You are hurt, bills arrive, and calls from adjusters do not stop. The first offer you receive may feel like a lifeline.
Unfortunately, in most situations, this isn’t the case. We see this every week. A fair payout is possible, but it takes a plan, evidence, and local knowledge.
At our law firm, our Phoenix car accident lawyers build claims that match real losses, not guesswork.
What Your Settlement Should Cover
Every case is different. The law uses the word damages. Damages are the monetary value of what you lost.
A fair result should address:
- Emergency care and hospital bills
- Follow-up visits, imaging, and therapy
- Future medical needs and surgery
- Lost wages and lost earning capacity
- Vehicle repair or total loss value
- Ride share, towing, and rental car costs
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment
- Scars and disfigurement
- Loss of household services
We document each area with records and numbers. We speak in facts. Insurers respond to proof.
The Formula Insurers Actually Use
Insurers use no single formula to determine your damages after an accident. Adjusters use claim software and ranges.
They plug in medical codes and timelines, score how consistent your care looks, and check gaps in treatment.
They also score fault, which is a significant factor. They view you as a file, not a person. We change that with evidence.
The Five Signals Of A Higher Value Claim
- Clear fault backed by evidence
- Timely and consistent medical care
- Objective proof, like imaging and photos
- Documented wage loss from your employer
- Credible pain reporting without gaps
If your case shows these signals, the value rises. If one is weak, we fix it with more proof.
Arizona Rules That Shape Payouts
Fault Rule In Arizona
Arizona is a fault state, which means the driver who caused the crash pays.
Pure Comparative Fault
Arizona also uses pure comparative fault, which means your payout drops by your percentage of fault.
Statute Of Limitations
Arizona has a two year deadline for injury claims, which means you must file within two years in most cases. Some claims have shorter notice rules. We track these limits from day one.
Minimum Insurance And Finding All Coverage
Arizona requires minimum liability insurance, which means every driver must carry at least the legal minimum. The limits are often not enough for serious injuries.
Many drivers carry only the minimum. We find every available policy and check your Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage. We also check policies for family members in your home when the facts allow it.
Local Factors In Phoenix That Matter
Phoenix traffic is intense on I-10, I-17, Loop 101, Loop 202, Loop 303, and SR-51. Heavy volume means multi vehicle impacts. Factors such as sand and heat can increase brake distance.
Winter visitors can change traffic patterns, and intersections near large venues create spike hours. Local context helps prove foreseeability and risk. We use local crash patterns to support fault and duty.
How We Calculate Your Case Value Step By Step
We Gather The Story
We review the police report, body cam when available, scene photos, and vehicle data. We interview witnesses. We request 911 audio when it helps.
We Prove Fault
We secure video from nearby homes, businesses, or buses. We map the scene. We hire reconstruction experts for disputed impacts.
We Build The Medical Proof
We obtain every record and bill. We ask your providers for clear future care plans. We translate medical jargon into plain cost numbers.
We Quantify Wage Loss
We collect pay stubs, tax returns, and HR letters. We document lost gigs and tips. We use an economist if needed for long term loss.
We Show Daily Impact
We use pain journals, family statements, and photos that show limitations. We connect the dots from injury to life change.
We Identify All Coverage
We look for liability, UM, UIM, MedPay, umbrella, and business policies. We check policy stacking when the law allows it.
We Negotiate With Leverage
We present a demand with timeline, exhibits, and law. We prepare the lawsuit while we negotiate. Leverage raises value.
We Litigate When Needed
We file in Maricopa County when an insurer refuses fair pay. We push discovery and set trial dates. Serious action moves numbers.
What A Phoenix Accident Lawyer Looks For On Day One
- Photos of the scene and vehicles
- Names and numbers for witnesses
- Body shop estimates and total loss reports
- Health insurance and auto policy info
- Any prior injuries to the same body part
- Your work schedule and supervisor contact
Bring what you have. We fill the gaps fast. Early proof prevents low offers.
Mistakes That Cut The Value Of Your Claim
- Delaying care after the crash
- Missing appointments or stopping therapy early
- Talking to adjusters without counsel
- Posting about the collision or your activities online
- Giving broad medical authorizations
- Accepting a quick check before a full diagnosis
These errors give insurers excuses. We block them with clear steps and coaching.
Typical Ranges And Why They Fluctuate
Minor soft tissue cases with brief care often resolve in lower five figures. Moderate injuries with imaging and months of therapy can reach mid five or low six figures.
Surgery cases and long term impairment can reach higher brackets. Policy limits matter. Venue and jury trends matter. Credibility and consistency matter. We assess ranges after we have the facts, not before.
How Medical Bills Affect Your Net Recovery
Charged amounts are not the same as paid amounts. Health plans negotiate rates. Liens may apply for hospitals or EMS. We fight to reduce liens. Lower liens increase your net. We explain these numbers in writing before any decision.
Why Talking To A Lawyer Changes Outcomes
Insurers track results by law firm. They know who tries cases. They know who accepts quick checks. We prepare every file as if it will see a jury. That approach raises offers. It also protects you if talks fail.
When You May Need To Sue
We file suit when fault is disputed, injuries are serious, or policy limits are high. Lawsuits take time. We move with purpose. We keep pressure on the defense with deadlines and expert work. Most cases still settle, but filing shows we mean business.
Timeline You Can Expect
Medical care comes first. Settlement talks begin when your condition is stable or your future needs are known. Simple cases can resolve in months after treatment ends. Complex or surgical cases take longer. Lawsuits add more time. We keep you updated at every step.
What To Do Right Now
- See a doctor today if you still hurt
- Follow the treatment plan
- Save all receipts and mileage
- Keep a daily pain and limits journal
- Do not talk to the other insurer
- Call a car accident attorney in Phoenix, AZ
These steps protect your health and your case value.
Why Choose Us
We are local. We know Phoenix roads and courts. We know the tactics of national carriers and regional carriers. We have the experts and the tools. We treat you with respect and urgency. If you need help, reach out to an auto accident attorney in Phoenix on our team today.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If The Offer Is Fair
Add all past medical bills. Add projected future care. Add lost wages and future earning loss. Include property damage and out of pocket costs. Apply a fair multiplier for pain and loss of life enjoyment that reflects the injury type and recovery time. Check policy limits. Compare to verdicts and settlements for similar facts in Maricopa County. We provide this analysis in writing.
What If I Was Partly At Fault
You can still recover under Arizona law. Your share of fault reduces the award. Evidence on speed, phone use, and lane position can shift percentages. We gather proof to minimize any fault placed on you.
What If The Other Driver Has Low Limits
We pursue your UIM coverage. We look for employer policies if the driver was on the job. We search for additional defendants such as a bar under dram shop rules when facts support it. We check for product defects if a failure contributed to the crash.
How Much Do You Charge
We charge a contingency fee. You pay nothing up front. We get paid only if we recover money for you. We explain the fee and case costs in a clear agreement.
How Long Do I Have To File
Most injury claims have a two year deadline in Arizona. Claims against public entities can have much shorter notice periods. Contact us as soon as possible so we can protect your rights.
Call GLG Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Consultation
A fair settlement reflects proof, not pressure. We build proof. We protect your timeline. We fight for every dollar available under Arizona law. Talk with a Phoenix accident lawyer at our firm before you sign anything. Your health and your future deserve full value.
