Bullhead City Car Accident Lawyers

A motor vehicle collision, regardless of severity, has the potential to affect your finances and health. If you were injured in a recent crash, do not delay in seeking the legal support you need. Our experienced car accident lawyers serving Bullhead City, Arizona, are dedicated to helping injured parties secure maximum compensation for their medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. Your road to recovery starts with a phone call. Get started today with a free consultation.

Steps to Take After a Traffic Collision in Arizona

Follow these steps after a motor vehicle crash to protect your health and your right to compensation:

• Call 911: If there is significant property damage or injuries, call 911 immediately. The police will prepare a traffic incident report that serves as an official record, and emergency responders can provide necessary medical care at the crash site.
• Collect Evidence: Take pictures of the involved vehicles, accident scene, skid marks in the roadway, visible injuries, and other relevant details. Photos and videos of the incident can serve as valuable evidence for a bodily injury claim.
• Gather Information: Ask for the other driver’s full name, contact information, license plate number, and auto insurance policy information. If there are eyewitnesses, get their contact information. Your accident attorney will need these details to request a notarized statement from the eyewitness.
• Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid apologizing or admitting fault to the other driver, eyewitnesses, or the police. Remember that anything can be taken out of context and used as an admission of guilt against you and your personal injury claim.
• Seek Medical Treatment: If you did not go to the hospital after the crash, schedule an appointment with your doctor immediately, even if you believe your injuries are minor. It is important to document injuries as some may not present themselves right away, such as a brain injury.
• Keep Copies of Receipts and Records: Document all expenses related to the incident, such as towing costs, car repairs, and medical treatments. These records can be used as evidence to support your claim for reimbursement.
• Do Not Talk to the Insurance Company: Do not agree to a recorded statement or sign any settlement agreements from the insurer until you have retained legal counsel. When you sign a release, you cannot seek additional compensation for your injuries from that point forward.
• Call an Attorney: An experienced personal injury lawyer can protect your rights, handle communications with the insurers, compile evidence, and assist you in seeking maximum compensation for your losses.

Hiring a Bullhead City auto accident attorney immediately can help you avoid mistakes that may reduce the value of your bodily injury claim, allowing you to focus on your recovery while your lawyer deals with difficult insurance carriers and defense counsel on your behalf.

What are the Common Injuries in an Auto Accident?

Regardless of the cause of the motor vehicle crash, your injuries are the primary concern. As auto accident attorneys serving Bullhead City and surrounding communities in Arizona, we often see clients with the following injuries from traffic collisions:

• Brain injuries
• Bone fractures
• Nerve damage
• Internal trauma
• Spinal cord injuries
• Scarring and disfigurement

What is the Purpose of a Personal Injury Claim?

Injuries from traffic collisions can be severe, potentially resulting in temporary or permanent disability and even death in some extreme cases. The financial burden of accident-related injuries can be overwhelming for you and your family. Compensation in a bodily injury claim for a car wreck is intended to make a claimant whole again and, in a position, most comparable to their pre-accident state.

What Losses Can Be Recovered in a Bodily Injury Claim?

The types of economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury claim will vary based on the specific circumstances and facts. Generally, an injured party may seek compensation for:

• Past and future costs of necessary and reasonable medical care
• Loss of earnings and reduced earning potential from being temporarily or permanently unable to work
• Pain and suffering which refers to the emotional and physical distress caused by an accident-related injury
• Loss of consortium accounting for the harm an injury has had on a marital relationship
• Out-of-pocket expenses for medical devices and home/vehicle renovations to accommodate a permanent disability or injury from a crash

If you have questions about your potential case, call us or message us online for a free case evaluation today. We are available anytime to discuss your Bullhead City car accident case.

What is an Example of Punitive Damages Awarded in a Car Wreck Case?

If the driver who caused the crash was excessively speeding or driving while impaired in the moments leading to the incident, the injured party may have grounds to seek punitive damages against the at-fault party. These serve the sole purpose of punishing the defendant. Punitive damages are usually awarded at the discretion of the court. For more information, contact an experienced car accident lawyer in Bullhead City, Arizona.

What is Comparative Fault and How Can It Affect a Personal Injury Case?

Determining liability in a motor vehicle crash involves the consideration of many factors. Even if you believe you are partly to blame, do not accept fault. You may be eligible for compensation for your injuries and losses. Arizona operates under a system of comparative fault, meaning that your award would be reduced by the share of fault that is assigned to you. For instance, if you are 20 percent at fault, you would be eligible to receive 80 percent of the total award.

What if the Other Driver Does Not Have Auto Insurance?

In Arizona, insurance companies must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, which protects you if you are injured by a driver who lacks auto insurance or carries minimal coverage. To decline UM/UIM protection, you must sign a waiver. If you have not yet signed a waiver, you likely have this protection. Claims involving uninsured or underinsured motorists should be filed promptly, and a skilled Bullhead City auto accident attorney will assist you with these claims.

How Much Time Do You Have to File a Personal Injury Case?

The statute of limitations sets deadlines for filing a lawsuit to seek compensation for damages. In Arizona, the limit for personal injury cases, including motor vehicle crashes, is two years from the date of the incident. In other words, an injured person has no more than two years to settle with the other side or file a lawsuit. There are some exceptions to the two-year time limit. Cases against the government are subject to a six-month deadline instead of the two-year statute of limitations.

If you wait more than two years to file your case, you may lose the right to seek compensation, even if the crash was not your fault. While you may think this is ample time, it is recommended to retain legal counsel as soon as possible. Evidence may be altered or destroyed, eyewitness memories can fade, and strict filing deadlines can pass quickly. When you work with an experienced Bullhead car accident lawyer, your attorney can help explain the process and how it applies to your case.

Contact an Auto Accident Attorney Serving Bullhead City

If you have been injured in a motor vehicle crash, do not face the insurance company alone and let the insurer determine the value of your claim. Retain legal counsel to protect your rights and interests after a car wreck. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced auto accident attorney serving Bullhead City today. Reach out to our law office at (602) 777-3300. We proudly serve clients in Mohave County and throughout the state of Arizona.