Expert Auto Accident Lawyer & Car Injury Attorneys

In Phoenix, you have a limited period of time during which you can file your compensation claims against the relevant defendants. According to Arizona Statute Section 12-542 , motorists who suffered a personal injury in a auto accident only have two years to file a claim. As such, it is critical that you consult with a qualified auto accident lawyer. If you’ve been involved in a car crash as soon as possible.

Best Auto Accident Lawyers in Phoenix, AZ | Hirsch Talcott

Many first-time auto accident clients do not quite understand the need for a Phoenix injury lawyer or the enormous value of a auto accident lawyer at an early stage of their dispute.  Accident lawyers serve many roles and can perform a variety of critical functions on behalf of the plaintiff, including:

• Claims evaluation
• Facts investigation
• Gathering evidence
• Mediating interactions with the insurer and opposing counsel
• Filing claims in a timely manner (before the statute of limitations deadline)
• Negotiating a potential settlement
• Litigating the claim

At Hirsch Talcott, our top auto accident attorneys are dedicated to our clients and committed to litigation on their behalf. Our team of Phoenix auto accident lawyers is not only experienced but has a track record of success. Obtaining compensation for injuries for our clients with over $100M in damages recovered for our clients and their families. To schedule a free consultation with one of our accident lawyers, call today. We handle cases throughout Arizona and are available for assistance 7 days a week.

What Damages are Available in Auto Accident Claims?

Compensatory Damages

Compensatory damages are meant to cover the losses suffered by the injured plaintiff so that they can be returned to a position that closely approximates their status prior to the auto accident at issue.  Damages may include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Medical expenses
• Wage loss
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Property loss
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Humiliation
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• And more

There is no limit to compensatory damages in Arizona. Thus, consulting with a Phoenix car accident lawyer will benefit you. Often reveal a much higher compensation total than what the insurance company offered.

Punitive Damages

Punitive damages are awarded with the intention of punishing defendants and discouraging similar “bad behavior” in society.  In Arizona, according to personal injury law punitive damages can multiply the total compensatory damages by up to nine times, thus leading to significant recoveries that many people believe lead to an unfair windfall of funds.

Though punitive damages are only rarely awarded, it is worth pursuing when circumstances allow.  Generally, punitive damages will only be available in auto accident cases where the defendant’s behavior is willful, malicious, or particularly egregious.  If a defendant is angered in a fit of “road rage” and intentionally collides with your vehicle, for example, then you might be able to persuade the court to award punitive damages.  Drunk driving accidents may also give rise to punitive damages, depending on the level of reckless disregard showcased under the circumstances.

Suing Multiple Defendants for Damages in Car Wrecks with a Auto Accident Lawyer

Call today for an auto accident attorney in Arizona.

Auto accidents often involve multiple vehicles, and as such, an injured plaintiff may have multiple different claims against a variety of defendants.  A Phoenix auto accident lawsuit in Arizona applies several liabilities, but not joint liability.  Put simply, the court will evaluate the Phoenix auto accident law and each defendant’s fault contribution and will impose damage liability in proportion to the assigned fault.  This can complicate and delay a case somewhat, as defendants might argue that others are “more” at-fault.

Employer Liability

If you have been injured in a auto accident where the driver is an employee, and was operating their vehicle within the course and scope of their employment, then you may have an actionable claim in Arizona against the employer.

Bringing a personal injury lawsuit against the employer is an effective strategy for securing full and adequate damages from a liable party that typically has “deeper pockets.”  Compared to an employee, an employer likely has more significant insurance coverage and assets to cover your losses.

Vicarious Liability

The doctrine of vicarious liability automatically imposes liability on the employer for the negligence of their employee. So long as the employee was acting within the course and scope of their employment.  Vicarious liability operates on strict liability principles, and as such, it is not necessary to show that the employer was negligent in any way.

For example, if a delivery driver was speeding while delivering pizzas, and they collide with your vehicle, then you might have an actionable claim against their pizzeria employer under vicarious liability.

Independent Negligence

In some cases, the employer may be held independently liable, such as auto accident scenarios where the driver-employee was negligently hired.  For example, suppose that you are injured in a auto accident with a pizza delivery driver.  You further investigate the situation and discover that the driver has a suspended license and a poor driving record overall — the employer was aware of these issues, but chose to hire the driver anyway.  Given those facts, you would likely have a persuasive argument for damages pursuant to a negligent hiring claim against the employer.

