Car accidents are common, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t life-changing and potentially harmful events. At Stewart Law Group, we recognize and sympathize with the pain you and your loved ones may be going through after a car accident. We understand that your new circumstances can be financially and emotionally draining. This is where we can help.
Our team is comprised of experienced courtroom lawyers who aren’t afraid to seek the maximum possible compensation in your car accident case. With decades of experience, we will do everything possible to set things right after your accident with a negligent third party.
Contact The Grand Canyon State’s preferred legal team by requesting your free, no-obligation car accident case review with a qualified Surprise car accident attorney today at 623-263-1000.
Understanding The Basics Regarding Car Accidents
Car accidents are a prevalent cause of death and injury in the United States. Despite being one of the world’s most wealthy and industrialized countries, the U.S. experiences a high volume of car accidents. Out of 29 high-income countries, the U.S. ranks #1 for motor vehicle crash fatalities in research published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
According to research performed by the CDC’s Injury Center:
- More than 110 people die each day due to car accidents
- 41,000 people die in fatal crashes each year in the U.S.
- ⅓ of all deaths in car accidents are due to the involvement of alcohol
Even if a car accident is not severe enough to yield fatalities, individuals still are frequently injured in serious car accidents. In 2020 alone, there were 4.8 million injuries requiring medical attention attributable to motor vehicle accidents, according to research authored by the National Safety Council (NSC).
Arizona Car Accident Statistics
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)’s fatality report, there were 1,054 traffic fatalities in 2020. Maricopa County alone accounted for nearly half of those fatalities, with 495 people losing their lives in traffic incidents.
Types Of Car Accidents
Car accidents can take many forms and vary in severity. Some common types of car accidents include rear-end collisions, side-impact or T-bone accidents, head-on collisions, rollover accidents, and single-car accidents.
The type of crash does affect victim outcomes. According to the NSC, angled collisions cause nearly half of all motor vehicle fatalities. Head-on collisions cause a third of all fatalities.
Circumstances Yielding Car Accidents
Many factors contribute to car accidents in Arizona, and it is important to be aware of them to stay safe on the road. The NHTSA found that around 94% of car accidents are caused by driver-related errors, with a little over 2% of car accidents related to vehicle malfunctions and poor road conditions.
If you or a loved one have been involved in a car accident in Arizona and are visiting this page, one of the following circumstances may have been involved in your case:
- Inattention or Distracted Driving
- Failure to Abide Right of Way
- Running Traffic Signals or Lights
- Speeding
- Loss of Control of the Vehicle
Even if the person who caused the accident had external factors impacting the case, they may still be held liable for your damages. For example, poor visibility on a rainy night was a factor in why they rear-ended you. However, they were still responsible for responding proactively and driving more carefully in the rain.
Of course, to further explore the nuances of determining liability in a car accident, your best interest is to contact a trusted Surprise car accident lawyer like the ones at the Stewart Law Group. Our team at Stewart Law is always open to providing free car accident consultations to help you understand the intricacies of your case.
Common Injuries Stemming From Arizona Car Accidents
Car accidents can yield permanent disability and long-term health implications. Examples of injuries that could come from a car accident include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries
- Spinal Cord Injuries
- Whiplash and Concussions
- Burns
- Internal Bleeding and Bruising
- Soft Tissue Damage
- Organ Failure
- Crushed Limbs and Digits
Many of these injuries can cause paralysis, loss of function, disfigurement, amputation, and even – if severe enough – wrongful death.
Statutes And Legal Principles That Impact Arizona Car Accident Cases
In Arizona, if an individual has experienced a car accident attributable to the fault of another driver, it’s well within a victim’s right to bring a case to court.
Considering the pain and anguish of car accident injuries, knowing your rights is important if you’re considering legal action against a negligent third party from a Surprise personal injury lawyer.
Comparative Negligence
In Arizona, damages are awarded proportionately to each party’s percentage of fault for the accident, as defined in Arizona Revised Statute 12-2505. If a driver is injured in an accident, they may still be able to recover damages from the at-fault driver’s insurance company, even if they were partially at fault.
For example, if a driver is found to be 30% at fault for an accident, they may only be able to recover 70% of possible damages.
Determining Fault
Arizona is a “fault” state when awarding damages after car accidents. That means insurance companies must determine fault before insurance policies can award damages.
There are only 12 states in the U.S. with “no-fault insurance” laws, which means each driver’s insurance company pays for their policyholder’s damages regardless of who caused the accident. Arizona is not one of them.
Statute of Limitations
For most Arizona personal injury cases, including car accidents, victims have two years to start legal proceedings in their case.
Are You Overwhelmed After Your Surprise Car Accident? Contact Stewart Law Group Now.
We are so sorry that this set of circumstances yielding injury and pain has happened to you or a cherished loved one. At Stewart Law Group, we want to ensure the negligent third party doesn’t get away with their negligence. As Surprise’s choice for a car accident legal team, we’re ready to win maximum compensation for you in your accident case.
Get in touch with Stewart Law Group and request your free consultation and case review today at 623-263-1000.