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Car accidents are among the most common sources of serious injury and death in the United States. Despite their prevalence, no one ever expects to be in a motor vehicle collision. When it happens, the aftermath can be confusing and difficult to deal with both in the short and long term. Even minor injuries can bring escalating medical bills, financial difficulties, and inconvenience. When a serious injury or death is involved, it can completely turn your life upside down. If you or a loved one have been involved in a crash, the Mesa car accident attorneys at Stone Rose Law can help. Call us today for a free and confidential case evaluation. We are here to help.
In short, yes you need a car accident lawyer. Anyone who has been involved in an accident should speak to an attorney, even if they are unsure if they have a case. One of the single most important factors in the outcome of a car accident case is the lawyer that you hire to represent you. Your lawyer can protect your best interests and prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of you. Your lawyer can help you fully document the extent of your injuries, help you get the medical treatment that you need, and ensure that you are compensated for it. Your car accident attorney in Mesa will completely and thoroughly investigate all the facts of your case in order to determine the liability of the other driver(s) involved. This will include analyzing police reports, eyewitness statements, video and photo surveillance, vehicle “black box” data, cell phone records, and more.
Cases involving serious injuries and ongoing medical treatment can take a very long time. Your lawyer will keep you informed of the status of your claim and fight for a just settlement. If the other side refuses to deal with you fairly and fully compensate you for your losses, your attorney will take them to trial.
In Mesa, Arizona, there were over 5,400 car accidents in 2020 alone. Most car accidents occur as a result of negligence. In a legal sense, negligence can be more simply defined as a lack of care for those around you. When drivers get behind the wheel of a car, they owe other motorists a duty of care to operate their vehicle in a safe and careful manner. However, this does not always happen. When we investigate these cases, we often discover that the following negligent actions (and more) lead to severe injuries on the roadways:
It is important to understand that vehicle accident victims need to file a claim with their insurance carrier as soon as possible after the collision occurs. Failing to file a claim within a day or two could result in the insurance company delaying or denying the claim. However, dealing with an insurance company – even your own insurance company – can lead to setbacks as well. Insurance companies are notorious for using the information that you give them over the phone to devalue or deny claims. It is advised that you hire an attorney to deal with the insurance company on your behalf. You should also seek medical treatment as soon as possible, even if you are unsure if you are injured. Some injuries are not immediately visible but manifest themselves days or weeks later. These can include brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, and internal injuries, among others.
Additionally, accident victims need to be aware that there are time limits on filing a personal injury claim, known as the statute of limitations. In Arizona, the statute of limitations is set by ARS 12-542 and is generally two years from the date an injury occurs.
12-542. Injury to person; injury when death ensues; injury to property; conversion of property; forcible entry and forcible detainer; two year limitation
Except as provided in section 12-551 there shall be commenced and prosecuted within two years after the cause of action accrues, and not afterward, the following actions:
1. For injuries done to the person of another including causes of action for medical malpractice as defined in section 12-561.
2. For injuries done to the person of another when death ensues from such injuries, which action shall be considered as accruing at the death of the party injured.
3. For trespass for injury done to the estate or the property of another.
4. For taking or carrying away the goods and chattels of another.
5. For detaining the personal property of another and for converting such property to one’s own use.
6. For forcible entry or forcible detainer, which action shall be considered as accruing at the commencement of the forcible entry or detainer.
This means that, in most cases, car accident victims have a two-year window to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent party. If you fail to file a claim within that statutory window, a court will refuse to hear your case. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule such as claims against the government and injuries that you may not reasonably discover right away. What this law does underline, however, is how important speaking with an attorney is as soon as you are able to.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, you are not alone. The Mesa car accident attorneys at Stone Rose Law can help you recover compensation for your losses and allow you to move forward. Our attorneys have dedicated their professional lives to helping injured clients and have significant experience helping car accident victims throughout the state of Arizona.
We will investigate every aspect of your car accident and devise a plan to recover damages on your behalf. Let us work to secure coverage of your crash-related medical expenses, property damage losses, lost income, pain and suffering damages, and more. When you need a Mesa car accident attorney, you can contact us for a free consultation of your case by clicking here or calling 480-498-8998.