Dealing With the Car Insurance Company in Arizona

Arizona law requires drivers to have a minimum amount of car insurance. The types of car insurance policies in Arizona typically include:

• Bodily injury liability coverage at a minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident.
• Property damage liability coverage at a minimum of $15,000.

Uninsured and underinsured (UM/UIM) motorist coverage and Medical Payments (MedPay) are optional in Arizona. If you choose not to carry UM/UIM, you must reject it in writing. 

Hit by a negligent driver? Here’s how to deal with the car insurance company

If you were injured in a crash caused by a negligent driver, their insurance company is obligated to pay for your damages. However, it’s not as simple as it sounds. Insurance companies are often reluctant to pay the full extent of damages and often use tactics to keep their costs down.

The best way to deal with the other driver’s car insurance company is to avoid speaking to them. Anything you say can be taken out of context and perceived as admitting fault. Plus, they will likely ask trick questions. If you provide an answer, it could potentially hurt your chances of getting compensated.

Let an experienced Arizona car accident lawyer handle all communications and negotiations. With an attorney on your side, the insurance company can’t take advantage of you.
 

If the driver who hit you doesn’t have car insurance, you may need to recover damages from your own insurance provider. You can do this through your UM/UIM coverage (if you have it). While it’s optional in Arizona, it’s highly recommended that you get it in case you’re involved in a crash with an uninsured driver. It also covers damages if you’re struck by a hit-and-run driver who can’t be identified.

UM/UIM pays for your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages for you and your passengers. The limits in Arizona are $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Plus, if you have MedPay, this will cover up to $5,000 in medical expenses.

Does health insurance cover car accidents?

Health insurance doesn’t cover car accident damages directly, but it covers some medical expenses related to a crash. However, you may need to pay deductibles or co-pays according to your policy.

To get the claims process started, you should take immediate action after a car accident. At the crash scene, you should do the following:

• Ensure everyone’s safety and call emergency services to report any significant injuries.
• Call the local or state police and wait for an officer to arrive at the scene. 
• Exchange contact and insurance information with other parties involved in the crash.
• Get witness contact information if there are witnesses at the crash scene.
• Gather as much evidence at the scene as you can—photographs, witness contact information, and a copy of the police report will all be helpful.
• Notify your own insurance company about the accident as soon as possible.

You should also get medical attention as soon as possible, even if you don’t feel like you’re injured. Many injuries produce symptoms within days, and sometimes weeks. An early medical evaluation allows you to identify and address an injury before it creates further complications. Plus, the diagnosis establishes a link between your injury and the crash.

Lastly, contact an Arizona car accident lawyer to file your claim. You must do this within two years, or your claim can be denied. But the sooner you act, the easier it will be for an attorney to build a strong case.

The best part of getting an attorney on your side is you won’t have to deal with the other driver’s car insurance company. Your attorney will first notify the at-fault driver’s insurance company about your intent to file a claim.

Your attorney will then conduct a thorough investigation into the crash to determine liability and the extent of damages. This may involve getting witness statements, reviewing the police report, examining medical records, and consulting with a crash reconstruction expert.

They will also place an accurate value on your claim and factor in:

• Current and future medical costs. 
• Lost wages and future earning capacity.
• Non-economic damages such as pain and suffering. 
• Property and vehicle damage.

Also, if the at-fault driver’s actions were intentional or grossly negligent, your attorney may pursue punitive damages. These damages don’t reimburse you for damages but aim to punish the at-fault driver and deter similar behavior in the future.

After the investigation is complete, your attorney will write a demand letter and begin negotiations with the car insurance company. If they can’t reach a settlement, they may file a lawsuit and take your case to trial where they’ll fight for a financial verdict. Most car accident cases are settled before going to trial.

Don’t let the insurance companies dictate the outcome of your claim. Most importantly, never accept a lowball settlement. Let a Law.com Premier Car Accident Lawyer fight for maximum compensation on your behalf.

Our verified attorneys understand the tricks insurance companies use and they won’t let them push you around. Best of all, Premier Attorneys in Arizona won’t charge you any upfront fees for their services. That’s because they operate on a contingency fee basis and only get paid if they win your case.

To get started on your claim, contact an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer and set up your free legal consultation.