Did you lose a loved one in a fatal accident in Scottsdale, AZ?
At Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers, we are wrongful death lawyers who pursue full recovery for grieving families throughout Scottsdale and the surrounding area.
If a family member died because of another person's negligence in Scottsdale, Arizona law allows the surviving spouse, children, or parents to bring a wrongful death claim for the losses the death caused. An attorney can investigate what happened, identify every responsible party, and pursue compensation while your family focuses on one another.
Our founding attorney has spent more than ten years representing injured people and grieving families, never insurance companies. A Scottsdale, AZ wrongful death lawyer at our firm will meet with your family at no cost. Contact us when you are ready to talk.
Wrongful Death Lawyer Scottsdale, AZ
A wrongful death claim is a civil action brought when someone dies because of another party's wrongful act, neglect, or default. Under A.R.S. § 12-611, the claim exists whenever the person who died could have sued for the injury had they survived. It is separate from any criminal case, and it seeks compensation for the family rather than punishment.
Traffic crashes killed 15 people in Scottsdale in 2024 and injured 2,113 more, according to ADOT Crash Facts. A Scottsdale wrongful death attorney handles fatal crash claims as well as deaths caused by unsafe property and other forms of negligence.
Types of Wrongful Death Cases We Handle in Scottsdale
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Car accidents. Speeding and alcohol impairment were each a factor in more than 300 Arizona traffic deaths in 2025, according to ADOT's 2025 data. We obtain the police investigation, scene measurements, and vehicle data to establish how the fatal collision occurred.
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Truck accidents. A loaded commercial truck can weigh many times more than a passenger car, and collisions with one are often fatal. These claims may involve the driver, the trucking company, and a maintenance or loading contractor, each with separate insurance.
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Motorcycle accidents. Riders have almost no protection in a collision. When a driver turns left in front of a motorcycle or merges into it, we pursue the claim for the rider's family and respond to any attempt to shift blame onto the rider.
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Pedestrian accidents. People walking in Old Town, near resorts, or across major arterials are at serious risk, particularly after dark. We examine lighting, crosswalk placement, sight lines, and the driver's speed and attention.
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Uber accidents. A death involving a rideshare vehicle raises questions about which of several insurance policies applies. We identify every available source of coverage, including the rideshare company's policy, before any negotiation begins.
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Bicycle accidents. Cyclists killed by a driver who passed too closely, opened a door into a bike lane, or turned across their path leave families with the same rights as any other wrongful death claim. Witness statements and roadway video are often the most important evidence in these cases.
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Drunk driving crashes. Alcohol-related crashes killed six people in Scottsdale in 2024, according to the same ADOT report. Beyond compensation for the family's losses, a death caused by an impaired driver may support a claim for punitive damages, which are intended to punish conduct far worse than ordinary carelessness.
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Premises liability. Drownings in unfenced or unsupervised pools, falls from balconies, and deaths tied to inadequate security at hotels or apartment complexes can support a claim against the property owner or manager. We review maintenance records, prior incident reports, and the property's safety measures.
Why Choose Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers as My Wrongful Death Lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ?
Wrongful Death Results for Arizona Families
Our firm has helped clients recover millions of dollars, and our wrongful death results include:
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$500,000 in a wrongful death claim
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$375,000 for a family after a fatal incident
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$300,000, the full policy limits, in a wrongful death matter
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$150,000 policy limits recovery for a grieving family
Two of these results reached the maximum coverage available under the at-fault party's policy. That is why we look beyond the first policy for additional coverage, including a family's own underinsured motorist benefits.
Founding Attorney Justin L. Wyatt
Justin L. Wyatt founded our firm to represent injured people and their families, and he has practiced law in Arizona since 2015. He earned his Juris Doctorate at Arizona State University and is admitted in all Arizona courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. His 2021 Top 10 Jury Verdict recognition from The National Trial Lawyers came from taking a case all the way to a jury decision. He was also named to the Super Lawyers Rising Stars list from 2022 through 2025. He is a member of the Arizona Association for Justice and the Maricopa County Bar Association, and wrongful death cases are handled on contingency, with no fee unless we recover compensation. Beyond fatal cases, our firm works as a personal injury lawyer in Scottsdale, AZ for people recovering from serious injuries.
