What to Do After a Car Accident in Phoenix that Was Not Your Fault?

December 23, 2021

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After a car accident in Phoenix that is not your fault, get legal help. Partner with a Phoenix car accident lawyer who can pursue compensation on your behalf. Your attorney can walk you through the steps to take following your accident to hold any liable parties accountable.

With help from car accident lawyers in Phoenix, you can boost your chances of securing maximum compensation from those responsible for your crash. Your attorney can explain the steps required to sue any at-fault parties. Plus, they can review your auto insurance policy, gather evidence, and take other measures to build your case. 

What to Do Right After a Car Accident that Wasn’t Your Fault? 

A personal injury lawyer in Phoenix will discuss the steps to take following your accident. They understand your vehicle damages and other losses and want you to pursue fair compensation from anyone who caused your accident to happen. As such, they will encourage you to take the following steps.

Receive Medical Help Immediately After a Car Accident in Phoenix that Was Not Your Fault 

Go to a doctor after your accident so they can diagnose and treat your injuries. In your case, the quality of your medical documentation matters. Your diagnosis should make it apparent what injuries you sustained.

Call the Police

Tell the police about your accident, and do not accept responsibility for the incident. Police officers will use the information you provide to prepare a report. Your police report can serve as evidence if you sue a liable party. 

Get the Other Driver’s Contact Information

Ask the other driver for their contact, insurance, and driver‘s license information. This is likely the only time you will be able to ask the motorist for this information in person. Make the most of this opportunity, and you can use the information you get to submit an insurance claim and pursue a settlement. 

Notify Your Insurance Company

Inform your auto insurer about your accident. This will open a claim and investigation, and your insurer can work with the other motorist’s insurance provider to determine who is liable for your accident. A personal injury attorney can assist you if the at-fault driver’s insurance won’t pay for your accident-related damages.

Continue to Treat Your Injuries

As both insurance companies evaluate your accident and injuries and figure out who should be held accountable, keep getting medical care. When you do, track your medical treatments and expenses. This gives you proof that highlights the severity of your injuries and can help you get fair compensation in a settlement or lawsuit. 

Do Not Speak to an At-Fault Party or Their Insurer

If a liable party or their insurance company contacts you, let your lawyer know. Either party could reach out in the hopes you will accept a lowball settlement. Rather than risk saying or doing something that could hurt your chances of collecting damages, authorize your attorney to discuss insurance details and other aspects of your case on your behalf.

Calculate Your Damages

Evaluate your economic and non-economic damages so you know how much your case is worth. Your lawyer will examine your losses carefully. They will help you prove you deserve compensation for your medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other quantifiable and subjective losses.

Gather Evidence

Collect accident scene photos and videos, statements from witnesses, and other proof. Your body of evidence makes a world of difference in proving a reckless driver was at fault for your accident. If you have a body of proof, the liable party could propose a settlement that covers all of your accident costs.  

Open Settlement Negotiations

To secure fair compensation, allow your lawyer to negotiate a settlement with an at–fault party or insurance adjuster. Ideally, the at-fault driver or their insurer understands you are not liable for your accident. Your attorney can discuss settlement terms with these parties and, if no agreement is reached, bring your case to trial. 

File a Lawsuit

Suing a liable party is a critical step to getting damages for your medical treatments and other losses. In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes (A.R.S.) § 12-542, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit after a car accident in Phoenix in which you are not at fault. Your lawyer can submit your lawsuit promptly.

Hiring a lawyer provides you with access to a legal advocate. Your attorney looks out for your best interests throughout your litigation. If you have concerns or questions at any point during your legal proceedings, your lawyer will address them. 

For a free legal consultation, call 866-499-8989

What Should You Do After a Car Accident in Phoenix that Was Not Your Fault in the Weeks and Months that Follow?

Communicate and collaborate with your lawyer about your injury claim. Your attorney wants you to treat your crash injuries. As you do, your lawyer looks for witnesses to testify on your behalf, gathers information about your income, and takes other steps to strengthen your argument.

Keep in mind that the legal process can be lengthy, and it takes time to resolve car accident cases. You may think that the accident was not your fault, but the key ingredient to a settlement is the evidence needed to prove it. Unless the other driver admits they are at fault, you should not expect a reasonable settlement right away.

With your accident claim, continue to monitor your pay stubs and income, get medical attention as needed, and focus on improving your quality of life. This helps you take care of your health and well-being and add to your body of proof. Meanwhile, if a liable party or their insurer offers a settlement, you and your lawyer can review it together.  

Should You Hire a Lawyer After a Car Accident in Phoenix that Was Not Your Fault?

Hiring a lawyer is paramount after a car accident that was not your fault. Personal injury attorneys represent clients’ best interests, ensuring these individuals receive legal services and support as they deal with the aftermath of auto accidents and similar incidents. Some of the things lawyers in car crash cases do for their clients include:

Reviewing a Police Report and Other Evidence

There are two sides to every car accident claim. Your lawyer commits the time and resources to learn about the event in detail and find out what happened. As part of their efforts, they will read a police report and examine other evidence to determine who is responsible.

Speaking with Witnesses

Witnesses can provide insights into weather conditions and other parts of the accident scene. Your attorney can ask for witness names and identify potential witnesses. Ultimately, you could get witness statements you can use in your case against an at-fault motorist. 

Discussing Your Case with an Auto Insurance Company

Arizona is an at-fault insurance state, and the other driver’s insurer could have to cover the costs to treat your bodily injuries and other losses if this motorist is responsible for your accident. Your lawyer understands the extent of the injuries in your case. They can help you get compensation for expenses to treat your ongoing injuries and other damages. 

Providing Legal Guidance and Support

Injury victims often have no idea what to do as they deal with painful injuries and similar issues after car accidents. For help with personal injury claims, a personal injury law firm has you covered. Your lawyer guides you through the legal process, helping you make informed decisions as your litigation progresses.

Figuring out what to do following a car accident in Phoenix that was not your fault can be tricky. With assistance from an auto crash lawyer, you are in good hands. Your lawyer can contest the other driver‘s claims against you and find ways to make it clear that this motorist is fully at fault for your accident. 

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Request Legal Help from Car Accident Lawyers Who Stand Up for Their Clients 

Another motorist is responsible for your car accident and says you are at fault. It is difficult to deal with this scenario on your own, and if you make a mistake, you may not recover any damages from the liable driver. Fortunately, auto accident lawyers are available to assist you.

Zanes Law can help you prove you are not at fault for your Phoenix car accident. Our lawyers have secured over $500 million in damages in personal injury lawsuits, and we will protect your legal rights as you pursue compensation from an at-fault driver. Schedule a consultation with our attorneys.

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