After a serious crash, the road to recovery can feel physically, emotionally, and financially overwhelming.
Between medical bills, lost wages, and insurance companies pushing lowball offers, it’s easy to feel stuck.
That’s where experienced Phoenix car accident lawyers make a difference.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., our Phoenix-area team possesses the skill, tenacity, and courtroom experience that injured drivers need. We know that when someone’s negligence injures you, you shouldn’t have to face the legal battle alone.
This article will explain why hiring a local Phoenix auto accident attorney is vital, what compensation is recoverable, and how to prove your car accident claim.
For a free, no-obligation consultation, please contact us online or call (575) 222-1000 today.
Why Hiring an Accident Attorney Matters
After a crash, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by paperwork, phone calls, and pressure from insurance adjusters. While you focus on recovering from your injuries, a car accident attorney can step in to protect your interests, guide you through the legal process, and fight to make sure you’re treated fairly. Here’s what an experienced lawyer can do for you.
Shield You from Insurance Company Tactics
Insurance companies aren’t on your side, no matter how friendly their adjusters sound. Their goal is to pay as little as possible, and they often use delay tactics, lowball offers, or twist your words to devalue your claim.
A skilled attorney knows how to push back and prevent you from being taken advantage of. That protection can make the difference between a rushed settlement and the payout you actually need.
Help You Understand the True Value of Your Claim
Without legal guidance, you might not realize how much your case is really worth. A Phoenix car accident attorney can assess your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, future care needs, and more. They’ll make sure you don’t overlook damages you’re entitled to.
Handle the Legal Work While You Focus on Recovery
Filing a personal injury claim in Arizona involves deadlines, legal forms, evidence collection, and knowing which laws apply to your case. Your lawyer handles the logistics, allowing you to focus on rest and rehabilitation.
They’re Ready to Go to Trial If Needed
While many accident cases settle out of court, some require litigation to fully compensate the victim. You need an attorney who isn’t afraid to present your case in front of a jury when negotiations fail. At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we prepare every case with trial in mind from day one. That preparation sends a message to the other side: we’re not backing down.
What Compensation Might Be Available After a Car Accident?
Car accidents can result in a wide range of losses. If someone else caused the crash, Arizona law allows you to pursue compensation that reflects the full impact of your injuries.
Depending on your situation, here are some types of damages you may be entitled to:
- Medical expenses. These damages include emergency care, hospital stays, follow-up visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, and any future treatment your injuries may require.
- Lost wages. If your injuries prevent you from working temporarily, you may recover the income you missed during your recovery period.
- Reduced earning capacity. When your injuries impact your long-term ability to earn a living, you may be compensated for the difference between what you could earn before the accident and what you’re able to gain now.
- Property damage. This damage includes repairs to your vehicle or the fair market value of your car if it was totaled, along with any other damaged property like electronics or personal items.
- Pain and suffering. You may be eligible for compensation for the physical pain and emotional suffering you experienced as a result of the accident and the subsequent recovery process.
- Emotional distress. This damage refers to the mental impact of the crash, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress, that affects your daily life.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. If your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, activities, or parts of your life you once enjoyed, that loss may be compensable.
Each personal injury case is different, and the value of your compensation depends on your unique circumstances. The skilled Phoenix car accident lawyers at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. can review the details, assess all available damages, and ensure that no category is overlooked.
How Do I Prove My Car Accident?
To recover compensation after a car accident, you must prove that another party was legally at fault.
Most car accident cases rely on negligence, which has four key legal elements:
- Duty of care—the other driver had a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws;
- Breach of duty—they failed to uphold that duty, such as by speeding, texting while driving, driving while impaired, or engaging in other reckless behavior;
- Causation—the breach directly caused the accident and your resulting injuries; and
- Damages—you suffered losses because of the accident.
To prove these elements, your attorney will gather critical evidence, such as:
- Police reports,
- Witness statements,
- Traffic camera footage,
- Dashcam videos,
- Photographs from the scene,
- Cell phone records,
- Vehicle damage assessments, and
- Expert testimony.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we understand the importance of building a strong, fact-based case from the ground up. Our team works quickly and thoroughly to preserve key evidence and protect your right to recover.
How Long Do I Have to Bring a Car Accident Claim?
In Arizona, you have two years from the date of the crash to file a car accident lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and it applies whether you’re pursuing compensation for injuries, vehicle damage, or other losses.
That might sound like plenty of time, but it goes faster than most people realize, especially when you’re recovering from serious injuries or trying to negotiate with insurance companies. If you miss the deadline, the court will likely dismiss your case, no matter how valid your claim may be.
To avoid that risk, it’s smart to speak with an attorney as soon as possible after the crash. A Phoenix car accident lawyer can help you stay on track and move your case forward without delay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Read on for answers to common car accident questions we receive.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Phoenix Auto Accident Attorney?
Most Phoenix car accident lawyers, including those at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing up front, and the attorney only collects a fee if they win your case. The fee is typically a percentage of your settlement or court award.
This arrangement allows accident victims to access legal representation without financial strain.
How Long Will My Case Take to Settle?
The timeline can vary significantly because every car accident case is unique.
Factors that affect the time include:
- Negotiations with the insurance company,
- Fault disputes,
- Complexity of evidence, and
- Duration of medical treatment.
Some claims settle within a matter of months, while others, especially those involving serious injuries or contested liability, can take over a year to resolve.
What If I Was Partly at Fault for the Crash?
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system. Even if you were partially at fault for the crash, you can still recover damages. However, your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if you were 30% responsible and your damages totaled $100,000, you could still receive $70,000. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to reduce payouts, which is why having a knowledgeable attorney can make a big difference. Your lawyer will work to minimize any assigned fault and protect your right to recover.
What Types of Auto Accidents Do Attorneys Handle?
Phoenix car accident lawyers handle a wide variety of motor vehicle collisions, including:
- Rear-end accidents,
- Head-on crashes,
- T-bone collisions,
- Rollover accidents, and
- Multi-vehicle pileups.
They also regularly represent victims of crashes involving motorcycles, pedestrians, bicycles, commercial trucks, and rideshare vehicles, such as Uber and Lyft. Whether the accident was caused by a distracted driver, a drunk driver, or a defective vehicle part, experienced attorneys know how to investigate and build a strong case.
Get the Legal Support You Deserve After a Phoenix Car Accident
When your life has been turned upside down by a car crash, the last thing you should have to face is a complicated legal process on your own. Medical bills, insurance calls, lost wages, and physical pain are overwhelming. At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we understand that this isn’t just a case. It’s your future.
Our Phoenix car accident lawyers are recognized for taking on insurance companies directly and building robust cases that demand accountability. Our award-winning attorneys fight for people. We know what’s at stake, and we treat every case with the urgency, care, and respect it deserves.
Let us guide you forward with experienced representation, honest advice, and a team that’s in your corner. If you’ve been injured in a car accident and need answers, we’re ready to help.
Contact us online or call (575) 222-1000 today for a free consultation and talk directly with a team that will fight for justice.