A car accident can be a traumatic and overwhelming experience. In Arizona, a approach can protect your health, legal rights, and ability to secure compensation.
Whether you have been involved in a minor fender-bender or a severe collision, the appropriate steps to take after an accident in Arizona can make all the difference to the outcome of your claim for damages. Here is a detailed car accident guide that outlines what to do after a crash in Arizona.
Prioritize Your Safety and the Safety of Others
Immediately after the accident, your priority should be ensuring the safety of everyone involved. If possible, move vehicles out of traffic to a safe location. Turn on your hazard lights and use road flares or reflective triangles if you have them, especially if the accident occurs at night or in poor visibility conditions.
Check for Injuries
Car accidents can result in devastating injuries. Assess yourself and your passengers for visible injuries. Even if injuries seem minor, you must take them seriously. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent. If anyone is injured, call 911 to request medical assistance.
Call the Police
Under Arizona law, you must report an accident to law enforcement if there are injuries, fatalities, or significant property damage. When the police arrive, they will document the accident and create a police report, which can be critical evidence in your personal injury claim. Be sure to provide accurate information to the police, but avoid admitting fault or making speculative statements about the cause of the accident.
Exchange Information with the Other Driver
Arizona law requires drivers to exchange certain information after an accident. This includes:
- Name and contact information
- Driver’s license number
- Vehicle registration
- Insurance information
In addition, try to gather contact information from any passengers or witnesses to the accident. Their statements could provide key evidence if a dispute arises about liability.
Document the Accident Scene
While waiting for the police, take the time to gather evidence at the scene. Use your phone to photograph the damage to all vehicles involved, the surrounding area, skid marks, traffic signs, and any other relevant details. Take photos of injuries as well. These images can be invaluable when negotiating with insurance companies or presenting evidence in court.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you feel fine after the accident, seek medical attention immediately. Some injuries, such as concussions, whiplash, or soft tissue damage, may not present symptoms immediately but could worsen over time.
Medical records are a critical part of your personal injury claim, as they establish the link between the accident and your injuries. Delaying medical treatment may give insurance companies an excuse to argue that your injuries were not caused by the accident.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Arizona law requires drivers to carry minimum insurance coverage. After an accident, you must inform your insurance company. Most policies have a time limit for reporting accidents, so notify an agent as soon as possible. Provide factual information about the accident, but avoid giving a recorded statement until you have consulted with an attorney.
Contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer
Contacting a skilled Phoenix car accident lawyer is one of the most important things to do after an accident. An experienced lawyer will protect your legal rights, handle negotiations with the insurance provider, and help ensure you receive fair compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system, which means that even if you’re partially at fault for the accident, you may still be eligible to recover damages.
Notify the Arizona Department of Transportation
In Arizona, if a car accident causes injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000, you are required to submit an accident report to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) within 10 days. The police may handle this for you if they respond to the scene—but if they don’t, it’s your responsibility to ensure the report is filed. Your personal injury lawyer can assist you with this requirement.
Keep a Detailed Record of the Accident and Your Injuries
Maintain a detailed record of everything related to your car crash, including medical bills, vehicle repair costs, missed workdays, and any other expenses. Keep a personal journal documenting your physical symptoms, emotional distress, and how your injuries affect your daily life. This information will be valuable when calculating the amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Steps Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers Take to Protect Your Right to Maximum Compensation
Ensure Access to the Right Medical Care
Our Phoenix car accident lawyers at Wyatt Injury Law will make sure you receive the best possible medical care to safeguard your physical and mental well-being. If you’re not already under the care of a trusted physician, we can connect you with top medical professionals who can diagnose and treat your injuries.
By helping you get the appropriate medical attention, we aim to facilitate a faster and more complete recovery while also building a solid foundation for your personal injury claim.
Fast Action to Collect Critical Evidence
Time is of the essence in a personal injury case. We move quickly to collect all essential medical records, accident reports, and other documentation needed to build a strong case. Our team issues a demand letter to the at-fault party and a spoliation letter to preserve vital evidence. We gather various forms of evidence, such as witness statements, photos from the accident scene, police reports, and surveillance footage to ensure no detail is overlooked.
Filing Your Civil Claim for Damages Accurately
Filing a civil claim for damages in Arizona involves precise legal procedures and paperwork. We ensure that your claim is filed correctly, meeting all deadlines and fulfilling every legal formality. Our diligent legal team will take care that your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are accounted for to the fullest extent.
Protecting You from the Insurer’s Unfair Tactics
Insurance companies may try to minimize payouts by offering lowball settlements or using your own words against you. At Wyatt Injury Law, we shield you from these tactics. Our dedicated Phoenix personal injury lawyers handle all communications with the insurance companies, ensuring they don’t take advantage of you.
Aggressive Negotiations for Maximum Compensation
Armed with a robust body of evidence, we engage in negotiations with the insurance company from a position of strength. Our experience in handling complex car accident claims enables us to push for the maximum compensation you are entitled to. We rely on documented proof to counter any attempts of the defendants to downplay your injuries and reduce their liability.
Trial Preparation from Day One
While negotiations are ongoing, we simultaneously begin preparing for trial, demonstrating to the insurance companies that we are fully determined to take the case to court, if necessary. We may hire accident reconstructionists and other experts who can provide powerful testimony to support your claim. This aggressive approach gives us leverage in settlement negotiations and shows the insurers that we will not back down until we recover maximum damages for you.To schedule your free consultation, call us at (480) 660-8047 or contact us online.