance companies, several defendants, and teams of corporate lawyers. The personal injury claims process can escalate and become extremely complicated. Even when dealing with only one insurance company, it can be difficult to get them to pay out the financial compensation you are rightfully owed.
Common Injuries in Phoenix Accident Claims
Injuries can vary in permanency, severity, and longevity, with some requiring long-term treatment while others may heal on their own within a few weeks. When deciding whether to bring a lawsuit against an at-fault party, you should consider the specifics of your condition. Important factors are how much work you will miss, how much pain is involved, and how long it will take to recover. Some of the most common physical injuries we claim in Phoenix include the following:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Internal bleeding
- Internal injuries
- Broken bones
- Head injuries
A personal injury attorney in Phoenix, AZ can consult with medical professionals and healthcare planners to understand the impact your medical condition may have on your future and determine a comprehensive cost. This will help to ensure that the damages you seek will cover the entirety of your losses.
The severity of your injuries is a major factor in determining the compensation you may collect, so it is important to clearly understand your situation.
Calculating Compensation
When damages are caused by another person’s negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct, the accident victim may be able to recover from the responsible party. Prior to stepping into a courtroom, though, you should consult with a Phoenix personal injury lawyer. If you are pursuing a claim, you may be able to recover compensatory damages for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Property damage
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional trauma
While the aforementioned list is not exhaustive, it may provide a good roadmap for calculating your damages for the court. The aftermath of an accident can cause significant emotional distress, and medical treatment can be expensive, especially for those without proper insurance plans and coverage. These claims can include demands for economic, non-economic, and punitive damages, according to the Arizona Bar Association.
What Should I Do Following an Injury in Phoenix?
Immediately following any type of accident, you will likely be confused, traumatized, and unsure of what to do next. The most important thing is to remain calm. Then, take these steps to protect your right to financial compensation.
Report the Accident
Always start by reporting the accident to law enforcement officials. No matter how minor the accident may seem to be, a police report will be an invaluable asset to your case. When police respond to the accident scene, they do so as experts in their field and may be called on to testify in your personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party.
For instance, if you were injured in a car crash, police can start collecting powerful evidence like dash cam footage or video of the accident from traffic cams. If the at-fault party tried to dissuade you from calling the police, remain firm in your decision. Chances are, the person who caused your injuries may be uninsured, have a warrant out for their arrest, or worse.
Collect Evidence at the Accident Scene
The police may not arrive for a few minutes or even hours, depending on the type of accident you were involved in. While you wait for investigators to arrive, collect as much evidence as possible. Now is a great opportunity to take photos of the damage to your property and your injuries.
You can also connect with witnesses at the accident scene. Witness testimony during your personal injury lawsuit could help meet the burden of proof based on a preponderance of the evidence, which is necessary to obtain a verdict in your favor. When you speak with witnesses, ask them for their names and contact information so we can reach out during our investigation.
Get Medical Care
The fallout from your injuries may make it impossible for you to do anything but hang tight while you wait for emergency responders and law enforcement officials to arrive. However, no matter how serious your injuries may seem, medical care should be one of your top priorities after the accident.
If you do not get the medical treatment you need after suffering an invisible injury, your condition could worsen dramatically and leave you with far more severe injuries than expected.
There is also the matter of medical records. Few pieces of evidence are as critical as medical records when proving the significance of your injuries. Without them, the defense has a chance to argue that your injuries are not as catastrophic as you have claimed.
Contact a Reputable Personal Injury Lawyer in Phoenix
During this distressing time in your life, the claims process and aftermath of your accident can seem overwhelming. Fortunately, when you have a personal injury lawyer from Zinda Law Group on your side, you can get the legal support you need when you need it most. Imagine being able to focus on healing while our team builds the strongest case possible against the person or party who turned your world upside down.
Several Factors Could Impact Your Phoenix Personal Injury Claim
Preparing for the claims process is half the battle. Once you have a firm understanding of how civil lawsuits unfold and which laws could have the greatest impact on the outcome of your case, you can prepare accordingly. Here are some of the most common factors you need to know:
Time to File Your Claim Is Limited
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to file your personal injury lawsuit. Under ARS §12-542, the statute of limitations is set to expire exactly two years from the date of the accident. However, the law also recognizes that every case is different.
