Arizona Car Accident Lawyer

A car accident in Arizona can leave you with serious injuries, costly medical bills, and a complicated fight with insurance providers that are more focused on minimizing payouts than helping you recover. You shouldn’t have to navigate this alone. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we take on the legal battle so you can focus on healing.

Our Arizona car accident lawyers have spent over 20 years fighting for accident victims, securing over $1.7 billion in compensation. We know insurance companies’ tactics, and we won’t let them undervalue your claim. Whether you’re dealing with medical expenses, lost wages, vehicle repairs, or long-term suffering, we fight to maximize every dollar you’re entitled to.

Call us now at (213) 927-3700 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation. There are no upfront fees, and you only pay if we win your case.

Why Choose West Coast Trial Lawyers for Your Personal Injury Claim?

Choosing the right lawyer isn’t just about experience—it’s about having a team that truly fights for you. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we have secured close to 2 billion for our clients and are committed to getting you the maximum compensation possible.

• We Know Arizona Roads and Traffic Laws – Whether your accident happened on I-10, the Loop 101, or a busy Phoenix intersection, we understand Arizona’s driving laws, accident hotspots, and the challenges of proving fault. This local knowledge helps us build strong cases and hold negligent drivers accountable.
• Insurance Companies Will Try to Pay You Less – Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims for as little as possible, often offering quick payouts that don’t fully cover medical bills, lost wages, or long-term care. We know their tactics and fight to ensure you get the compensation you deserve.
• We Prepare Every Case for Trial – Some law firms rush to settle cases quickly to avoid the courtroom. We take the opposite approach, preparing every case as if it’s going to trial. This gives us leverage in negotiations and ensures that you receive the best possible outcome.
• No Upfront Costs, No Hidden Fees – We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you don’t owe us anything unless we win your case. There are no financial risks, no hidden fees—just results.

After a serious car accident, you deserve more than just legal help—you deserve a team that is truly committed to your recovery. Let us handle the fight while you focus on healing.

Do I Need an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer?

After a car crash, you might wonder whether hiring a lawyer is necessary. Legally, you don’t have to, but handling an insurance claim or legal case on your own can be difficult—especially when insurance companies focus on minimizing payouts rather than helping you recover.

If your accident was minor, with no injuries and clear fault, you may be able to settle the claim yourself. However, in cases involving injuries, disputed liability, or complex insurance negotiations, having an experienced lawyer can make a real difference. Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims for as little as possible, often offering quick payouts that don’t fully cover long-term medical expenses, lost pay, or pain and suffering. Without legal guidance, many accident victims end up accepting far less than they deserve or unknowingly saying something that harms their claim.

A car accident attorney can step in to gather evidence, handle negotiations, and ensure your claim is taken seriously. Studies show that those with legal representation tend to recover higher settlements because attorneys know how to prove damages and push back against unfair offers. If a case requires litigation, an attorney can take it to court and fight for fair compensation.

Hiring a lawyer isn’t about making the process more complicated—it’s about making sure you don’t walk away with less than you need to recover and move forward. For example speaking with a Phoenix car accident attorney early on can help you understand your options and avoid mistakes that could weaken your case.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Arizona

A car accident in Arizona can be devastating —leaving you rattled and unsure what’s next. The steps you take right after can shape your recovery. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we’ve represented countless clients injured from motor-vehicle crashes—here’s how to handle it.

• Get Medical Help Fast
  Don’t wait—see a doctor, even if you think you’re okay. Hidden injuries like whiplash or internal bleeding can creep up later, and a medical check locks in proof of what the crash did to you. Your health’s the priority.
• Call the Cops
  Dial 911 and get Arizona police on the scene. Their report—detailing skid marks, damage, who said what—cuts through the “he said, she said” when insurers start pointing fingers. It’s your foundation, so don’t skip it.
• Grab the Details
  Swap info with the other driver—name, number, license, insurance, all of it. Gather witnesses’ contacts too, and if you can, snap photos of the wreck: cars, road, injuries.
• Stick to the Doctor’s Plan
  Follow every order—meds, therapy, whatever they say. Disregarding doctors can be a detriment to your health and gives the other side a cheap shot at your claim. Keep every visit, every bill, every note.

Cost of Hiring an Arizona Car Accident Lawyer

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we believe you shouldn’t pay a dime to fight for what’s yours—unless we win. Like most Arizona personal injury firms, we work on a contingency fee basis: you only pay when we secure your compensation. If we don’t deliver, you owe us nothing—no risk, no upfront costs. Our fee comes from the settlement we recover, covering expenses like court filings or expert testimony, so you’re not stuck with out-of-pocket bills. This structure lets you focus on healing, not finances, while we handle the heavy lifting

Types of Compensation Available for Car Accident Victims

A car accident can take a lot from you—your car, your health, your peace of mind. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, our Arizona car accident lawyers fight to get it all back, chasing every dollar you’re owed. Compensation splits into two buckets: economic damages for the hard costs and non-economic damages for the emotional toll.

Here’s what you can claim—and why it matters.

Economic Damages

This is the tangible: wrecked car repairs or replacement, medical bills piling up from ER visits to therapy, and wages you’re losing while you’re off work. Can’t get back to your job long-term? Future earnings are on the table too. Throw in rehab costs—physical therapy, whatever it takes to mend—and it’s clear: these numbers add up fast, and you shouldn’t face them alone.

Non-Economic Damages

Then there’s the damages no receipt can measure. Pain and suffering—that ache that won’t quit or the sleepless nights—counts. Emotional distress, like the anxiety that rides shotgun now, counts too. If the crash stole closeness with your spouse or family, that’s loss of consortium, and it’s real. Punitive damages? That’s rare, but when the other guy’s reckless—like a drunk driver—we push to make them pay extra, not just to cover you, but to make an example.

Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Car Accident

After a serious vehicle accident in Arizona, insurance companies aren’t your friends—they’re players in a game to pay you as little as possible. At WCTL, we’ve seen it all: the other driver’s insurer fishing for slip-ups, your own provider dragging their feet. Here’s how to handle them—and why you need us in your corner.

Watch what you say to the other side’s adjuster—one wrong word, and they’ll twist your words to tank your claim. Tell your own insurer fast; Arizona law (ARS §20-259.01) gives them 30 days to respond once you report it, so don’t let them stall.

They’re not the most generous group—they’ll nitpick your policy, downplay your wreck, and push a lowball settlement to dodge a courtroom. Most cases settle because trials are a pain, but insurers bet on you caving early.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Arizona

Auto accidents in Arizona aren’t random—they follow patterns we at West Coast Trial Lawyers know inside out. From distracted drivers to crumbling roads, these crashes stem from preventable failures that leave victims paying the price. Understanding the culprits can strengthen your case—here’s what’s driving the chaos on Arizona’s highways.

Distracted Driving

Eyes off the road—texting, eating, fiddling with the radio—spells trouble. Arizona’s seen a spike in these wrecks; hands-free laws (ARS §28-914) try to curb it, but too many still gamble with your safety.

Driving Under the Influence

DUI clouds judgment and slows reflexes, turning a quick drive into a deadly one. Arizona’s strict on this—over 28,000 arrests in 2023 alone, per state records—and every one’s a risk you didn’t sign up for.

Drowsy Driving

Falling asleep at the wheel mimics drunk driving: decisions lag, reactions fade. Exhausted drivers on I-10 or Route 66 don’t just nod off—they crash, and you’re left in the wreckage.

Reckless Driving

Swerving lanes, tailgating, blowing through stops—reckless moves rack up collisions. Arizona’s highways see this daily, and one bad call can flip your life upside down.

Vehicle Defects

Brakes fail, tires blow—when cars aren’t maintained, you’re the one who suffers. A defect’s not your fault, but it’s your fight if the manufacturer skimped on safety.

Poor Road Conditions

Missing signs, potholes, faded lines—Arizona’s roads aren’t always kind. State and local crews owe you better; when they don’t deliver, we hold them accountable.

Failure to Yield

Not giving way causes thousands of Arizona crashes yearly—intersections turn into traps when drivers ignore the rules. It’s sloppy, and it’s on them.

Speeding

Flooring it cuts reaction time and amps up damage. Arizona’s speed cams catch plenty, but too many still race through, leaving twisted metal and bigger bills.

Proving Fault in an Arizona Car Accident Case

At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we navigate Arizona’s at-fault system to hold the right driver accountable for your damages—medical expenses, wrecked cars, lost income. Here’s how fault works, what it takes to prove it, and what it means for your case.

How Fault is Established

Arizona’s an at-fault state: the driver who caused the crash covers the costs. That hinges on negligence—did they blow a red light, tailgate, or break a rule like Arizona’s texting ban (ARS §28-914)? 

A ticket or citation seals the deal fast, but even without one, we pile on evidence: police reports nailing down the scene, witness accounts calling it like they saw it, dashcam or traffic video showing the truth. Skid marks, car damage, where the vehicles landed—all get dissected from the accident scene, sometimes with an accident reconstruction expert to settle disputes. We don’t guess who’s at fault; we prove it.

What If I Share Some Fault for the Accident?

Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law (ARS §12-2506) means you’re not out of luck if you’re partly to blame. Say you drifted lanes but the other guy was speeding—you might be 30% at fault, they’re 70%. Your payout drops by your share, so a $10,000 award becomes $7,000. Even if you’re 99% responsible, you can still claim that 1%—Arizona doesn’t cut you off like some states do. We dig into every angle to keep your fault low and your compensation high—because every percentage counts

Will My Car Accident Case Go to Court?

Most Arizona car accident cases settle out of court—negotiations with insurers or defense lawyers usually get it done. We push hard early, armed with evidence and a clear picture of your injuries: broken bones, rehab costs, or weeks off work. Simple fender-benders wrap up fast; messy wrecks with big damages or stubborn insurance companies drag longer—sometimes six months, sometimes a year. If they won’t budge, we file suit and take it to trial, laying out the crash story with witnesses and experts. Court’s rare, but we’re ready—trial prep gives us leverage to squeeze out every dollar you deserve

How Long Do I Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Arizona?

In Arizona, you’ve got two years to file a car accident claim—starting the day the crash happens—under the state’s statute of limitations (ARS §12-542). Miss that window, and your shot at compensation for medical bills, lost wages, or pain is considered abandoned. The same two-year clock applies to wrongful death lawsuits if a car accident takes a loved one’s life.

Time is of the essence, and insurance companies won’t remind you—they’ll just wait you out. Contact a lawyer in Arizona, whether it be a Phoenix car accident lawyer from West Coast Trial Lawyers or any legal representation. We move fast to lock in your claim and fight for what you’re owed.

Free Consultation With an Experienced Arizona Car Accident Lawyer

A serious car accident can upend your life, but you don’t have to face the fallout alone. At West Coast Trial Lawyers, we turn your Arizona car accident into a fight we’re built to win—securing the compensation you need for medical bills, lost wages, and the toll it’s taken.

With our proven expertise and relentless advocacy, we stand up to insurance companies and at-fault drivers, ensuring your rights aren’t trampled. Speak to an expert Arizona car accident lawyer today!

Call us now at (213) 927-3700 or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.