Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer

Have You Been Injured in a Phoenix Car Accident?

Phoenix auto injuries

The Phoenix car accident lawyers at Abels & Annes have extensive experience assisting people who have sustained injuries in a collision. Anyone who drives a vehicle in the state of Arizona has an obligation to exercise care to not hurt others.

If a driver fails to use due care when operating a motor vehicle in Arizona, the law considers this to be negligence. The defendant can be held accountable for any damages they cause. This can include medical bills, physical injuries, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc.

If you have injuries from an auto accident, you may be entitled to recover compensation. At Abels & Annes, P.C. we work with those who have been in car crashes, pedestrian accidents, bike accidents, bus accidents, truck accidents, and motorcycle accidents.

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys know what it takes to protect your rights and financial interest following a serious accident. Our goal is to handle your case so you can focus on your recovery and getting back to your regular life.

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Phoenix Car Accident FAQs

Below you can find answers to various questions about car crashes in Arizona.

How Common Are Car Accidents in Phoenix?

The number of fatalities in traffic crashes each year rivals those who die by gun violence. In 2013, there were more than 32,000 fatalities from traffic crashes across the nation, according to the CDC. That amounts to roughly 90 car crash deaths each day.

Arizona has its fair share of auto accidents too. On average, more than 100,000 auto accidents are reported each year. Of these car accidents in our state, over 700 people lose their lives and more than 33,000 sustain injuries, according to ADOT.

When a driver causes an accident, most often their insurance policy will cover the damages, both to the vehicle and to the accident victims. This is often where things get tricky, since insurance companies are for-profit companies and very rarely give out a fair settlement without pressure.

Other times, the at-fault motorist does not carry auto insurance as required by Arizona law. No insurance policy means no realistic way to get money directly from that at-fault driver. However, you still may have an accident claim to pursue. Most auto insurance policies have uninsured and under-insured motorist coverage. This allows you to make a claim against your own policy.

What are Common Causes of Car Accidents in Phoenix?

Here are several common causes of auto accidents in the Valley:

  • Driving Under The Influence of Alcohol or Drugs. Driving under the influence is still a major issue nationwide. According to the federal government, over 10,000 people lost their lives in this type of collision in 2016 alone. It accounted for 28% of traffic fatalities that year. A person loses his or her life every 50 minutes in this type of collision. These deaths have been reduced by approximately 1/3 over the past 30 years, however there is still lots of room for improvement.
  • Distracted Driving. Whether it’s talking on your cell phone, texting, using your GPS or even a cup of coffee, distracted driving remains a major safety issue.
  • Drowsy Driving. Surprisingly, AAA estimates that over 300,000 people are involved in drowsy driving crashes every year. Over 100,000 of those collisions result in injury and over 6,000 fatalities.
  • Failure to Yield. Our law firm handles this type of accident almost every day of the week. In 2018, there were just under 18,000 left turn accidents in Arizona. These resulted in 6733 injuries and 74 deaths.
  • Speeding. Reducing your speed is one of the easiest ways to avoid involvement in a collision. The federal government reports that in 2018, speeding was involved in 26% of all deaths on the roads. 25 people per day lose their lives in crashes where speeding plays a role.

What are Common Types of Auto Accidents in Phoenix?

  • Rear-end accident. This is still the most common type of accident. It often occurs when a driver isn’t paying attention, either approaching a traffic light or in stop and go traffic.
  • Side impact collision. This type of crash usually takes place when someone fails to yield in an intersection or in a parking lot.
  • Head-on collision. This can occur when someone is driving the wrong direction on a highway, or is going the wrong way on a one-way street, or crosses the centerline. This type of accident often involves some form of intoxication or distraction.
  • Backover accident. This type of collision usually occurs in a parking lot or on a driveway. A motorist backing up fails to observe another vehicle, pedestrian or bicyclist behind them.
  • Chain reaction accident. Sometimes also referred to as a pile-up or multi vehicle collision. This often happens with heavy interstate traffic. Here, a vehicle hits another in front of them, hard enough to knock that vehicle into a third or more.

What are Typical Damages From a Phoenix Car Crash?

Damages” is a term that lawyers and insurance companies use to discuss the money paid to a personal injury claimant as compensation for a loss or injury. Damages fall into two categories: special damages and general damages.

What are Special Damages?

Special damages are damages that can easily have a monetary value placed on them, like:

  • Medical services
  • Doctor appointments
  • Surgery costs
  • Lost wages
  • Loss of future income
  • Future medical expenses

Special damages can be proven with medical bills, tax returns, proof of income, receipts, and other billing records. Future damages can be proved by expert opinions.

What are General Damages?

General damages account for non-economic losses, or losses that cannot easily be counted or quantified. For example, pain and suffering, loss of consortium, loss of normal life and emotional distress.

General damages are more difficult to prove, but they are still very worth pursuing. Just think, how much is not being able to pick up your grandchild worth? What is the value of sleepless nights due to your pain? Or how much would someone have to pay you to never walk again?

What Should I do After a Phoenix Car Accident?

If you are in an accident, we recommend that you:

  • Call the authorities and make a police report. Do not let the at-fault driver talk you into skipping this step. This can sometimes cause insurance issues. Further, it allows the other side time to create a story and try to get out of accepting fault. Motorists are often more honest and forthcoming when speaking to investigating police officers at the scene.
  • Exchange information with the other driver. Take photos of the other driver's insurance information and driver's license.
  • Gather witness information. If there is an independent witness at the scene, make sure to take down contact information. Sometimes the police may skip this step and you may need that information later.
  • Take photos. Photograph the scene of the accident, and take photos of the damage to all vehicles involved.
  • Seek medical attention. If you have injuries, seek medical care as soon as possible after the accident.
  • Contact an auto accident attorney in Phoenix. Seek legal help before talking to any insurance carrier. Insurance adjusters will often try to take a statement from you immediately. That statement can be used against you later on.

