Find a Yuma Car Accident Attorney That Will Fight to Get You Paid.

Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Yuma

People who have been in a car crash in the Yuma area might be able to file a personal injury claim against the liable party and collect a settlement to cover their damages.

Many law firms offer free consultations to help you determine whether filing a claim is the right thing to do. A personal injury attorney may be able to help you get the compensation you deserve after a car accident.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident in Yuma, Arizona, you might be able to get compensated for medical bills and other damages.

By hiring a personal injury lawyer and filing a claim against the liable party, you could be awarded a settlement to reimburse you for the impacts of the accident.

To file a claim, there must have been negligence that led to the accident, and you cannot have been solely at fault for the crash.

Keep reading to learn more about how car accident claims work, and how accident victims can seek compensation with the help of an auto accident lawyer.

Plus, find out how you can get in touch with the best Yuma personal injury lawyers.

 

Legal Steps To Take After A Car Accident In Yuma, AZ

What you do in the days and weeks following an accident can make a big difference if you decide to file a personal injury claim.

To give yourself the best chance at a favorable settlement, follow the steps below after a Yuma car crash.

Gather Documentation

Before reaching out to a personal injury attorney, it is advisable to gather all documentation related to your accident and any involved drivers.

Some documents you should gather include:

• A copy of the police report, if applicable
• Medical bills related to injuries you sustained in the accident
• Your insurance information and that of any other involved drivers, if possible
• Eyewitness statements of what happened during the crash
• Photos of the accident scene
• Your own written account of the accident

An experienced attorney can help you to gather this information. But, to get the most out of a free initial consultation with an attorney, it is best to gather as much of it as possible before meeting with them.

Consult A Yuma Car Accident Lawyer

Once you have gathered information related to the accident, you should seek legal advice. Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side during a personal injury claim will give you a better chance at winning a favorable settlement.

Your legal team will handle all communications related to your case, acting as the middleman between you, the liable party, and anyone else involved in the claim. They will negotiate a settlement with the liable party until a favorable offer has been reached.

Consider Filing A Personal Injury Claim

Personal injury claims are similar to insurance claims. Your lawyer will help you file your claim, which involves notifying the liable insurance company or another liable party that you are asking them for a settlement for damages related to the accident.

Having quality legal representation is critical during a personal injury claim. Your lawyer will know what information to include on your claim to hold the liable party accountable and encourage them to offer a substantial settlement.

Know When To File A Car Accident Lawsuit

In rare cases, it might not be possible to agree on a favorable settlement offer with the liable party. In these cases, it may be necessary to file a lawsuit, which means that the case will move to court and a judge will decide on a settlement amount.

While it is rare to upgrade personal injury claims to lawsuits, it can happen — and if it does, you will be glad to have an experienced personal injury law firm on your side.

 

What Factors Affect Your Car Accident Claim In Yuma?

Several factors can affect a motorcycle accident, truck accident, or car accident case in Arizona. Some of the most notable factors include who caused the accident and which Arizona laws apply to the claim.

Determining The At-Fault Party

Determining fault in a car accident is not always straightforward. There may be disputes over who caused an accident, and there can also be multiple at-fault parties.

For example, if two vehicles collide at a four-way-stop intersection, but both drivers rolled through their stop signs, they might each be partially at fault for the accident.

An experienced lawyer can review your case and help determine fault.

Arizona Personal Injury Laws

Arizona has some unique laws which may impact your car accident claim. Two laws, in particular, that will impact your case are Arizona’s statute of limitations, and its consideration of negligence.

In Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, and elsewhere in Arizona, comparative negligence applies to all personal injury cases.

This means that people who were partially at fault in a car accident can still file a personal injury claim. The settlement amount will be adjusted based on the percentage of fault a driver had.

Another Arizona law, called the statute of limitations, states that you have two years to begin your car accident claim. If you wait longer than two years after the accident occurs, you may not be able to file a claim.

 

Who Can Be Held Liable For Car Accident Cases In Yuma, AZ?

Liability is different from fault. The liable party is the one who is legally responsible for paying damages to the claimant.

