Car accidents happen every day all over the country. Unfortunately, sometimes accidents are inevitable, and many collisions catch victims by surprise. No matter how well-prepared you think you may be in the event of a car crash, you may still feel stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of what to do.
If you’re injured in a car accident in Show Low do not hesitate to consult with a lawyer. A car accident attorney can provide much-needed advice, guidance, and representation during a challenging time.
Several factors influence the type of car accident you’ll experience, and every accident is different. Some of the most common types of collisions include:
One of the biggest contributors to the severity of a car accident is speed. Regardless of the direction of the vehicles or the location of impact, speed can make an already bad accident much worse. The impact of a speeding vehicle is enough to cause devastating injuries and sometimes even death.
Every kind of accident is dangerous in its own way. Regardless of the type of collision you’re involved in, you should still seek legal guidance, as you may have a valid claim for compensation.
Determining the cause of your collision is critical, as it can help you figure out who is responsible for your crash and play a role in your compensation claim.
Many factors can contribute to a car accident, including dangerous driving behaviors. Some of the negligent driving actions that cause car accidents include, but are not limited to:
Along with driver negligence, other causes of collisions include road hazards, road construction, and vehicle malfunctions or defects.
Sometimes, the cause of a car accident is evident. Still, you’ll need strong evidence to prove the responsible party’s fault for your collision. If the cause of your crash is unsure or unknown, your Show Low car accident lawyers can conduct a thorough investigation to get answers.
Many car accidents result in injuries. The severity of accident injuries depends on the kind of accident you experience and the seriousness of the impact. Some common types of accident injuries include:
The primary concern with accident injuries is the potential for future, long-term complications. Based on the type of injuries you sustain and their severity, you could face additional issues, including nerve damage, loss of sensation, or paralysis. Catastrophic injuries can require extensive medical care and have immense impacts on your ability to work and earn income as you once did.
Medical care can be particularly costly, which only adds to the undue stress after a car accident. This is one of the primary reasons it’s important, and often even necessary, to seek compensation from the at-fault party. Obtaining monetary recovery can help ensure you have the financial means to get the care you need and deserve.
Car accidents can be very traumatic and disorienting. Therefore, you may be confused and need clarification on what to do after a collision. Having some guidance can help make sure you protect your rights as an injured accident victim.
Immediately after an accident, you’ll likely feel the shock of the event. Take a moment to breathe and check yourself and your passengers for injuries. If anyone has suffered any substantial injuries, they should not move. Wait for medical assistance.
Right after a car accident, you should call 911 and ask for assistance from law enforcement. If you or anyone else involved has suffered injuries, also ask for emergency medical services.
Police officers play significant roles in car accidents. They have the skills and training to gather pertinent details and use this information in their police report concerning your collision. Police reports are commonly used to piece together the course of events and investigate who was at fault for an accident.
EMTs can help render medical assistance at the scene of the accident. However, due to the circumstances, they can only offer limited help. If your injuries are serious and require additional attention, allow EMTs to transport you to the hospital right away.
If possible, begin gathering evidence as soon as possible following your car crash. If another driver is involved, get their information, including their contact, insurance, and vehicle information. If there are any witnesses, try to get their contact details if your lawyer needs to speak with them later.
More evidence will become available in the days and weeks after your accident. From police reports to medical bills, your car accident attorney can collect every piece of evidence and documentation they can use to strengthen your claim and pursue fair compensation on your behalf.
Even if a car accident is not your fault, you must still report it to your insurer. You don’t have to call your insurance company from the scene of the collision, but make sure to report your accident as soon as you can.
Contact your insurance company and inform them of what’s happened. The representative will ask questions and gather information regarding your accident and resulting injuries and damage.
Whether you feel like you need to or not, seek follow-up medical attention soon after your collision.
It’s not uncommon for accident victims to believe they haven’t suffered any physical harm. This is due to the way the body reacts to stressful events. The “fight or flight” hormone, adrenaline, can mask any pain or discomfort you would otherwise feel, making you think you’ve walked away unscathed.
You may not begin to feel the effects of your injuries until several hours or even days after your accident. In order to avoid potential complications and start your recovery, it’s best to consult with a medical professional following your collision for a thorough physical examination.
