A car accident changes everything in a moment. Your priority should be your health and safety, but how you act in the minutes, hours, and days afterward can also shape your legal future. At GLG Personal Injury Lawyers, our Phoenix auto accident attorneys guide you step by step so your rights are protected.
First Moments After the Crash: Stay Calm, Stay Safe
After impact, your immediate focus must be safety. Check yourself and any passengers for injuries. If possible, move vehicles out of traffic lanes to avoid secondary collisions. Call 911 and request both police and medical responders. Even if you feel okay, some injuries manifest later.
Ask for names, phone numbers, and badge numbers of any responding officers. Request a copy of the police report later. If there are witnesses, politely ask for their names and contact information. These details often prove critical when reconstructing fault.
Seek Medical Attention Without Delay
Do not wait to see if pain shows up. Conditions like whiplash, concussion, soft tissue damage, or internal injuries can be asymptomatic initially. Visiting a doctor creates a medical record linking your injuries to the crash. Insurers scrutinize gaps in treatment, and delayed care may weaken your claim.
Tell your medical provider that you were involved in a collision, describe all symptoms, even those you regard as minor, and follow all recommendations, such as imaging, physical therapy, or specialist referrals.
Document the Scene Thoroughly
While you can, photograph and record everything:
- All vehicles involved, from multiple angles
- Damage to each vehicle
- Skid marks, road debris, lane markings
- Street signs, traffic lights, and road conditions (e.g., potholes, wet patches)
- License plates, driver positions, and placement relative to landmarks
- Your own injuries, bruises, cuts, swelling
If you can safely do so, take short video clips that capture spatial relationships. The more detail you preserve early, the less likely it is that evidence disappears.
Exchange Information—but Avoid Admissions
Get names, addresses, driver’s license numbers, vehicle registration, and insurance details from other parties. Ask to see their insurance card. Do not admit fault or make statements like “I’m sorry.” Avoid explaining your version of events beyond factual statements.
Also, collect information from witnesses, including phone numbers and brief notes about what they observed (e.g., “car behind seemed too close,” “saw brake lights”). Their perspectives can support your position later.
Notify Your Insurance Company (Carefully)
Arizona law requires you to report auto accidents to your insurer. Provide the basic facts: names, date, location, and description of what occurred. But do not speculate or admit blame. Do not agree to recorded statements or sign anything until you consult with legal counsel. Insurance adjusters often probe for statements to downplay injuries or shift liability.
Contact GLG Immediately for Legal Help
One of your most important steps is to reach out to us before you speak to insurance companies. As you search for an accident lawyer in Phoenix, Arizona, you want someone who acts quickly.
When you call GLG, we:
- Take over all communication with insurers
- Preserve evidence and lock in critical data
- Investigate liability, collision dynamics, and fault
- Advise on medical documentation, treatment paths, and expert involvement
- Protect you from unfair early settlement offers
Insurance companies often pressure victims to settle quickly, before they fully understand the injuries, diagnostics, or long-term treatment costs. We level the playing field.
What to Avoid After the Crash
- Do not post about the accident or injuries on social media
- Do not dismiss minor symptoms or delay treatment
- Do not accept the first settlement offer, which is often inadequate
- Do not sign releases or agree to statements until you speak with us
- Do not ignore follow-up medical care
Each action (or inaction) can weaken your case. Let us handle negotiations while you focus on recovery.
Understanding Arizona’s Fault Rules
Arizona is a fault-based state: the party responsible for the crash compensates the losses. But that process is rarely straightforward. Insurers often challenge fault, contest damages, and reduce what they pay. That is why experienced advocacy is key.
Under Arizona’s comparative negligence rule, even if you share some fault, you may still recover damages, reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible, you could recover 80% of the total value.
We aggressively challenge assertions of shared fault or contributory negligence. We also explore third-party liability (defective parts, road maintenance, or vehicle manufacturing defects) if evidence warrants.
How GLG Builds Your Case
From day one, we treat your case as though it will go to trial. That posture strengthens our ability to negotiate fairly. Our legal team pursues:
- Crash reconstruction — Using expert engineers, black box (EDR) data, vehicle dynamics, and scene evidence
- Witness and surveillance review — Traffic cameras, business video, and eyewitness statements
- Medical documentation & expert affidavits — To tie your injuries specifically to the crash
- Economic and non-economic valuation — Accounting for past, present, and future damages (medical care, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering)
- Negotiation or litigation — We press insurers with well-substantiated demands; if they refuse fair value, we file suit
We believe maximum compensation comes from preparation, persistence, and willingness to go all the way.
Questions People Ask Us
When should I call an attorney after an accident?
Immediately. Critical evidence (skid marks, witness memory, vehicle telematics) can degrade fast. The earlier we start, the stronger your case.
Will this case cost me anything upfront?
No. At GLG, you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
How long will this take?
Each case differs. Some settle in months, while others require longer due to medical complexity, liability disputes, or litigation. We aim for resolution as quickly as justly possible.
What is my case worth?
Value depends on injury severity, medical needs (ongoing and future), income disruption, fault divisions, and liability exposure. We conduct a full analysis to help estimate your recovery range.
Your Next Steps
- Follow through with medical care and keep all records
- Save all bills, repair estimates, prescriptions, mileage logs, and communications
- Stay off social media discussion about the accident
- Let GLG handle insurer interactions
- Stay in touch with us, your updates and cooperation strengthen your claim
Protecting Your Rights After a Phoenix Car Accident
Being in a car accident is traumatic and confusing. But how you act afterward can make a difference between getting fair compensation or being shortchanged. When you reach out to GLG Personal Injury Lawyers, you gain a committed team focused on protecting your rights, preserving evidence, and fighting unfair tactics.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a Phoenix crash, do not wait. Call us for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will evaluate your situation, explain your rights in clear language, and begin protecting your claim right away.