How to File an Arizona Car Accident Claim

In the event of a collision, be sure to follow these initial steps after a car accident:

• Move your car out of the line of traffic.
• Check yourself and other parties for injuries and call 911, if necessary.
• Call the police and report the car accident. 
• Exchange contact and insurance information with other parties involved.
• Take pictures of the crash scene, including visible injuries, vehicle positions, and vehicle damage.
• Get immediate medical attention, even if you feel fine. 
• Report your car accident to your insurance company. Only provide basic details. 

How to file an insurance claim for a car accident in Arizona

Once you’ve completed the initial steps, it’s time to file your Arizona car accident claim. Before you proceed, it’s important to speak to an experienced car accident attorney who can advise you on your rights and legal options.

Avoid speaking to the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They often use tactics to reduce your compensation, prolong the settlement process, or deny your claim entirely. They may ask you trick questions to convince you to admit fault. Or, they may take anything you say out of context.

If they contact you, let them know that you have legal representation, and all further communications must go through your lawyer. Let an attorney file your claim for you, so you don’t make any errors that could jeopardize your chances of getting compensation.

Arizona allows up to two years from the date of your crash to file a claim. If you don’t meet that deadline, your claim could be denied.

However, it’s best to file as soon as possible. If you wait too long, the evidence can disappear. Plus, witnesses can forget important details regarding your collision. When you act fast, your attorney can gather evidence while it’s available and fresh.

What documents do I need to file an Arizona car accident claim?

The documents you’ll need to file a car accident claim successfully include:

• Contact and insurance information from the other driver.
• Witness contact information (if witnesses are present).
• The police report.
• Your medical diagnosis.
• Medical appointment logs.
• Medical bills and receipts.
• Vehicle repair estimates or receipts.
• Pay stubs to determine lost wages.

The amount of money you’re entitled to depends on the severity of your collision and the damages accrued. Only your attorney can determine the true value of your claim. They’ll factor in damages such as:

• Hospital and ambulance fees.
• Cost of medical visits and rehabilitation.
• Cost of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
• Lost wages and future earning capacity.
• Pain, suffering, emotional anguish, and loss of quality of life.
• Loss of consortium.
• Vehicle and property damage. 
• Punitive damages, if the at-fault driver’s actions were malicious or grossly negligent.

What if I was partially at fault for the car accident?

Arizona uses the pure comparative negligence law. This means that you can still recover damages, even if you were 99% at fault. However, your compensation will be reduced by the amount of fault you contributed.

For example, if you’re 10% at fault, and your damages come out to $20,000, you would be eligible for $18,000. Moreover, if you’re 80% at fault, you would only be eligible for $4,000.

In some cases, the at-fault driver is uninsured or leaves the scene of the crash and is never identified. While this can be frustrating, there are options for getting compensated for your damages. One of them is uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage. This covers your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. It also covers damages accrued by your passengers.

UM/UIM isn’t required in Arizona, as you can reject it in writing. However, it can save you a lot of trouble after a crash with an uninsured or hit-and-run driver. If you get UM/UIM, the limits in Arizona are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.

Another option is Medical Payments (MedPay). This is an optional add-on in Arizona, which covers up to $5,000 of medical expenses. You can also use your health insurance coverage to pay for some medical expenses. But depending on your deductible and policy terms, you may have to cover the co-payments out of pocket.

Ready to file your Arizona car accident claim? Get legal help from a Law.com Premier Lawyer who understands the process. A verified Arizona car accident lawyer will leave no stone unturned when it comes to building your claim and negotiating for a fair settlement.

To get started, contact a Premier Lawyer in Arizona and schedule your free consultation. Our verified Arizona attorneys operate on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t pay unless you’re fully compensated.

Arizona Premier Car Accident Lawyer

Browne Law Group
366 N Gilbert Rd, Unit 202, Gilbert, AZ 85234
(480) 771-2442
https://antilawyer.com/