Glendale Car Accident Lawyer

In the days and weeks after a car accident in Arizona, you may be dealing with serious injuries, ongoing medical treatments, and significant pain. While you’re struggling to recover, it’s difficult to take on insurance companies who don’t have your best interests at heart but instead operate with the goal of minimizing payouts and maximizing premiums. That’s why the attorneys at Hastings & Hastings PC in Glendale have a decades-long reputation for representing clients who’ve been injured in car accidents due to the negligence or recklessness of another driver. Over 121,000 car accidents occurred in Arizona in 2021 alone, and with more people back on the roads after the end of pandemic closures, car accident numbers are on the rise.

If you or a family member have been injured in a car accident in Glendale or the surrounding area, you deserve representation by a Phoenix personal injury legal team with the skills and resources needed to maximize your chance of recovering economic and non-economic damages. Call Hastings & Hastings PC today for a free consultation.

Common Injuries in Car Accidents

Car accidents can result in significant, serious, and even deadly injuries. Common injuries from car accidents in Arizona include:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries
• Neck and back injuries
• Spinal Cord injuries
• Fractures
• Internal damage
• Burns

These and other injuries require medical treatment and time away from work. In some cases, they result in permanent disability or even death. If someone else was at fault in your accident, you need a Glendale accident attorney on your side.

Proving Liability in Arizona Car Accidents

If the negligence or recklessness of another driver, malfunctioning traffic lights, or a road in ill repair caused your accident, the insurance company of the person at fault is liable for your accident claim. In order to show liability in Arizona, the plaintiff must prove the following:

• That the defendant owed you a duty of care to keep you safe by taking reasonable actions such as following traffic laws and/or maintaining roadways and traffic signals
• That the at-fault party breached that duty of care through an act of negligence or recklessness
• That your injury was the direct result of that breach
• That you’ve suffered economic and non-economic damages as a result of your injury

By showing liability through an investigation of the evidence, such as police reports, medical records, and any photos or videos of the accident scene, the team of experienced accident attorneys at Hastings & Hastings PC can maximize your chance for a successful settlement or court award.

What Compensation Can You Gain for Damages After a Car Accident in Arizona?

Arizona considers two types of damages in car accident cases, economic and non-economic. If you were hurt in an accident, you deserve compensation for both types of damages. After showing liability in your car accident case, a diligent attorney understands how to carefully craft a demand letter, conduct strong negotiations, and argue on your behalf in court if required in order to help you gain the following compensation for your damages:

• Medical expenses and any medical expenses you’ll need for ongoing treatment related to your accident
• Lost wages from missed time at work and any future missed workdays
• Reduced income-earning capacity in cases of disability
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium (lost ability to enjoy a close, physical relationship with a romantic partner and/or reduced ability to care for and support children)
• Loss of quality of life

Arizona takes all damages seriously, both economic and non-economic. While compensation can’t undo your injury, it can help you focus on your recovery with fewer financial worries.

What to Do After a Car Accident

It’s difficult to remain calm and keep a clear head after the trauma of a car accident, but if you are well and able enough, and can remain clear-headed, the following steps can help to protect your physical and financial health in the days, weeks, and months following your accident:

• If you are seriously injured, remain in place and wait for first responders to help you
• If you are able to drive safely, move your vehicle to the shoulder of the road and out of the flow of traffic
• Call 911 to report the accident
• Provide reasonable aid or comfort to any other injured victims involved
• Use your smartphone to collect the contact information of any other involved drivers and eye-witnesses
• Snap photos of the vehicles, the accident scene, and any involved factors
• Allow the paramedics to treat your injuries and transport you to the hospital
• Undergo a full medical evaluation and inform your doctor of every symptom
• Ask for detailed medical records regarding your injuries, recommended treatment, and future prognosis, and follow all recommendations
• Request a copy of the accident report from the police
• Call a Glendale car accident lawyer before speaking to insurance representatives

By protecting yourself after an accident, you can maximize your chances of recovering damages.

What is the Statute of Limitations for Car Accident Claims in Arizona?

The state of Arizona places limits on the amount of time after an accident that victims can make a claim for damages. In most cases, the statute of limitations for car accident claims in the state is two years from the date of the accident. This helps protect defendants from lengthy, ongoing threats of lawsuits and helps cases come to court while evidence is still available and eyewitness testimony remains fresh. If you wait too long to file your case, the court will dismiss it once you’ve exceeded the statute of limitations.

Some exceptions to this statute include:

• For those who discover an injury later, the time limit begins on the day of discovery
• Those who are underage during an accident have two years from their 18th birthday in which to file a claim.

While it’s best to file a claim after you have a clear understanding of the physical and economic impacts of your accident, the sooner you file, the better the likelihood of a positive outcome for your case.

Why Choose Hastings & Hastings for Your Glendale Car Accident Lawyers?

Hastings & Hastings of Glendale has represented car accident injury victims in the area for decades with a track record of success. We will investigate your case through the police report, medical records, traffic camera photos or videos, and eyewitness testimony. We may hire accident reconstruction specialists and other experts to prove liability in your case. Our Phoenix personal injury team in Glendale offers free evaluations and we work at discount rates on a contingency fee basis so you owe nothing upfront. Contact our firm today in Glendale, and let us put our decades of combined experience to work for you.