Car Accidents
After a car accident, you’re often dealing with two big issues – the damage to you and the damage to your car. Even if you reported the crash to the police, took pictures of the damage, and got the numbers of witnesses, forcing insurance companies to pay can be difficult. They want to twist your words, argue you were partially at fault, and minimize your damages. You need a trusted Phoenix car accident lawyer to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer, we have the experience and the resources to take on deep-pocketed insurance companies. We get to know our clients on a personal level so we understand the full extent of the losses they have suffered. Our goal is to maximize the value of your car accident case so you have all the resources you need to heal and move forward.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a skilled Phoenix car accident attorney. Our team is available to talk anytime. And we do not charge any fees unless we recover payment for you.
When Should You Talk to a Car Accident Attorney After a Crash?
“Do I have a car accident case?” That’s a common question we get from people who have just been involved in motor vehicle accidents. You may be wondering whether you need an auto accident attorney or if you should try to deal with the insurance company yourself. The truth is: It depends.
If you were lucky enough to escape the crash with no injuries, you should be able to handle a property damage claim without an attorney.
However, if you were hurt in the crash, you should get legal advice as soon as possible. Even injuries that seem minor at first can leave you with significant financial losses. A trusted Phoenix car accident attorney can help you understand your right to compensation and fight for what’s fair in your case.
How a Phoenix Car Accident Attorney Can Help with Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Car accident victims who negotiate on their own regularly get less than they would have working with our personal injury lawyer. This is because insurance companies take advantage of car accident victims who are over-stressed and have little experience with the legal system. When you choose a seasoned Phoenix car accident attorney to handle your case, you are sending a message to the insurance company that you intend to get what you are owed.
Our Personal Injury Lawyer fights fiercely for our clients. You can count on our legal team to:
- Investigate your car crash to secure all possible evidence before it is lost or destroyed
- Identify all potentially liable parties and sources of compensation
- Document the full extent of your injuries and losses, including medical bills, vehicle repair/replacement expenses, lost income, and intangible losses such as pain and suffering
- Work with accident reconstruction experts, medical professionals, life care planners, and other specialists to build a strong case on your behalf
- Our Phoenix car accident attorney can negotiate aggressively with insurance companies and their legal team for a maximum car accident settlement amount
- Take your case to trial if the insurance company refuses to do what’s right
Our team handles every detail of your Phoenix, AZ auto accident claim from start to finish. The only thing you have to do is focus on your recovery.
Legally Reviewed By:
Alex Silkman
Alex Silkman is the founder and managing member of Silkman Law Firm Injury & Accident Lawyer. He focuses exclusively on personal injury and wrongful death cases, with the goal of getting truly just results for accident victims and their families...
Fighting for Full Compensation After a Car Accident in Phoenix, Phoenix
The long-term costs of a car accident can extend far beyond the initial medical bills you see coming in. A serious auto accident can leave you with both economic and non-economic losses that impact all areas of your life. An experienced Phoenix car accident lawyer can work with you to accurately assess your damages and fight for the full compensation you deserve. This includes payment for:
- Medical expenses, including costs of ER bills, surgeries, hospital stays, doctor visits, diagnostic tests, medications, and medical equipment
- Rehabilitative therapy and long-term care expenses
- Lost income if you missed time from work due to your injuries
- Reduced earning capacity for the future if you are unable to return to work
- Repair or replacement costs for your damaged vehicle
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Wrongful death damages for those who lost a loved one in a catastrophic crash
Insurance companies may offer you a quick and easy settlement in the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident. They are hoping you will jump at this initial offer before you understand the full extent of your losses. Never let an insurance adjuster tell you what your case is worth. You need your own car accident attorney who is devoted to recovering maximum compensation for you.
How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Lawsuit in Arizona?
In Arizona, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This time limit is known as the statute of limitations. Your lawyer will need to gather extensive documentation in preparation for filing your car accident claim. So the sooner you contact a car accident attorney, the better off you will be.
Of course, the best way to protect your rights after a crash is to work with a knowledgeable Phoenix car accident attorney.
However, you should also:
- Save all evidence from the crash scene. This includes any photos or videos you took, a copy of the police accident report, and the names and contact information for any witnesses.