After a collision, a qualified car accident attorney is your best ally. They can provide the advice, guidance, and direction you need.
Time is limited to take action after a car accident. Therefore, the sooner you can discuss your situation with a lawyer, the better it could be for your case. While your physical health and recovery should be top on your list of priorities, seeking legal assistance should also be high on the list.
After suffering injuries and losses in a car accident in Show Low, seeking justice and compensation should be of great importance. Speaking to an attorney can help you start the process, which consists of several steps.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may need to file a collision claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Arizona is a fault state, meaning injured parties can pursue compensation through a third-party claim filed against the responsible party’s insurer. This differs from no-fault states, where victims seek recovery from their own insurer.
A personal injury lawyer can help you file your claim and provide the insurance company with helpful evidence. Once you file your collision claim, the insurer will assign an adjuster, whose main job is to investigate your accident, review the details of your losses, and determine whether to approve or deny your claim.
It’s important to have your car accident lawyer handle your claim, as the other party’s insurance company should not be trusted. Insurers try to employ several tactics that could ruin the outcome of a claim entirely. Falling for their traps can negatively impact your claim, but your attorney can help prevent that from happening.
Should the insurance company approve your claim, you must review the settlement offer to ensure it adequately covers your losses. If the settlement offer is too low, your attorney can demand a greater settlement and even threaten further legal action to attempt to motivate the insurer.
If your claim is denied, you may still have options. Filing a personal injury lawsuit might allow you the opportunity to continue your pursuit of a just settlement.
In some cases, you may need to pivot and file a personal injury lawsuit in court. For example, if the insurance company is unwilling to settle fairly, or the at-fault driver had no insurance protection at the time of the collision, a personal injury lawsuit may be necessary.
Personal injury law is the area of law that allows injured victims to pursue compensation from the parties responsible for their harm. By filing a personal injury lawsuit, you’re seeking damages for the injuries and losses you sustained from your car accident.
Filing and navigating a personal injury claim can be particularly difficult, especially if you’re unfamiliar with Arizona law and procedures. For this reason, it’s critical to have a car accident lawyer handle your claim and aggressively pursue monetary recovery on your behalf.
Compensation for a car accident is tied to the injuries and losses you suffer as a result of the at-fault party’s actions. Compensatory damages can cover both your economic and non-economic damages.
Economic damages represent your tangible losses. They are typically easier to prove, as evidence is typically readily available. These losses include:
Non-economic damages, on the other hand, represent your intangible, non-monetary losses. These damages can be a bit more challenging to substantiate, and more proof is often necessary. These damages could include:
Based on the specifics of your case, you may also have the chance to pursue punitive damages. Punitive damages are not a type of compensatory damage, as their purpose is not to compensate the victim. Instead, these damages serve to punish defendants for their wrongdoings.
Calculating the value of your damages is crucial to help ensure you receive full and fair compensation after your car accident. Your car accident lawyer can consider several critical factors, including the severity of your injuries and how they have and will affect your life, to assist in assigning value to your case.
Car insurance companies often try to take advantage of accident victims and pay out much less than their claims are worth. When you have a car accident attorney on your side, you can trust your lawyer will accurately determine how much your case is worth and fight diligently to get you the compensation you need and deserve.
You may or may not be familiar with the concept of a “statute of limitations,” which affects civil cases. These laws place time limits on a plaintiff’s ability to file their claim in court.
Under Arizona law, in general, car accident victims have two years from the date of their collisions to file their claims. Still, certain details can affect how long you have. This is one of the reasons why it’s vital to seek assistance from a skilled lawyer. An attorney can help ensure you file your claim on time and don’t miss your chance to seek justice.
After experiencing a car accident in Show Low, you don’t have to handle your compensation claim alone. Legal help is available to you when you need it most. Hiring a car accident attorney can have a significant, positive impact on your case and the outcome of your claim.
The legal team at Torgenson Law fights hard for each and every client. We have over 20 years of experience holding negligent parties responsible for their wrongdoings and recovering favorable financial recovery for our clients. Our team aims to provide kindness and care and the highest quality representation throughout your case.
If you’ve suffered harm in a car accident in Show Low do not wait to get the legal assistance you need. Contact our firm online today or by calling 602-726-0747 to schedule your consultation, and let’s discuss how we can help.