What Is Important to Understand About a Wrongful Death Case?
Damages, Liability, and Compensation for Wrongful Death Cases
Liability follows the same negligence principles that apply in any injury case. The family must show that the defendant owed a duty of care, breached it, and caused the death. Under A.R.S. § 12-613, the jury awards the damages it considers fair and just for the injury the death caused to the survivors, and it may weigh aggravating or mitigating circumstances. Recoverable wrongful death damages commonly include:
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Lost financial support and household services the person would have provided
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Funeral and burial expenses
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Loss of love, companionship, guidance, and care
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The grief and emotional suffering of surviving family members
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Medical expenses from the final injury
The Arizona Constitution prohibits laws that limit the damages recoverable for causing a death. Under A.R.S. § 12-612, the amount recovered is distributed among the eligible survivors in proportion to their damages. If the person who died shared some responsibility, comparative fault reduces the award by that percentage.
What Are Important Aspects of a Wrongful Death Case?
Scottsdale wrongful death claims differ from ordinary injury cases in several respects.
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One claim for the family. A single action is brought on behalf of all eligible survivors, usually by a spouse, child, parent, or the estate's personal representative.
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The deadline starts at death. A.R.S. § 12-542 gives families two years from the date of death, not the date of the accident, to file suit.
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Criminal charges are separate. A civil claim can proceed whether or not prosecutors file charges, and it uses a lower burden of proof than a criminal trial.
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Insurance coverage. Insurers often measure a fatal claim against a single policy that is far too small for the loss, so identifying every available policy matters early.
What Is the Wrongful Death Case Timeline?
A wrongful death case in Scottsdale moves differently than an injury claim because there is no period of medical recovery to wait through.
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Initial meeting and review of police, medical examiner, or incident reports
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Investigation, including witness interviews and preservation of physical evidence
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Calculation of economic losses, sometimes with an economist's analysis
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A written demand and negotiation with the insurer or insurers
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A lawsuit, discovery, and mediation if the case does not resolve
Claims involving several defendants or disputed liability generally take longer, and a case that proceeds to trial can extend well beyond a year. At resolution, some families choose between a lump sum and a structured settlement that pays over time.
What Should You Bring to Your Wrongful Death Consultation?
The following documents help our Scottsdale wrongful death attorneys evaluate the claim, although we can request most official records ourselves:
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The death certificate and any medical examiner report
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The police or incident report
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Pay stubs or tax returns showing the person's income
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Funeral and medical bills
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Names of witnesses and any photos or video from the scene
Your first meeting is free and confidential. We explain who may bring the claim, what compensation it may include, and what the coming months are likely to involve.
Most Dangerous Locations for Wrongful Death in Scottsdale
The City of Scottsdale's 2024 Traffic Volume and Collision report recorded 22 fatal collisions at the city's major intersections and road segments across 2023 and 2024, and it identified several corridors with high crash frequency or crash rates.
Dangerous streets:
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Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard. The stretch between Greenway Road and Hayden Loop ranked high for the number of collisions.
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Shea Boulevard. The segment from Hayden Road to Loop 101 also showed high crash frequency.
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Hayden Road. The section between Northsight Boulevard and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard ranked high for its collision rate.
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Granite Reef Road. The segment from Thomas Road to Osborn Road ranked high for its collision rate relative to traffic volume.
Dangerous highways:
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Loop 101 (Pima Freeway). The freeway runs through north and central Scottsdale and connects to several of the high-frequency corridors above, including Shea Boulevard and Frank Lloyd Wright Boulevard.
Reach Out to Wyatt Injury Law Personal Injury Lawyers to Schedule a Consultation
Losing a family member to someone else's negligence leaves questions that deserve clear answers. We handle Scottsdale wrongful death claims on contingency, with no fee unless we recover compensation for your family. Our office answers calls 24/7. Contact us to schedule a private consultation at a time that works for you.