Arizona Comparative Fault Laws: How a Phoenix Auto Accident Lawyer Can Assess Your Right to Compensation

Arizona implements the doctrine of pure comparative fault — otherwise known as pure comparative negligence . According to our Auto Accident Lawyer, you need to prepare for what is a pure comparative fault, and how does it affect a plaintiff’s accident and injuries claims?

In Arizona , pure comparative fault is a means by which the court can allocate liability among multiple parties, including the plaintiff. Many cases are complicated by various factors, and do not implicate just one party — in fact, multiple parties may each have contributed to the severity of the Arizona auto accident issue by engaging in negligent behavior. Each faulty party will be assigned a portion of the total fault.

Pure comparative fault

The concept of “pure comparative fault” can be confusing without some additional context. Let’s walk through a quick example for clarification.

Suppose that you are injured in an accident on the highway. The defendant-driver was driving while distracted, and was talking on their mobile phone at the time — their negligence led to a collision with you on the highway. The facts reveal that you might be partly to blame as well because at the time of the collision, you were speeding. Had you not been speeding, you may have been able to brake or turn in time to avoid a collision with the defendant driver.

Application of Arizona pure comparative fault will require that the court assess each party’s respective fault contribution. Our Arizona Car Accident Attorneys will provide you with expert representation. Ultimately, the court may find that the defendant was largely to blame for the accident. The court may — after presentation of the facts — determine that the defendant was 80% responsible, and that you were 20% responsible. Under a pure comparative fault system, the fact that you contributed to your injuries does not prohibit you from recovering damages. Instead, your damage recovery will simply be reduced to match the actual liabilities. Here, if your claim was worth $500,000 in total, you would only be entitled to recover $400,000.

Settlement Offer

Many people who are involved in auto collisions tend to opt for an insurance settlement without questioning the payout or how much money they are actually entitled to. Sure, we can understand that. No one wants to drag on a traumatic event any longer than necessary. Unfortunately, settling for an insurance payout can leave victims high and dry.

The insurance adjuster of insurance companies are looking after their own interests. They don’t want to lose any more money than they have to. As a result, they may reach out to victims directly and offer a settlement. Upon first glance, the offer may seem generous. Insurance providers may even try to put a time limit on the settlement offer, so victims feel rushed to settle or risk not getting any compensation at all. Tempting as it may be, we urge victims to speak to top auto accident lawyers prior to making a decision.

Handling auto claims

A Phoenix auto accident lawyer with experience handling automobile accident claims will take every piece of evidence into account. They will evaluate the accident, what caused the crash, the extent of the victim’s injuries and property damage, potential loss of wages, short and long-term financial costs, as well as the settlement offer itself. Many times, these settlements are low-balled. By working with a knowledgeable top car accident lawyer, victims stand an exponentially higher chance of recovering thousands – or even millions – more than the car insurance company was willing to offer.

Aside from settlement issues, motor vehicle accident victims can often find themselves in a lengthy and difficult dispute with insurance companies. From appraisals to delaying payment for repairs, going up against auto insurance providers can be an uphill battle.

A Phoenix car accident lawyer can help crash victims in the event that a dispute arises with an insurance company. Whether the issue involves the victim’s own insurer or that of the at-fault driver, an attorney who has experience with insurance claims can help negotiate a better – and oftentimes faster – solution.

Top Factors Contributing to Auto Accidents in Arizona

Several factors can contribute to a car crash. Although some auto collisions occur due to unforeseen circumstances, such as hazardous weather conditions, the vast majority are caused by another person’s negligence. Negligence can take on many forms. It can mean a motorist failing to abide by proper roadway safety standards , an auto manufacturer failing to properly test vehicle parts for defects, or even a ride-sharing company like Uber or Lyft failing to thoroughly vet their drivers for experience.

