Hire the Best Personal Injury Attorneys in Phoenix
If you or someone you love sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, pursuing a personal injury claim can be daunting.
In these situations, it’s crucial to have a team of reliable and experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyers by your side.
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we are committed to fighting for your rights.
Our team of dedicated Phoenix personal injury attorneys has the experience and resources to handle even the most complex personal injury matters.
You don’t need to go through the process alone; let our legal team help. Contact us online or call (575) 222-1000 today to get started with a free consultation.
Types of Phoenix Personal Injury Cases Our Firm Handles
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., our team focuses primarily on personal injury claims. Here are examples of some types of cases we handle:
- Car accidents. Motor vehicle accidents are among the most common personal injury claims we represent clients for. A number of factors can cause car accidents, including distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence.
- Truck accidents. Accidents involving large trucks often lead to severe injuries due to a truck’s size and weight. Driver fatigue, improper loading, and inadequate maintenance may be factors in these cases. We work to hold negligent parties accountable, which might mean pursuing a claim against a large trucking company.
- Motorcycle accidents. Accidents involving motorcycles often result from other drivers failing to notice them or making abrupt moves without signaling. Our attorneys understand the intricacies of motorcycle accidents and work to protect the rights of injured riders.
- Bicycle accidents. Bicyclists have equal rights on the road, yet they face significant risks. We represent bicyclists who’ve suffered injuries because of motorists failing to yield, making improper turns, or taking other negligent actions.
- Brain injuries. Brain injuries can have life-long consequences, affecting a victim’s cognitive, physical, and emotional well-being. Causes may range from slip and falls to vehicle collisions.
- Catastrophic injuries. Some injuries have lifelong consequences for your quality of life, requiring ongoing medical care and affecting your ability to work or even perform basic tasks around the house.
- Wrongful death. The loss of a loved one due to another party’s negligence is devastating. Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers offer compassionate representation, helping families pursue justice against all responsible parties.
This list is not exhaustive. If you suffered injuries in an accident not listed here, please get in touch with us to discuss your case.
Proving Liability in a Phoenix Personal Injury Claim
Establishing liability is required to collect any compensation in a personal injury claim. As the plaintiff, you must demonstrate that the defendant was responsible for the harm caused.
There are four elements of liability you must prove: duty of care, breach of duty, causation, and damages.
Duty of Care
The first step is to establish that the defendant owed you a duty of care. That means the defendant had a responsibility to act (or refrain from acting) in a certain way to prevent harm to others.
For instance, drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely to avoid causing harm to other motorists, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.
Breach of Duty
Once you establish the duty of care, the next element is proving that the defendant breached that duty. You must show that the defendant’s actions (or inactions) deviated from what a reasonably prudent person would do under similar circumstances.
For instance, if a driver was texting while driving and caused an accident, you can argue that they breached their duty of care by driving while distracted.
Causation
After proving a breach of duty, you must show a direct link between the accident and the injuries you sustained. It’s not enough to show that the defendant breached their duty. The breach must be directly related to your injuries.
Damages
To recover compensation, you must prove you suffered actual harm. This includes not only financial losses, but also the physical and emotional toll of the injury. These damages include the full impact of the accident on your life. Your lawyer will build a case that reflects everything you’ve lost.
What Compensation Is Available in a Phoenix Personal Injury Case?
In a personal injury claim, compensation is designed to make you whole again. While no amount of money can erase your pain or undo the harm done, it can help you move forward physically, emotionally, and financially.
Every case is unique, and the value depends on the facts. That’s why it’s important to speak with a qualified Phoenix personal injury attorney who can evaluate the full scope of your losses and fight for fair compensation.
Here are some types of damages you may be entitled to recover.
Medical Expenses
Medical bills are often one of the most immediate and overwhelming consequences of an injury.
Fortunately, a personal injury claim can help you recover compensation for both past and future medical care, including:
- Emergency room visits and ambulance transportation,
- Surgical procedures and hospital stays,
- Follow-up care,
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation,
- Prescription medications and medical equipment, and
- In-home care or long-term treatment.
Your attorney will gather and present documentation to prove the full extent of your medical costs. If your injuries require future treatment or ongoing care, we may also work with medical experts to estimate and support those future expenses.
Lost Wages and Future Earnings
If your injuries prevent you from working, even temporarily, you can pursue compensation for the income you’ve lost. This includes not only missed paychecks but also missed opportunities like promotions or bonuses.
In cases where your injury impacts your long-term earning potential, we can also help you seek damages for reduced earning capacity, especially if you’re no longer able to perform the same job or work the same number of hours.
Your lawyer may use pay stubs, employment records, and expert testimony to support these claims and demonstrate the financial toll the injury has had on your life.
Pain and Suffering
Pain and suffering damages account for the physical pain, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life that come with a serious injury. These damages are subjective and not easily calculated from receipts or invoices, but that doesn’t make them any less real.
To maximize these damages, a skilled personal injury attorney in Phoenix can utilize evidence such as therapy records, personal journals, and testimony from family members or medical professionals.
Property Damage
Damaged property, such as your vehicle or personal items, can also be included in your claim. The cost to repair or replace damaged belongings may be recovered as part of your overall settlement. This type of damage can be especially important in car, truck, or motorcycle accidents where repair bills are significant.
What Steps Should I Take After an Accident in Phoenix?
After an accident, your actions in the minutes, hours, and days that follow can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Even if you’re shaken up, following a few key steps can help preserve crucial evidence and protect your rights. Here’s what to do.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Always prioritize your health, even if you feel okay after the crash. Some injuries, like concussions or internal bleeding, might not show symptoms right away. Getting checked out by a doctor creates an official medical record, which will be essential for your injury claim.