- Get treatment and follow your doctor’s orders. Do not put off seeking medical help after a crash. Be sure to attend all follow-up appointments and stick to your treatment plan.
- Keep all your paperwork in one place. This includes medical bills, receipts, vehicle damage estimates, and paperwork from the insurance company.
- Stay off social media. Even seemingly innocent posts and pictures can be misinterpreted and used against you.
- Do not give a written or recorded statement to the insurance company. All communication should be handled by your Phoenix car accident attorney.
Although every car accident case we handle is unique, there are some common types of car accident claims we see.
Our experienced auto accident attorneys can help with car accident claims involving:
- Rear-end collisions
- Sideswipe accidents
- T-bone accidents
- Head-on crashes
- Intersection accidents
- Left-turn accidents
- Accidents with semi-trucks
- Accidents with motorcycles
- Drunk-driver accidents
- Accidents with pedestrians
- Accidents with cyclists
- Parking lot accidents
- Uber and Lyft accidents
- Crashes with uninsured motorists
- Hit-and-run accidents
- Multi-vehicle pile-ups
No matter what type of collision you were involved in, if someone else was to blame, you should talk to a Phoenix car accident attorney as soon as possible.
Oftentimes, the clients we represent are struggling to recover from life-altering personal injuries after a car wreck.
Our Phoenix car accident lawyers will fight for the full compensation you need to recover from:
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash
- Broken bones
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Burns
- Traumatic amputation
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
Catastrophic injuries like these often require expensive, long-term treatment. Our firm works with trusted medical experts to gain a true understanding of how your injuries will affect you in the future. This insight enables us to pursue the financial compensation you need to give you the best chance at recovery.
When we take your case, we will launch an extensive investigation to determine what caused your car crash and who should be held responsible.
Some common causes of car crashes in Phoenix include:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Following too closely or tailgating
- Fatigued or drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving or road rage
- Failing to yield at a stop light or stop sign
- Improper turns
- Dangerous lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
- Inexperienced drivers
- Wrong-way drivers
- Poorly designed roads or poor road conditions
- Defective auto parts
No matter the cause of your auto accident, if someone else was to blame, we will fight to hold that party accountable.
The number of drivers and passengers killed and injured by vehicle type in 2021:
- Passenger Cars (Sedans, Convertibles, etc.): 224 drivers killed, 18,644 drivers injured, 107 passengers killed, 5,972 passengers injured
- Station Wagons: 113 drivers killed, 8,145 drivers injured, 54 passengers killed, 3,165 passengers injured
- Pickup Trucks: 91 drivers killed, 4,115 drivers injured, 24 passengers killed, 1,449 passengers injured
- Vans: 11 drivers killed, 579 drivers injured, 4 passengers killed, 320 passengers injured
- Motorcycle (two or three-wheel): 154 drivers killed, 2,060 drivers injured, 6 passengers killed, 146 passengers injured
- Total: 664 drivers killed, 36,753 drivers injured, 214 passengers killed, 12,340 passengers injured
Drivers Killed and Injured by Age and Gender in 2021:
- Age 20-24: 80 drivers killed, 5,166 drivers injured
- Age 25-34: 122 drivers killed, 8,479 drivers injured
- Age 35-44: 98 drivers killed, 6,009 drivers injured
- Age 45-54: 102 drivers killed, 5,075 drivers injured
- Age 55-64: 98 drivers killed, 4,358 drivers injured
- Total: 664 drivers killed, 36,753 drivers injured
Alcohol-Related Crashes
Persons killed and injured in alcohol-related crashes in 2021:
- Age 20–24: 32 persons killed, 546 persons injured
- Age 25–34: 55 persons killed, 994 persons injured
- Age 35–44: 45 persons killed, 592 persons injured
- Age 45–54: 44 persons killed, 440 persons injured
- Age 55–64: 29 persons killed, 350 persons injured
- Total: 243 persons killed, 3,609 persons injured
Alcohol-related crashes by county:
- Maricopa: 3,569 crashes, 119 persons killed, 2,199 persons injured
- Pima: 704 crashes, 49 persons killed, 458 persons injured
- Pinal: 233 crashes, 9 persons killed, 157 persons injured
- Total: 5,620 crashes, 243 persons killed, 3,609 persons injured
source: ADOT