For a party to be liable, they must have acted in a negligent manner to cause the accident, or they must represent a party who acted with negligence.

For example, if a driver acts negligently by failing to check their mirrors before merging and they cause a crash, their liability insurance provider will be held liable for damages to injured parties.

Types Of Damages In Personal Injury Cases In Arizona

The damages that you cite on your personal injury claim are a reflection of the different ways that an accident has impacted your life.

Arizona damages can be broken down into three categories: economic and non-economic damages, and punitive damages.

Economic Damages

Economic damages are very straightforward. The goal of these is to reimburse the claimant for the direct financial impacts they have suffered due to their injuries.

Examples of economic damages include medical expenses, property damage, and lost wages due to being unable to work.

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages are less straightforward. These include things like pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of relationships — all effects that can come indirectly from being injured.

Even people who have not suffered major injuries might struggle with other effects from the accident, like post-traumatic stress disorder.

People who are seeking damages on behalf of the wrongful death of a family member may be struggling with emotional distress, which can be compensated via non-economic damages.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages cannot be sought in a personal injury claim. Instead, they are awarded by a court in rare cases to punish a negligent driver or other at-fault party.

 

What Car Accident Injuries Can Be Listed On A Claim?

No injury is too small or large to begin a car accident claim.

While more serious injuries generally result in higher settlement amounts, you should always consult a lawyer to help you determine whether filing a claim is the right thing to do.

Common injuries in Arizona car accidents that can lead to personal injury claims include:

• Whiplash
• Broken bones
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Other head and brain injuries
• Scarring or disfigurement
• Neck and back injuries
• Chest and shoulder injuries
• Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis
• Burn injuries
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal organ damage
• Fatalities

 

What Are Some Causes Of Car Accidents?

There are a wide range of factors that can contribute to car accidents. Most accidents are the result of the negligence of one or more drivers.

Some common causes for car accidents include:

• Driver impairment: Also called drunk driving or driving under the influence, this happens when a driver operates a vehicle after taking drugs or drinking.
• Driver error: Driver error leads to a lot of accidents. Errors include mistakes like speeding, failing to yield, failing to check mirrors, and more.
• Reckless driving: Reckless driving may include swerving in and out of traffic, tailgating, speeding, and other aggressive behaviors that puts a driver and others in harm’s way.
• Unpredictable road conditions: Improper signage, large potholes, and other dangerous conditions can result in motor vehicle accidents.
• Dangerous weather conditions: Wet, slick, or snow-covered roads, as well as reduced visibility, lead to a lot of accidents.

 

Common Car Accidents That Lead To Injuries In Yuma, AZ

Many different types of car accidents occur, and most of them fall into one of the categories below.

Common types of car accidents in Yuma include:

• Sideswipe collisions, which happen when one car swipes another from the side, often sending the other vehicle spinning.
• Broadside collisions, which happen when the front of one car collides with the side of another. These are often called “T-Bone” collisions and tend to occur at intersections.
• Multiple vehicle accidents: This term refers to any car accident that involves two or more cars.
• Rear-end collisions happen when one car crashes into the back of another car that is traveling in the same direction. The driver of the car in the rear is usually at fault in rear-end collisions.
• Hit-and-run accidents happen when a vehicle collides with something and the driver flees the scene.
• Head-on collisions occur when two vehicles traveling toward each other collide with their fronts. These are very dangerous crashes that have high fatality rates.

 

Auto Accident Rates In Yuma, AZ

Yuma County sees thousands of car accidents every year, resulting in hundreds of injuries.

The following car accident rates for Yuma County show how car crashes affect this area:

 

Find An Experienced Car Accident Attorney In Yuma Today

If you or a loved one has suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident in the Yuma area, you might be able to get a settlement from a personal injury claim.

LegalFinders can connect you to the top car accident attorneys in the Yuma area. We only work with law firms that have great accolades and high rates of success in their claims.

Contact LegalFinders today to be connected with top car accident attorneys in the Yuma area. Most attorneys offer free case evaluations.