Personal Injury
Car Accidents
A car, motorcycle, or truck accident can change your life in seconds. If you were injured in a crash caused by another driver, Arizona law allows you to seek compensation for your injuries. The Talcott Law Firm handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis — you do not owe anything unless there is a recovery on your behalf.
We are available 24/7. (602) 595-5222
What to do after a crash
Get medical care first, even if you feel fine — some injuries take days to appear, and a gap in treatment is one of the first things an insurance company will use against your claim. If you can, photograph the vehicles, the scene, and your injuries, and get the names and contact information of any witnesses. Report the crash, and be careful about giving a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before speaking with an attorney.
Arizona is a fault state
In Arizona, the driver who caused the crash — through their insurance company — is responsible for the harm they caused. Every driver is required to carry minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage. Serious injuries exceed those minimums quickly, which is where the at-fault driver’s policy limits, umbrella coverage, and your own underinsured motorist coverage come into play.
Arizona insurers are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage under A.R.S. § 20-259.01. If the driver who hit you carried no insurance or too little, your own UM/UIM coverage may be the most important part of your claim — and using it does not mean suing yourself; it is coverage you already paid for.
Time limits for filing
Arizona’s statute of limitations for personal injury is two years from the date of injury under A.R.S. § 12-542. If a claim involves a public entity or public employee — a city vehicle, a bus, a dangerous intersection — a notice of claim must be filed within 180 days under A.R.S. § 12-821.01, and suit within one year. These deadlines are unforgiving, so it is important to contact an attorney quickly so you do not forfeit your right to recovery.
Pure comparative negligence
Arizona follows pure comparative fault under A.R.S. § 12-2505. Being partly at fault does not bar your claim — your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Even a person found mostly at fault may still recover the remaining share. Insurance adjusters know this, and shifting fault onto the injured person is a standard tactic for lowering what they pay.
What compensation can include
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Loss of consortium to your spouse
When handling your case, The Talcott Law Firm will complete a thorough investigation of the crash, collect the evidence, and advocate for you against powerful insurance companies. Most claims resolve by negotiation; if a fair settlement is not offered, we are experienced litigators who will take your case through discovery, mediation, arbitration and/or trial. Car accidents are one part of our personal injury practice, which also covers motorcycle and truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, and wrongful death.
Guide: Arizona car accident laws — what to do and what to know
Common questions
What should I do after a car accident in Phoenix?
Get medical care immediately, even if you feel fine — delayed symptoms are common, and gaps in treatment hurt claims. Photograph the scene and the vehicles, collect witness information, report the crash, and do not give the other driver's insurer a recorded statement before speaking with an attorney.
The other driver has no insurance. Do I still have a case?
Often yes, through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage — coverage Arizona insurers are required to offer and that you may already carry. Using it is exactly what it exists for, though your own insurer still has to be dealt with as an adverse negotiating party.
How long will my claim take?
Most claims resolve after treatment reaches a stable point, when the full extent of the injury can be documented — typically months rather than weeks. If the insurer will not offer fair value and suit is filed, litigation adds time. Settling before the injury is understood is the expensive kind of fast.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
First offers are usually calibrated to close claims cheaply before the injured person understands their case. Once you sign a release the claim is over, even if your condition worsens. Have any offer evaluated against your medical evidence before accepting.
How we work
What happens after you call.
Every case is different, but the first four steps rarely are.
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The free consultation
We listen to what happened, explain how fault and insurance work in plain language, and tell you what your claim realistically involves. Injury cases are contingency fee — you owe nothing unless there is a recovery.
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Investigation and treatment
You focus on medical care while we gather the police report, photographs, witness statements and records — and deal with the insurance adjusters so you do not have to.
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The demand and negotiation
When your treatment reaches a stable point, we document the full extent of your losses and present the claim. Most cases resolve here — for a number backed by evidence, not the first offer.
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Settlement or lawsuit
If the insurer will not pay fair value, we file suit and litigate — discovery, mediation, arbitration and, when necessary, trial.
FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION
Contact us for a free initial consultation
Or complete the form below to set up a convenient time to discuss your case.
- Phone
- 602-595-5222
- Availability
- We are available 24/7.