There may be circumstances that pause the countdown to the expiration date. Minor children being injured and delayed diagnoses are a few examples. However, your lawsuit must be filed before time runs out based on the individual details of your case. Otherwise, you could be barred from pursuing your lawsuit any further.
Insurance Settlements Are Often Lacking
It is common for injury victims to believe they can recover fair compensation by simply filing a claim with the insurance company. However, we never recommend putting your eggs all in one basket, so to speak. Insurance settlements are often lacking and leave much to be desired.
Remember, the insurance company loses money if it pays out on your claim. Insurance adjusters may be incentivized to deny or delay claim processing and reduce settlements. When the insurance settlement is not enough to cover your losses, preparing to go to trial is often the best way to ensure the liable party is brought to justice.
Pure Comparative Negligence Laws
If the liable party blames you for the accident, Arizona’s pure comparative negligence laws could have a significant impact on your case. The state follows a pure comparative negligence system under ARS §12-2505. Sharing blame will reduce your settlement.
The exact amount that will be taken out of your award will be based on your assigned percentage of liability. For example, if you were 25% at fault, your award would only be worth 75% of its original value. We will do everything possible to ensure there is no question of fault in your case and protect your final payout.
Phoenix Personal Injury FAQ
How do Personal Injury Lawsuits Work?
After being involved in an accident or suffering an injury caused by the negligent actions of another, you have the right to take legal action. Filing a personal injury lawsuit involves working with a legal advocate to demand fair compensation. Here is a basic idea of the claims process:
- You hire a personal injury attorney
- We investigate and gather evidence
- We review your economic and non-economic damages to calculate your claim’s value
- We file insurance claims and negotiate with adjusters
- Your case goes to trial if the liable party is underinsured or uninsured
What Are Punitive Damages?
According to the Arizona Bar Association, punitive damages can be issued alongside certain types of personal injury settlements. They are designed to punish wrongdoers. However, they are not an entitlement and are not frequently awarded in personal injury claims.
The Insurance Company Asked Me for a Statement, Should I Give Them One?
No! Never make the mistake of giving a statement to the insurance company. It could be manipulated to make it seem as though you have accepted fault for the accident. This could adversely impact the outcome of your claim if the state’s comparative fault laws take effect.
Get the Legal Representation You Need with No Out of Pocket Cost
If you are considering hiring a Phoenix personal injury lawyer, you may have heard the phrase “contingency fee” thrown around. Our firm’s attorneys work on a contingency basis. In short, a contingency fee is a type of payment arrangement between a lawyer and their client.
Instead of paying the lawyer an hourly rate or a flat fee upfront, the client only pays the lawyer if and when they win their case in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes §41-4803. This means that the lawyer’s fee is contingent on the outcome of the case.
Typically, a contingency fee is a percentage of the total amount of money awarded in the case.
Phoenix Resources
Contact a Personal Injury Law Firm in Phoenix for a Free Consultation
Accidents can be devastating for victims and loved ones. While injuries can vary in permanency and severity, some victims suffer the effects for the rest of their lives. As a result of someone else’s careless actions, victims may be left with financial losses, debt, emotional pain, and trauma after an accident.
You should not have to bear this burden on your own. To ensure that our clients receive the compensation and justice they are due, we give careful attention to each case. Your Phoenix personal injury attorney with our firm has extensive experience and a history of success serving clients in and around Arizona.
We are confident in our abilities to construct compelling cases and win successful outcomes. No matter the nature of your claim, we stand ready to provide you with the assistance and expert legal advice you need. Contact Zinda Law Group as soon as possible for a free, no-obligation consultation.
John (Jack) Zinda
Founder / CEO
Over 100 years of combined experience representing injured victims across the country.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
Neil Solomon
Partner
Real results matter. We do not get paid unless we win your case.
Available 24 / 7|Free Consultation
