The Legal Representation
You Need.

Surprise Car Accident Lawyer

For an incident that puts the brakes on your life, car accidents in Arizona are astoundingly common. In 2021, The Arizona Department of Transportation received reports on over 100,000 multi-vehicle crashes within the state. When injuries cause long-term symptoms or impact your ability to work, you could be entitled to damages. Damages are meant to cover the costs associated with your accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and earnings potential. If you have been in a car accident caused by someone or something else, you are entitled to coverage for your damages.

One of the dedicated car accident attorneys from The Law Offices of John Phebus is standing by to represent your case in Surprise, Sun City, or any of the surrounding communities. Read on to learn more about auto accidents and how an attorney may be able to help you collect the full amount of compensation you are entitled to.

What to Do After a Car Accident in Surprise, AZ

If you get injured in a car accident in Surprise, there are certain steps that you should take right away to defend your rights and protect yourself physically and financially. Keep this list of basic steps in your vehicle or with you in case you get into a car accident. This list covers your responsibilities as a driver as well as tips to help you protect yourself. Here’s what to do:

  1. Pull over as close to the scene of the accident as you can without putting yourself in danger.
  2. Check yourself and others involved in the crash for injuries and render aid, if possible.
  3. Call the police right away to report the accident.
  4. Exchange names and contact information with the other driver.
  5. Do not admit fault for the accident.
  6. Take pictures before leaving the scene of the crash.
  7. Go to a hospital in Surprise immediately for professional medical care.
  8. Call the other driver’s car insurance company to file your initial claim.
  9. Do not accept a fast settlement offer. It may be less than your case is worth.
  10. Contact a car accident lawyer near you as soon as possible for professional assistance.

The aftermath of a car accident is often confusing and overwhelming. If you need assistance, the lawyers at the Law Offices of John Phebus are here to help. Working with an attorney from early on in your case is the best way to protect your rights. Your attorney can take over communications with an insurance company and negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.

Top Injuries Suffered in Auto Accidents

An automobile accident can injure virtually every part of the human body. Crash survivors often experience severe to life-threatening injuries. Our lawyers at the Law Offices of John Phebus have years of experience representing clients in personal injury cases of all kinds. We can help you or a loved one if you’ve been diagnosed with any injury after an automobile accident, including:

  • Broken bones and compound fractures
  • Soft-tissue injuries
  • Whiplash
  • Back and spinal cord injuries
  • Head trauma
  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Burn injuries
  • Internal organ injuries
  • Lacerations
  • Bruises and contusions
  • Amputations
  • Scarring and disfigurement
  • Wrongful death

Even a minor injury can have major consequences, such as expensive medical bills and required time off of work. A catastrophic injury from a car accident, such as brain damage or paralysis, could change your life forever.

Common Causes of Motor Vehicle Accidents

When you are on the road driving safely and responsibly and are hit by another driver, it will certainly come as a surprise to you. Many accidents today are caused by the fact that other drivers do not behave safely and responsibly. When a driver is violating the rules of the road and not operating their vehicle safely and attentively, they will be liable for any damages in accidents they cause. Common examples of driver errors and other hazards behind car accidents in Arizona include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Texting and driving
  • Driving under the influence
  • Speeding
  • Following too closely
  • Reckless driving
  • Making illegal turns
  • Unsafe passing
  • Driving drowsy
  • Running red lights
  • Violating traffic laws
  • Defective auto parts
  • Road hazards

All drivers in Arizona must carry liability car insurance to pay for car accidents that they cause.

To collect damages from another driver in your accident, you’ll need to prove that they were at fault for the accident, which requires evidence. To collect damages, you’ll also need to collect evidence to prove them, which is where your Surprise car accident lawyer is of particular value.

Distracted Drivers Cause Substantial Numbers of Surprise Accidents

One of the most common causes of accidents on the roads today is distracted driving. According to the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration, some 3,142 people died on the roads of the US in 2020 due to distracted driving.

Common forms of distracted driving include:

  • Talking on the phone while driving
  • Texting while driving
  • Fiddling with the radio or in-dash display
  • Anything that takes the eyes off the road, mind off driving, and hands off the wheel

Proving distracted driving may require accessing the other driver’s cell phone records. A lawyer can help you with this task by sending a Letter of Preservation to the driver’s cell phone provider. Other types of evidence can include video footage of the driver in the moments leading up to the crash, pictures of the inside of the driver’s cab and eyewitness statements.

Your Surprise Car Accident Lawyer Collects Evidence to Prove Your Damages

You are only entitled to compensation if it is proven that someone or something else caused your accident, and you can only collect compensation for damages that you prove with evidence. One of the main benefits of working with a local Surprise car accident attorney on your accident is the fact that your attorney collects evidence for you. This evidence is incorporated into your claim, which your attorney negotiates on your behalf every step of the way.

Statute of Limitations on Car Accident Claims in Arizona

Do not delay in contacting an attorney if you believe you have grounds to file a car accident claim. A law known as Arizona’s statute of limitations gives crash victims a time limit of two years from the date of the accident to bring a legal cause of action. If you miss the statute of limitations, the courts will most likely refuse to hear your case, even if you have proof that a driver or another party caused the wreck. There are only rare exceptions to this rule, so contact an attorney as soon as possible to avoid losing your right to recover.

Reach Out to a Surprise Car Accident Lawyer for More Information

Determining if you are entitled to damages for your accident, and if so in what amount, can be difficult. Collecting evidence to prove your damages and then negotiating the best possible settlement can be even harder.

With a dedicated car accident attorney from The Law Offices of John Phebus on your team, you can rest assured you will recover the full amount of what you are entitled to. Call us at (623) 400-5675 to schedule your free consultation to learn how we can help.