Arizona Car Accident Laws: What Injury Victims Need to Know

Understanding Your Rights After a Crash

If you’ve been injured in an Arizona car accident, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by medical bills, lost income, and insurance company pressure. Knowing how Arizona’s car accident laws work can help you protect your rights, especially when there is shared fault. 

Attorney Adithya Bala at Bala Legal Services focuses on guiding injured people in Tempe and the surrounding areas through this process with compassion and skill. That way, they can recover and receive the closure they deserve.  

In this article, we will discuss Arizona car accident laws and what injury victims need to know. 

Key Car Accident Laws in Arizona

Before breaking down the details of Arizona car accident laws, it helps to understand the basic rules that govern claims and compensation. This quick overview gives injured people a starting point for what to expect after a crash.

• Fault-Based System: Arizona is a fault-based state. The driver who causes the accident is responsible for damages.
• Pure Comparative Negligence: Even if you were mostly at fault, you may still recover damages. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.
• Statute of Limitations: Most car accident injury claims must be filed within two years of the crash.
• Insurance Requirements: All drivers must carry minimum liability insurance, but your own coverage may also come into play.

These laws form the foundation for how injury claims are handled in Arizona and why having a knowledgeable attorney can make such a difference in the outcome of your case.

How Pure Comparative Negligence Works

Under Arizona law, you can recover damages even if you were mostly at fault—even up to 99%. Your compensation is simply reduced by your percentage of fault, so you’re only paid for the share of harm caused by others.

For example, if your damages total $50,000 and you’re found 40% at fault, you could still recover $30,000 from the other party. If more than one defendant is involved, each is generally responsible only for their own percentage of fault under Arizona’s several liability rules. (Joint liability applies only in rare circumstances, such as when defendants acted together or a specific statute creates an exception.)

This system allows injured people to seek fair compensation even in complex, shared-fault accidents and gives courts and insurers a clear framework for dividing responsibility among multiple parties.

Proving Fault in Arizona Car Accidents

Assigning fault for an Arizona car accident isn’t always straightforward. Courts and insurers may look at:

• Police reports and traffic citations
• Witness statements
• Photos or videos from the scene
• Accident reconstruction expert opinions
• Medical records and property damage reports

Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce payouts. Having an experienced attorney ensures evidence is presented fairly and your rights are protected. That’s why Adithya Bala and his team work tirelessly to fight for the closure you deserve. 

Common Accident Scenarios Where Fault is Shared

Even seemingly simple accidents can involve more than one responsible party. This section breaks down common situations to show how fault may be divided and why knowing your rights matters.

• Rear-End Collisions: The rear driver may be mostly at fault for following too closely, but the lead driver could share blame for stopping suddenly.
• Left-Turn Accidents: The turning driver may be primarily at fault, but the oncoming driver could be speeding.
• Multi-Vehicle Crashes: Fault may be split among several drivers depending on their actions.
• Pedestrian Accidents: A distracted driver may be at fault, but a pedestrian crossing outside a crosswalk may also share blame.

These examples show why understanding comparative negligence is crucial. Injured people may still be able to recover damages even if they bear some responsibility.

Other Important Arizona Car Accident Laws

In addition to comparative negligence, there are other laws that can significantly affect an injury claim:

• Mandatory Reporting of Accidents: Arizona law requires drivers involved in an accident resulting in injury, death, or significant property damage to notify law enforcement immediately.
• Minimum Insurance Coverage: Drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability coverage, plus $15,000 in property damage liability. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can also help victims recover if the at-fault driver lacks sufficient insurance.
• Dram Shop Liability: In certain cases, bars, restaurants, or social hosts that overserve alcohol to visibly intoxicated patrons who later cause an accident may also be held partially liable for damages.
• Wrongful Death Actions: If a car accident results in a fatality, surviving family members may file a wrongful death claim within two years of the date of death to recover funeral expenses, lost income, and other damages.
• Hit-and-Run Laws: Failing to remain at the scene of an accident can result in criminal charges. Victims of hit-and-run crashes may still have options through their own insurance policies.

By understanding these additional laws, victims and their families can better navigate the complexities of an accident claim in Arizona. 

We know how overwhelming auto accident laws can become, especially while dealing with the emotional and physical impacts. The Bala Legal team can’t possibly understand your pain, but we can provide the compassion and knowledge you need to secure the compensation you deserve. 

We’re more than just your legal representation. We’re your advocate inside and outside of the courtroom. 

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Arizona

To protect your health and your personal injury claim, follow these steps:

1. Seek Medical Attention immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
2. Call Law Enforcement so an official report documents the crash.
3. Gather Evidence like photos, witness contacts, and insurance details.
4. Avoid Admitting Fault at the scene or to insurers.
5. Consult an Attorney before negotiating with insurance companies.

Why Legal Representation Matters For Car Accidents in Arizona

Even if you have a strong claim, the legal process and insurance system can feel like a maze. Having a skilled attorney levels the playing field. Insurance companies may use tactics to lower your settlement, such as:

• Assigning you an unfair percentage of fault
• Downplaying your injuries
• Using your statements against you
• Delaying the process to pressure you into settling quickly

An attorney knows how to gather evidence, work with medical experts, and calculate the true value of your claim. This includes future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, and pain and suffering. 

Attorney Adithya Bala works on a contingency basis and provides flexible agreements so you truly can focus on your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. 

Get the Closure You Deserve

Understanding Arizona’s car accident laws can make the difference between a fair recovery and walking away with less than you deserve. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in an auto accident, don’t wait. Call Bala Legal Services today for a free consultation. Attorney Adithya Bala will review your case, explain your options, and fight for the compensation you’re entitled to so you can focus on healing and getting back to your life.