Nearly 130,000 car accidents occur in Arizona every year, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Many of those accidents result in serious injuries or even death. If you suffered injuries or property losses because of a car accident, an Arizona car accident lawyer can help you understand your legal rights and take the critically appropriate steps you need to take following your car accident. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 794-0444 for a free case review with a team member.
Arizona Car Insurance Laws
Every driver on the roadway has the responsibility to operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner and have vehicle insurance coverage in the case of an accident. Specifically, ARS § 28-4135 and ARS § 28-4009 require that all motorists obtain car insurance liability coverage with minimums that increased for policies issued or renewed after July 1, 2020:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death of one person in one accident.
- $50,000 for bodily injury or death of two or more people in one accident.
- $15,000 for property damage in one accident.
Uninsured Motorists
While the above statutes require Arizona motorists to obtain car insurance coverage, some drivers disregard the law and do not purchase the required coverage. When these drivers drive negligently or recklessly and cause an accident that results in injuries or death, they do not have the insurance coverage to make victims whole. If you are an Arizona driver, you should consider purchasing uninsured liability coverage. However, if you were already involved in an accident with an uninsured motorist, contact your insurance company immediately to see if you added this coverage to your policy.
Types of Compensation
You have the right to receive compensation for any injuries or losses resulting from a car accident that resulted from another person’s negligence or recklessness. If that individual has car insurance coverage as mandated by Arizona law, you will have the ability to negotiate with their insurance company to recover compensation.
If the negligent driver does not have car insurance coverage, and you have uninsured motorist coverage, you will have to work with your insurance company regarding compensation for any of your injuries or losses resulting from the accident. Here are some of the most common types of compensation that you could receive following a car accident.
Medical Bills
Medical bills do not just mean doctor’s visits but include any expenses related to the car accident such as:
- The ambulance ride to the hospital
- Emergency room services
- Hospitalizations
- Surgical procedures
- Medical treatments
- Physical therapy
- Mental health therapy
- Medications
- Medical devices
Lost Wages
If you could not return to work as a result of the injuries you suffered in the accident, you might also have the right to recover lost wages as part of the settlement from an insurance company or judgment from a court. Lost wages are not just your salary, but can also include any missed bonuses, expected promotions, transportation allowances, retirement contributions, or employee benefits.
Property Damage
Your car accident likely resulted in property damage to your vehicle and its contents. You have a legal right to pursue compensation for any repairs or replacement costs because of a car accident stemming from someone else’s negligence.
Pain and Suffering
If you suffered physical or psychological injuries because of a car accident, you also have pain and suffering related to those injuries. You have the legal right to pursue compensation related to any pain and suffering resulting from the crash. The calculations regarding pain and suffering can become challenging and complicated, and visiting with an Arizona car accident lawyer can help you ensure that your calculations are appropriate and correct. Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today to review your case for free with a team member.
Calculating Total Compensation Packages
The calculation of medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and property damage is a challenging and legally complex task. An Arizona car accident lawyer can help you determine your total compensation package and fight to get a fair settlement given your specific and unique facts and circumstances.
Negotiating with the Insurance Company
Negotiating with insurance companies can prove challenging and frustrating for victims suffering from injuries or losses after a car accident. You might want to follow these guidelines as you engage in any communications with your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
- Answer questions briefly.
- Never answer, “How are you today?” with an answer that could indicate you are in good health, such as “OK” or “Fine.”
- Never accept the blame or responsibility regarding the car accident.
- Never allow an insurance company full access to your medical records.
- Never allow an insurance company to record your conversation.
- Answer proof of loss forms fully and honestly.
- Never accept the first offer from an insurance company, as it is typically a lowball offer hoping to take advantage of your desperation.
- Never cash a check unless you understand that it is likely the only check you will ever receive from the insurance company.
Learn How an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer Can Help You
You have the right to pursue justice and compensation if your injuries and losses resulted from someone else’s negligence. Remember that under ARS § 12-542, you only have two years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, which might seem like a long time until you account for how long it takes to investigate the cause of the accident and negotiate with insurance adjusters.
Learn how an Arizona car accident lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm can help you with all the legal steps you should follow after a serious car accident, including ensuring that you do not miss the deadline for taking legal action. Call (800) 794-0444 today for a free case review with a team member.