How to Find the Right Lawyer After Your Car Accident

There are nearly 6 million licensed drivers in the State of Arizona and more than 8 million registered vehicles. When you consider that in the Phoenix Metro area alone, 10 billion vehicle miles are traveled every year, accidents are going to happen.

And they do.

According to data compiled from 2021 car, motorcycle, and pedestrian collisions in the City of Phoenix, there were nearly 30,000 collisions with more than half resulting in injuries and more than 300 involving fatalities.

It happens to people every day, and it can happen to you, no matter how careful you are behind the wheel. Your life could change in a moment due to another driver’s neglect or carelessness and it can leave you with injuries or disabilities that will be with you for the rest of your life.

When you are injured in a car accident, you need a personal injury lawyer who will fight for you, working hard to ensure that you get the compensation that you deserve. Finding one who is dedicated and sympathetic to you, committed to ensuring that justice is served may not be so easy.

Here’s what you need to know.

What Types of Compensation are Available to You After an Accident?

When you are injured in a car accident, you may have physical injuries as well as emotional or mental distress. Arizona law allows accident victims to be compensated for these types of injuries as well as economic and non-economic losses via a personal injury claim.

Under the law, an accident victim can seek compensation for:

• Medical Bills

  • Emergency room costs
  • Ambulance services
  • Physical therapy
  • Doctor’s visits
  • Specialist’s visits
  • Medication
  • Medical treatments

• Lost Wages

• Lost Opportunities for Employment

• Rental Car

• Property Damage

  • Car repair
  • Car replacement
  • Items inside the vehicle
  • Damage to other property

• Pain and Suffering

  • Physical pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment or quality of life
  • Loss of affection or companionship

The Arizona State Constitution does not allow caps on damage in car accidents or personal cases. This means that if a person is seriously injured in an accident, they can receive certain benefits, like medical treatment, indefinitely.

Arizona is a tort state, meaning that it is an at-fault state. This allows the injured party to seek compensation from the at-fault driver. This typically begins with a claim against the insurance company of the at-fault driver. If a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, then your personal injury attorney will file a lawsuit seeking compensation for the driver who was not at fault.

The statute of limitations for car accidents in Arizona is two years from the time of the accident. The claim must be filed within that time in order for the case to be valid.

How to Find the Best Car Accident Lawyer for Your Case

Finding a car accident attorney is easy. Finding the best car accident attorney is a little more difficult. Asking friends and family for their recommendations is a good place to start. You can get reliable testimonials from people you know and trust.

Questions to Ask a Car Accident Lawyer

Does the Attorney Have Experience? 

This is not to say that a new attorney won’t be any good, but car accidents can be very complex and require certain expertise that only experience can provide.

What Does the Attorney’s Track Record Look Like?

Research the attorney and look at other cases they have handled. What were the outcomes? Were the outcomes commensurate with the severity or magnitude of the case? Were the clients happy with their experience with the attorney?

Is it a Personal Injury Attorney who specializes in Car Accidents?

Many law firms have different lawyers who focus on specific areas of law. This is very common in personal injury because it is such a broad legal field. Does the attorney you are considering focus on car accidents, or do they have several “specialties” that they practice? Car accidents can be complex so you would likely be better served by going with an attorney who specializes in that area.

What Kind of Reputation Does the Attorney Have in the Community?

Research reviews by actual clients and read them thoroughly. Look for reviews that speak directly to their experience with the attorney, not necessarily the case. You are evaluating how well the attorney performed so that should be your focus.

Does the Attorney Have Experience Handling Cases Like Yours?

In law, experience counts. You naturally want an experienced attorney, but also look for lawyers who have handled cases that are similar to yours.

How Successful Has the Attorney Been in Negotiating with Insurance Companies?

Car accident claims are all about the insurance company negotiations. Look for a lawyer who has experience negotiating settlements with insurance companies and who has gotten their clients compensation that was reasonable for the injuries and loss they sustained.

Injured in a Car Wreck? Get the Best Phoenix Car Accident Attorney to Fight for You!

Whether you need a no-fault lawyer or an at-fault lawyer for your accident, we deliver. With more than 30 years of legal experience, we will fight for you and won’t stop until you get the compensation that you deserve.

At Brad Johnson Injury Law, we serve clients all across the Phoenix Valley and we have Spanish-speaking attorneys for our non-English speaking clients.

We offer a free case evaluation, and our contingency fee is one of the lowest in the business. We don’t get paid unless you do, and we only take 25% as opposed to other attorneys taking 33% or even more.

When you choose us, you can rest assured that we will handle your case with the care and commitment it deserves. And we won’t stop until justice is served.