Gilbert Car Accident Lawyer

Gilbert Car Accident Attorney

In a shocking and unexpected instant, a car accident can have life-altering consequences for you and your family. The loss of a vehicle and serious bodily injuries can cause immediate financial hardships and leave no clear remedies for your ordeal. Personal injury laws allow you to seek compensation from the at-fault driver once you hire a Gilbert car accident lawyer.

Your Gilbert personal injury lawyer can explore multiple avenues that can lead to a settlement or a case award in court. This can help you recover from your injuries and shore up your financial losses.

Common Causes of Car Accidents

Each year, there are more than 100,000 vehicle collisions on Arizona’s roads and highways. Although we often refer to those collisions as “accidents,” they almost always result from negligence on the part of one or more drivers involved in the crash. Examples of such negligence include:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a common cause of vehicle collisions. When someone takes their attention off the road, they greatly increase the chances that they will cause an accident. Smartphones are a common source of distraction for drivers these days. Any time someone causes an accident because they are not focused on the road, they can be found financially liable for any damage or injuries they cause.

Speeding

Speeding is another frequent cause of car accidents. When someone drives faster than the posted speed limit, they have less time to react to changing road conditions. Speed can also increase the severity of a crash.

High speeds can lead to loss of vehicle control, making it more difficult for drivers to avoid collisions. The higher impact from speeding can result in more serious injuries and greater property damage. Drivers have a responsibility to maintain a safe speed on the highway and roads. When weather makes driving conditions dangerous, the safest speed may be well below the posted speed limit.

Road Conditions and Layout

Road conditions and dangerous intersections can be one factor in a car accident. Dangerous intersections may not allow for ideal visibility of oncoming traffic. Certain stretches of road see more accidents than others, sometimes due to flaws in roadway design. Drivers are ultimately responsible for any accidents they cause, even when they occur on stretches of road that see statistically higher incidents of car accidents.

Mechanical Failure

Mechanical failure can also contribute to car collisions. This is more common with commercial trucks that require regular maintenance and repairs. Sometimes, trucking companies do not properly maintain their fleet as a cost-saving measure. When a semi-truck causes an accident, the injured party can hire a personal injury attorney. A seasoned attorney can review the repair and maintenance logs of the trucking company to see if they failed to properly maintain their trucks.

Important Steps to Take Following a Car Accident

Following a car accident in Gilbert, Arizona, you should take steps to keep yourself and those around you safe. If anyone is injured or could be injured, call 911. If you can safely do so, drive or push your vehicle onto the shoulder of the road and away from moving traffic.

When police and EMS arrive, answer the responding officer’s questions. Try to avoid making accusations about who caused the accident. Rather, let the facts of the case speak for themselves. The officer who files the police report likely has experience ascertaining who is responsible for causing the accident.

EMS may offer to examine you for injuries. After an accident, adrenaline can hinder your ability to know if you are injured. Even if you feel fine, consider letting a paramedic check you for symptoms of less obvious injuries, like concussions.

Make sure to take photos of the accident scene. Video footage can also be useful later on. Gather contact and insurance information from the drivers who are involved in the crash. If you see anyone who could be a witness, take their contact information as well.

As soon as you can, schedule an examination with your primary care physician, notify your insurance company of the accident, and consider consulting a personal injury lawyer.

How Can I Be Compensated for My Injuries?

Arizona is an at-fault state for car accidents. This means that the person who caused the accident is responsible for paying for any bodily harm or physical damage they caused. Your car accident lawyer can gather evidence to show that you did not cause the accident.

The first option for compensation often comes from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Your attorney can negotiate with that insurance company on your behalf. It is advisable to avoid communicating with the at-fault party or their insurance company. Those parties do not have your interests at heart, and anything you say to them could potentially weaken your claim.

Your lawyer can calculate the full value of your injuries plus any future costs that you are likely to incur as a result of the accident. If the insurance company makes an offer that fully compensates you for your financial losses, the claim will be closed when you accept the settlement.

In cases where the driver is underinsured, uninsured, or committed serious misconduct, your lawyer may seek compensation through the civil courts with a personal injury claim.

Personal injury claims are generally settled outside of court and through negotiations. If negotiations fail to compel the at-fault driver to pay for the damage they caused, the case may go to trial. There, a judge or jury ultimately decides who is at fault and what damages should be paid to the plaintiff.

Why Arizonans Trust Bleaman Law Firm, P.C.

When you need a caring, honest, and straightforward personal injury attorney, you can depend on Marc Bleaman at Bleaman Law Firm, P.C. Marc works with clients from all walks of life, offering professional legal representation without relying on gimmicks or flashy slogans.

With experience representing insurance companies, Marc understands the strategies of large employers, which can be a significant advantage when facing big corporations or insurance firms. At Bleaman Law Firm, P.C., we prioritize personalized service and a commitment to our clients.

You can receive clear, honest communication about your case with no false promises. Our primary goal is to maximize your compensation, ensuring that you have the resources needed for your recovery.

FAQs

Q: How Long After a Car Accident Can You Sue in Arizona?

A: The statute of limitations for filing a personal injury claim is two years from the injury date. Plaintiffs must adhere to this deadline, with very few exceptions. If they fail to file within these two years, they may forfeit their ability to seek financial compensation in court for the injuries caused by the at-fault party. One way to secure the option of taking legal action is by hiring a car accident attorney soon after your vehicular collision.

Q: When Do I Know That an Offer Is Fair?

A: A fair offer is a settlement proposal that fully compensates you for your injuries. The offer should also cover any future medical treatments you require or future lost wages you will incur due to the car accident. Your personal injury lawyer can calculate the full value of your injury. You are never obligated to accept a settlement that does not compensate you for your injuries.

Q: Is Arizona a No-Fault Accident State?

A: No. Arizona is not a no-fault accident state. Arizona follows a fault-based system, meaning that the person responsible for causing the car accident is also responsible for covering the damages and injuries resulting from the crash. The injured party can seek compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Many car collision victims find that having legal representation during the insurance claims process comes with many benefits.

Q: Who Is Liable for a Car Accident in Arizona?

A: The person whose negligence caused the accident is liable for paying for any damage they cause. Following an accident, it may be abundantly clear to you who caused the accident. Proving fault often requires gathering evidence and hiring an attorney who can piece together the moments that led to the collision. Photos, police records, video footage, and witness testimony can help you prove that you are not at fault for causing a vehicle accident.

Q: What Should I Do After an Accident in Arizona?

A: Following a car accident, your focus should be on your safety and that of those around you. If anyone is injured or potentially injured, call 911. If you can safely do so, drive or push your car away from moving traffic. Also, stay away from moving vehicles as you wait for the police.

Schedule Your Gilbert Car Accident Consultation Today

If you recently experienced a car accident, you need legal representation who can fight for your rights and interests. Arizona’s car accident laws allow injured parties to seek compensation through the courts. Many Gilbert residents trust Bleaman Law Firm, P.C., to handle their car accident cases because our firm has a strong reputation for professionalism, dedication, and success.

No matter the extent of your injuries, you can rely on our esteemed attorney to gather evidence and negotiate for the maximum compensation allowable under the law. If the driver is underinsured or uninsured, our lawyer is prepared to take your case to court. To schedule your consultation, contact our office today.