A sudden car crash can impact your life in many ways. If you suffered serious injuries, this may mean spending huge on medical bills. You are likely to miss out on work, and if you don’t report back within a reasonable time, you may even lose your job. For all residents of Arizona, knowing the car accident laws is important, so that they can take appropriate action in time. If you are unsure of how to deal with your circumstances despite knowing the laws, you may want to contact a Tucson auto accident attorney. Skilled accident attorneys know what it takes to recover compensation for their clients. In this post, we are answering top questions related to Arizona car accident laws.
- Who should you contact after an auto accident?
No matter whether your injuries are severe or minor, call 911 right away. Other passengers and drivers may need medical attention. Wait for the law enforcement to arrive at the scene. The police report is critical for your case ahead. The investigating officer will want to check all documents related to the vehicle and your insurance. The other important person that you must contact is an attorney. While you don’t have to hire a car accident lawyer by law, this could be the most important step of your case.
- What is the statute of limitations in Arizona?
The statute of limitations is a state law that specifies a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits after a car accident, against the at-fault party. In Arizona, the statute of limitations allows two years, to file such lawsuits. The same deadline also applies to wrongful death lawsuits, but the clock starts ticking from the date of death. Note that the statute of limitations doesn’t apply to insurance claims. You are required to inform your insurer within a reasonable time.
- What about comparative negligence?
Arizona is a “pure comparative fault” state. This means that a party can file for compensation and bring a lawsuit against the other driver at fault, even if they had a share of fault in the accident. However, their compensation will be reduced by their percentage of fault. Unlike states that follow the modified comparative fault rule, you can file a lawsuit in Arizona, even if your share of fault was more than 50%.
Talk to a reliable car accident lawyer in Tucson, to know how you can pursue the matter further.