Goodyear Car Accident Attorney
After a car accident, you need legal assistance for your injuries and property damage. You also need someone who can explain Arizona car accident laws in a way you can understand. If your injuries are due to someone else’s negligence, how do you seek compensation for medical expenses and property damage? You need aggressive advocates to pursue justice on your behalf.
The Goodyear car accident attorneys at Wyatt Injury Law have the answers you need. If you have severe injuries because another driver was reckless or careless, you deserve fair compensation for your medical treatment and missed work. We’re here to give you the personalized attention your case needs and help you file your car accident claim.
When you’ve had an auto accident and need expert legal services, Wyatt Injury Law is the law firm you need. We’ve served clients in Goodyear, AZ, for many years, and we know the area and our clients’ needs. The initial consultation is free, and we work on a no-fee basis. There’s no cost to you unless we settle or win your case. Call our office at (602) 354-7346 for a free case review or schedule an appointment online.
Legal Consultation and Case Evaluation Process
The first step in your car accident claim is the case evaluation. An experienced attorney with Wyatt Injury Law reviews the facts in your case and gives you some legal options in pursuing your claim. When you file an insurance claim, you must include all necessary documentation for the insurer to establish fault. According to industry statistics, most insurance claims are delayed or denied because of insufficient documentation. Your claim should include:
- Medical records and doctors’ reports
- Police reports
- Accident scene photos and videos
- Witness statements and contact information
If you cannot get all this information yourself, your attorney can help you collect it. The more information you have, the better your chances of a fair settlement from the insurer. At Wyatt Injury Law, we prepare your claim as if your case were headed for trial. If the case must go to litigation, we have all the evidence the legal system requires. The more evidence on your side, the more likely you’re to receive maximum compensation for your claim.
Litigation Strategy
Arizona is an “at-fault” state, meaning the driver who was responsible for the accident pays for the victim’s injuries. The legal process places the burden of proof on the plaintiff in a civil case. In a trial, you must show that the other driver was at fault for the accident.
In addition to the evidence you gather for the initial insurance claim, your Goodyear car accident lawyer helps you develop your court case. The discovery process is the legal term for exchanging evidence with the other party in your case. Our legal team will review the defendant’s evidence for:
- Aggressive driving, such as past tickets for speeding or road rage
- Other lawsuits for similar accidents
- Medical information that refutes their testimony
We also obtain medical experts to establish the severity of your injuries and your need for medical attention and long-term care. Car accident cases may require accident reconstruction specialists and other experts, and our team ensures you have what you need to prevail at trial.
Most cases settle before trial. If we have all the evidence we need before we reach court, we can keep negotiating with opposing counsel until the last moment. By doing so, we help ensure that our clients get a fair settlement from the insurance company.
Legal Rights and Protections for Car Accident Victims
The legal recovery process can seem slanted towards the defendant, but victims have rights, too. Under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule, you’re still covered even if you were partially responsible for your accident.
When you file your injury claim, the insurance company may determine you were partially at fault. In that case, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For instance, if the total award is $100,000 and you were 20% at fault, you can still recover $80,000.
Wyatt Injury Law will review your claim to ensure you’ve requested all damages you’re entitled to request. You may know you can ask for medical bills and lost wages, but you can ask for a few additional items.
Economic damages include medical bills, lost wages, any additional lost income, medical equipment (such as wheelchairs), and medical costs not otherwise covered, like prescriptions. You can also receive future medical costs if your doctor believes you need them.
Non-economic damages are things like pain and suffering, emotional trauma, loss of consortium, and loss of enjoyment. You can request these damages from auto insurance companies as part of an insurance claim.
Punitive damages are awarded in a trial. You cannot ask for them on your insurance claim. During your consultation, we can advise you if your case might justify a trial and a request for punitive damages. To get these damages, we must show that the other driver acted with “gross negligence,” which amounts to criminal behavior. Punitive damages are often awarded after drunk-driving accidents and similar cases.
Contact Wyatt Injury Law
After any car or motorcycle accident, you should seek legal representation. Wyatt Injury Law wants all our clients to get the compensation they deserve. The Arizona statute of limitations gives you two years from the date of the injury or accident to file a personal injury claim. When you come to see our Goodyear car accident attorneys, they will tell you if you’re close to that deadline and what you should do if the statute has run.
The attorneys at Wyatt Injury Law have been serving Goodyear and West Valley for many years. We know how to handle complex and straightforward cases and want our clients to receive the justice they need for their personal injury claims. Call us at (602) 354-7346 or make an appointment for a free consultation. We work on a contingency fee basis. There’s no time like the present.