The most common factors according to an auto accident attorney that can lead to auto accidents in Phoenix include, but are not necessarily limited to:

• Intoxication (DUI) 
• Speeding
• Driving while exhausted or fatigued
• Unlicensed driving
• Distracted driving
• Tailgating
• Failure to yield
• Failure to stop
• Improper lane changes
• Failure to inspect the vehicle
• Improper cargo loading
• Car defects
• Road hazards, including debris and roadway defects
• Loading or Unloading a Vehicle
• And more

Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in their 2023 Crash Facts Summary: ​Arizona Department of Transportation

Phoenix Auto Accident Statistics (2023)

• Total Crashes in Phoenix: 36,927
• Fatal Crashes: 298
• Injury Crashes: 10,315

Arizona Auto Accident Statistics (2023)

• Total Crashes: 122,247
• Fatal Crashes: 1,307
• Injury Crashes: 20,682

Fewer pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities occurred in 2023. Pedestrian fatalities fell by 12.3% and bicyclist fatalities were 10.2% lower than in 2022. Despite these improvements, the 1,307 traffic fatalities in 2023 is the second-highest annual fatality total ever recorded in Arizona and only slightly behind the 1,320 deaths recorded in 2022.

These figures indicate that Phoenix accounted for approximately 30% of all traffic fatalities in Arizona for 2023. ​Arizona Department of Transportation

Leading Contributing Factors

• Speeding: Involved in 34.1% of fatal crashes statewide.
• Alcohol Impairment: Contributed to 25.4% of all traffic fatalities.
• Failure to Use Safety Devices: Accounted for 361 fatalities, representing 27.6% of all traffic deaths.​Arizona Department of Transportation

These statistics underscore the significant impact of driver behavior on road safety. ​AZ Crash Facts
For a comprehensive overview, you can access the full ADOT 2023 Crash Facts Summary here: Arizona Department of Transportation.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 40,901 traffic fatalities in 2023, marking a 4.3% decrease from 42,721 in 2022. ​NHTSA
Preliminary estimates for the first half of 2024 indicate a continued decline in traffic fatalities, with a 3.2% decrease compared to the same period in 2023. ​North American Community Hub

For the most current and detailed statistics, including data for 2024 and forthcoming 2025 figures, you can visit the NHTSA’s official website: NHTSA

How Our Experienced Attorneys Help Auto Accident Victims

Damages Recovered for accident victim by car accident lawyers

A car crash involves a lot more than just the collision itself and an insurance claim. In a perfect world, the at-fault driver would willingly stop after an accident. Ensure everyone involved in the crash was safe, exchange insurance information with the parties involved, and take responsibility for their actions. Unfortunately, this scenario doesn’t always happen.

Many times, drivers leave the accident scene, do not have auto insurance. Worst of all – try to avoid liability for any damage to the victim’s property or serious injuries suffered. Victims are then left to fend for themselves.

Phoenix Auto Accident expenses out of pocket

They either take out a claim against their own insurance policy (which may not always cover the full extent of the damages or medical bills) or are left with no choice but to pay for accident expenses out of pocket. An accident that wasn’t even their fault. While these situations are common, car crash victims need to know they are not alone. Legal help IS available. That’s where an experienced Phoenix auto accident lawyer can step in and make all the difference.

The auto accident lawyers at Hirsch Talcott have over 60 years of combined experience successfully representing injured auto victims . We know you are already dealing with the pain of your personal injuries. And the costs of fixing your car, bicycle, or motorcycle accident . The last thing you need is to struggle with the burden of filing a claim. Or figuring out how you will pay for medical bills or property repairs. Our Phoenix car accident attorneys take care of all the technical details after your accident. We contact insurance companies, file your paperwork, and investigate the scene of the accident. We even help you obtain medical care for your injuries.

Injured in an Auto Accident? Contact our Auto Accident Lawyer Today.

Hirsch Talcott Law Firm is focused entirely on getting justice , compensation and providing top-tier legal advocacy for personal injury victims. Our auto accident attorneys have over 65 years of combined personal injury cases experience. With a long track record of success in obtaining favorable results for clients, whether through settlement negotiations or at trial.

At the Hirsch Talcott Accident Law Firm, we understand that client engagement is crucial to success. Our staff is available 24/7 to respond to any questions or concerns you may have. For your convenience, we are also available to make hospital and home appointments. As we are confident in our ability to serve our clients, our Phoenix injury lawyers provide legal services at a discounted rate (our contingency fee is 25%, and up to 30% if the case proceeds to trial, plus costs). When you win through Hirsch Talcott, you keep more of the compensation for yourself!

Call to set up a free consultation with a top Phoenix auto accident lawyer today. Our legal team will assess your claims with a free case review and help you navigate the challenging litigation landscape.