Delaying care may not only worsen your condition but can also be used against you by insurance adjusters trying to minimize your claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you are physically able to do so, document the scene before anything is moved or cleared away. Use your phone to take wide shots and close-ups of the vehicles, skid marks, road signs, debris, and any visible injuries.
If weather, road conditions, or construction played a role, document that too. Visual evidence can provide powerful proof of fault and damages.
Get Contact Details of Persons Involved
Exchange information with the other driver(s), including name, address, phone number, driver’s license, license plate, and insurance details.
Also, ask for the contact information of any passengers or pedestrians who witnessed the crash. If the accident occurred near a business, ask for the store manager’s contact information in case security cameras recorded the incident.
Avoid Discussing Fault
Even a simple “I’m sorry” at the scene can be used against you later as evidence of fault. Avoid making statements about how the crash happened or who might be to blame. It’s natural to want to explain or help, but any speculation or offhand remark could be misconstrued by insurance companies or opposing attorneys.
Instead, keep your comments factual and brief. Exchange information, answer law enforcement questions clearly, and focus on safety and medical needs.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Report the accident to your insurer, but don’t provide a detailed statement until you’ve spoken with a personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to look for ways to minimize the amount they pay out. A lawyer can help you report the claim without saying something that could harm your case later.
Get a Copy of the Police Report
The police report provides an official record of the accident and often includes helpful details such as driver statements, citations issued, and the officer’s preliminary assessment of fault. Insurance companies and attorneys rely heavily on this document during claims and litigation.
You can typically request a copy of the report from the local law enforcement agency that responded to the crash, either online or in person.
Consult a Personal Injury Lawyer in Phoenix
Before dealing with insurance companies or signing anything, it’s in your best interest to speak with an experienced attorney. A lawyer can evaluate your case, help preserve evidence, calculate your damages, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf.
Why Hire a Phoenix Personal Injury Law Firm?
While you aren’t legally required to hire a personal injury lawyer in Arizona, there are multiple benefits.
Here are a few ways that a lawyer at Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. can help you during the personal injury claims process:
- Knowledge of Arizona law. Our attorneys understand Arizona’s personal injury statutes, case law, and court procedures. We know how to navigate the local court system efficiently and use the law to your advantage.
- Accurate valuation of your claim. Calculating the true value of your case goes far beyond adding up medical bills. We factor in lost income, future treatment costs, pain and suffering, and other long-term impacts to ensure you don’t settle for less than you deserve.
- Protection against insurance company tactics. Insurers often use delay tactics or pressure victims into quick, low settlements. We handle all communication with adjusters, protect you from manipulative questioning, and negotiate for a fair result.
- Trial-ready representation. If settlement negotiations fail, our lawyers are fully prepared to take your case to trial. We build each case from day one as though it will go before a jury to give you the strongest possible position.
- Access to experts and resources. Complex cases often require the expertise of medical professionals, accident reconstructionists, or economists to establish damages. Our firm has the resources and relationships to bring in the right experts to strengthen your claim.
- Peace of mind during a difficult time. After a serious injury, you shouldn’t have to worry about paperwork, deadlines, or aggressive insurance companies. We handle the legal burden so you can focus on healing and rebuilding your life.
When you hire a personal injury attorney from Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., you’re gaining a team that’s dedicated, experienced, and relentless about securing justice for you and your family.
FAQs
Here is more information about personal injury claims in Arizona.
Can I Still Recover If I Am Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Arizona operates under the principle of pure comparative negligence. That means if you are partially at fault for an accident, you aren’t barred from financial recovery.
Instead, your percentage of fault will reduce your overall compensation. Arizona law allows you to recover compensation even if you are 99% at fault for the accident. However, you would only receive one percent of your overall damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
When it comes to filing a lawsuit for a personal injury claim, you typically have two years from the accident date in most cases. This deadline is called the statute of limitations.
Filing a lawsuit within the deadline is crucial. Otherwise, the court will likely dismiss your case, meaning you have no legal right to pursue compensation.
How Much Will I Get for My Personal Injury Case?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The value of your personal injury case depends on several factors, including the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, how much work you missed, and how the injury has impacted your daily life. Serious, long-term injuries generally result in higher compensation than minor, temporary ones.
Your lawyer will calculate your damages to estimate your potential recovery. No attorney can promise a specific outcome, but an experienced firm like Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. can give you a realistic idea based on the facts of your case.
What If the Insurance Company Already Offered Me a Settlement?
You are not obligated to accept the first offer, and in many cases, you shouldn’t. Insurance companies often make quick, lowball settlement offers in hopes of closing a case before the full impact of your injuries is known. Once you accept, you usually give up the right to pursue further compensation. A personal injury lawyer can assess the offer, compare it to the actual value of your damages, and negotiate for a higher amount if needed.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer?
At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case.
This structure enables injury victims to access high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation, with no risk of incurring out-of-pocket legal bills.
Contact Our Phoenix Personal Injury Attorneys
Choosing the right legal representation can make all the difference in a personal injury claim. At Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C., we are committed to standing by our clients.
We recognize the gravity of the challenges you might be facing after an accident, including mounting medical bills, the agony of recovery, lost income, and perhaps the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one.
Our mission goes beyond mere legal representation; it’s about seeking justice for those grappling with life’s harshest moments. With a team that seamlessly blends competence with compassion, you’re hiring legal advocates who genuinely care.
If you or a loved one suffered injuries due to another party’s negligence, contact Tawney, Acosta & Chaparro P.C. online or call (575) 222-1000 today to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.