Phoenix Car Accident Attorney

Legal Representation is Available from MayesTelles PLLC

Tens of thousands of auto accidents happen every single year in Arizona, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in medical bills and other expenses for innocent victims. A serious collision can result in life-changing injuries and damages, and it doesn’t matter where you were at the time of the crash – walking along the sidewalk, riding a bicycle, or driving a vehicle yourself – if you were injured due to someone else’s negligent driving, you deserve to be compensated for:

• Your injuries
• Your lost time from work
• Your pain & suffering

Call us today at (602) 428-7104 so speak with one of our Phoenix auto accident lawyers.

At MayesTelles PLLC, our Phoenix auto accident attorneys have nearly 200 years of collective experience handling thousands of cases, and are ready to fight for you at the negotiation table and in court. If you or someone you love was injured in an auto accident, contact us today so we can begin working to create a plan of action that will put you in the best position to seek the maximum compensation possible.

Determining Responsibility

A key part of any auto accident claim is proving who was at fault in the crash. If you were involved in a crash, it’s important to take note of as many details as possible in order to prove that the other party was liable for the damage and your injuries. Were they driving under the influence? Were they busy looking at their phone before crashing into you? Did they disobey any traffic laws, like running a red light? Did they admit to you that they were at fault? Were they turning left? The more information you can provide, the easier it will be to work together to prove liability.

Even if you prove that the other party was liable to their insurer, you must still prove your damages. These include medical bills, lost time from work, pain and suffering, and potential permanent injuries. The minimum insurance requirement in Arizona is 15/30/10 - $15,000 of coverage for bodily injuries per person, $30,000 of coverage for bodily injuries per accident, and $10,000 of coverage for property damage per accident. Depending on the severity of the crash and the severity of your injuries, you could build up far more than $15,000 in medical bills before you even leave the hospital. In these cases, an experienced attorney can look for other sources of insurance or contribution to help compensate you fully for your injuries.

Multiple Parties Could Be Responsible for Your Damages and Injuries

Car accidents can be complex, and determining liability often involves more than just identifying a single at-fault driver. In some cases, multiple parties may share responsibility for the damages and injuries suffered by victims. Here are several scenarios where more than one party could be held liable:

• Multiple Drivers: In accidents involving multiple vehicles, more than one driver may be found at fault. For example, a chain-reaction collision might involve a driver who rear-ended the car in front of them and another driver who failed to stop in time. Each party’s level of fault will determine their portion of the liability for the accident.
• Employers of At-Fault Drivers: If a driver was operating a vehicle for work purposes at the time of the accident, their employer might also be liable under the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. For example, a delivery truck driver who causes a collision while on the job may expose their employer to legal action.
• Vehicle Manufacturers: Sometimes, car accidents occur due to mechanical failures or defective parts, such as brake malfunctions, tire blowouts, or faulty airbags. In these cases, the vehicle manufacturer, or the company responsible for a specific defective part, could be held liable for injuries resulting from their product’s failure.
• Government Entities: In some cases, unsafe road conditions may contribute to an accident. If poor road maintenance, faulty traffic signals, or inadequate signage played a role in causing the crash, the government entity responsible for maintaining the roadway could be held accountable.
• Third-Party Contractors: In cases where road construction work created hazardous conditions, such as debris on the road or unmarked detours, the construction company or contractors responsible for the work may share liability for the accident.

Having an experienced attorney by your side can help identify all responsible parties, ensuring that you pursue every avenue for compensation. At MayesTelles PLLC, our team can conduct a thorough investigation of your accident to determine who may be at fault, whether it’s another driver, a company, or a third party.

Tactics Insurance Companies Use to Reduce Their Liability and Payout

Insurance companies are businesses with a primary goal of minimizing payouts to protect their bottom line. While they may seem cooperative at first, they often employ various tactics to reduce or deny your claim. Understanding these strategies can help you avoid falling into their traps. Here are some common tactics used by insurance companies:

• Low Initial Settlement Offers: After an accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may offer you a quick settlement. While it might seem like they are trying to resolve your claim efficiently, these initial offers are often significantly lower than what you deserve. Insurance adjusters may hope that you’ll accept the offer before fully understanding the extent of your injuries or the long-term impact on your life.
• Delaying the Claims Process: Insurance companies may intentionally delay processing your claim to wear you down, hoping you’ll accept a lower settlement out of frustration or financial need. These delays can also allow them to investigate further, looking for reasons to deny or reduce your claim.
• Questioning the Severity of Your Injuries: One of the most common tactics is to downplay the extent of your injuries. Insurance adjusters may argue that your injuries aren’t as severe as claimed or suggest that they are unrelated to the accident. They may even request access to your medical history in an attempt to argue that your injuries were pre-existing.
• Blaming You for the Accident: Insurance companies may attempt to place some or all of the blame on you to reduce the payout. Arizona operates under a comparative negligence rule, meaning that your compensation can be reduced based on your percentage of fault. For example, if you’re found to be 20% at fault, your total compensation will be reduced by 20%. Insurance adjusters will often try to shift as much blame as possible onto you to minimize their liability.
• Disputing the Necessity of Medical Treatment: Another tactic involves disputing the medical treatment you received after the accident. The insurance company may argue that certain treatments were unnecessary or that you over-treated for your injuries. This can result in them offering less compensation for your medical expenses than you’re entitled to receive.
• Using Your Statements Against You: Insurance adjusters may ask for recorded statements shortly after the accident, hoping you’ll say something they can use against you. Even seemingly innocent statements like “I feel fine” or “It’s not too bad” can be twisted to suggest that your injuries are minor or nonexistent. It’s always best to consult with an attorney before speaking with an insurance company.
• Denying Liability Entirely: In some cases, the insurance company may deny that their insured party was at fault altogether. They may argue that the accident was unavoidable, caused by a third party, or even your fault. This is why gathering evidence, such as police reports, witness statements, and photographs of the accident scene, is crucial.

How an Experienced Attorney Can Help Protect Your Rights

Navigating the claims process after a car accident can be overwhelming, especially when insurance companies use these tactics to reduce your compensation. An experienced Phoenix car accident attorney from MayesTelles PLLC can help protect your rights by:

• Negotiating with the insurance company: Our attorneys are skilled negotiators who know how to counter the insurance company’s tactics and fight for a fair settlement.
• Gathering evidence: We can help you collect critical evidence, such as medical records, accident reports, and witness testimony, to support your claim and prove liability.
• Evaluating settlement offers: Our team will review any settlement offers you receive to ensure they fully cover your medical bills, lost wages, and other damages.
• Representing you in court: If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we’re prepared to take your case to court and fight for the compensation you deserve.

At MayesTelles PLLC, our Phoenix car accident attorneys are well-versed in these tactics and are prepared to counter them effectively. We work diligently to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Don’t Wait To Hire A Qualified Attorney

A serious auto accident needs a serious auto accident lawyer to ensure you’re in a position to pursue maximum compensation. At MayesTelles PLLC, our Phoenix auto accident lawyers have the knowledge, experience, and dedication you need to secure the result you deserve.

Fill out our online form to tell us the details of your case, or call us at (602) 428-7104 to speak with one of our auto accident attorneys.

Helpful Resources

• Arizona Department of Transportation provides information on traffic safety, accident statistics, and resources for drivers in Arizona.
• Phoenix Police Department offers resources related to traffic accidents, including how to report an accident and safety tips for drivers.
• National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides comprehensive information on vehicle safety, accident prevention, and consumer resources related to car accidents.