What are Common Injuries From Car Accidents?

  • Back and neck injuries: Often these injuries are soft tissue in nature and can resolve with physical therapy. However, sometimes these injuries are more significant. We often have clients that sustain bulging discs, protruding discs or herniations. This type of injury might not resolve with therapy and you may need injections or surgery to recover.
  • Broken bones (fractures): Car crash attorneys in Phoenix sometimes have clients who sustain broken bones in an accident. Often victims need to undergo surgery to repair the injury. Sometimes there is permanent hardware affixed to the fracture site.
  • Lacerations: Whether it’s broken glass or hitting a fixed object, drivers and passengers can suffer serious cuts in accidents. Often it’s stitches in an emergency room, but sometimes plastic surgery is necessary.
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs): A violent blow or jolt to the head or body can result in a TBI. On the more serious side, this can cause a brain bleed or other physical damage with long term issues.
  • Torn tendons: Periodically auto accident victims suffer a tear to a tendon. For example a torn rotator cuff or a torn meniscus. These injuries often require surgery to repair.
  • Death: Tragically, not everyone survives. Our law office does work on cases involving fatalities from auto accidents.

The team at Abels & Annes, P.C. fights for the rights of those who suffer injuries in Phoenix auto accidents. We understand that driving is one of the most dangerous things we will do in our lives, and the statistics prove it.

For example, the NHTSA states that 26% of American drivers, at some point, will sustain injuries in an auto accident that requires medical treatment. Of those with injuries, 56% will require additional medical care at a later date.

Traffic accidents are an extremely common and dangerous segment of our modern lives. Across the nation, more than 2 million motorists need medical attention because of a collision each year. That is a lot of hospital and doctor visits because of car accidents, and it's a lot of medical bills too.

Abels & Annes, P.C. has a history of handling car accident cases. The defendant's insurance company will want to resolve your claim for the lowest amount of money possible. You need a law firm on your side with experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims. Understanding the extent of your injuries and the likelihood of future occupational or medical complications are the first steps toward building a case to recover lost wages, medical expenses and other damages. CONTACT us today to discuss your case and claim process today. 

Commercial Driving Accidents in Arizona

For many people, driving is just a part of their workday. When we think of commercial driving accidents, we typically think of incidents like a semi-truck accident or a bus accident.

But the truth of the matter is that motor vehicle accidents are the number one cause of work-related death in the United States, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This includes package delivery drivers, sales people, law enforcement, and many other types of employees that drive as part of their workday.

Further, the National Safety Council reports that one in four crashes involve a cell-phone distracted driver and many of those drivers are behind the wheel as part of their job. Employers who fail to establish cell-phone policies may be exposing themselves to liability.

Those who are injured on the job in a transportation accident are typically entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. A worker injured in a collision should always have an experienced Arizona personal injury attorney review the case.

In many instances, an at-fault driver or other third party may also be responsible for damages. Motorists that suffer injuries in a commercial vehicle will also need legal help. Frequently, a company’s liability insurance may offer additional protection.

Our Car Accident Settlements

Past case results are never guarantees of future results, but they do demonstrate how our legal team commits ourselves to excellence. The following are only a few examples of related case results:

  • $825,000 – Settled claim for a plaintiff who was rear-ended by a commercial vehicle. As a result of the accident she sustained a herniated disc in her lumbar spine and had to undergo surgery.
  • $600,000 – Reached an insurance policy limits settlement on behalf of the family of a passenger that was killed in an accident. We obtained $500,000 from the defendant's insurance carrier, and an additional $100,000 on an uninsured motorist claim due to the fact that a second defendant had no insurance.
  • $460,000 – Represented a plaintiff who underwent surgeries to repair a herniated disc. The car crash was caused when a driver did not yield when pulling away from a stop sign, striking our client's car.
  • $250,000 – Settled a claim for a driver who was involved in an accident with an uninsured driver. Car accident lawyers at our office pursued an uninsured motorist claim and collected the insurance policy limits. The plaintiff had to undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc that was suffered in the collision.
  • $220,000 – Represented the family of two children who were fatally injured after an intoxicated driver crossed a center line and hit the plaintiff's vehicle. The defendant was uninsured, so we successfully pursued an uninsured motorist claim and collected the insurance policy limits.
  • $200,000 – Settled claim on behalf of a client who was hit by a drunk driver. The plaintiff sustained two herniated discs in the accident.
  • $153,000 – Our office filed a lawsuit on behalf of a driver who sustained back injuries due to a defendant's negligence. Eventually both parties agreed to participate in a binding arbitration. A retired judge who heard the case returned a decision in favor of the plaintiff.

Contact a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer For a Free Consultation

Phoenix Auto Injury Lawyer Dave Abels
Dave Abels, Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer

Whether you are a year-around or seasonal resident of Phoenix, or just here on vacation, Abels & Annes, P.C. is here to protect your rights. We will hold the negligent parties and their insurance companies responsible.We have the knowledge, experience and resources necessary to fight for the compensation that you deserve. Anyone who has been in a serious traffic crash should speak to a personal injury law firm before agreeing to any type of settlement.

Contact us immediately if you have injuries from an Arizona car accident. We offer a free consultation to discuss your rights. There is no fee unless you win your case. Call (602) 819-5191.

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