By Christie Nicholson, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq. | Last reviewed June 06, 2024
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Most of us will get into a car accident at some point. Unfortunately, nobody teaches us what to do if we get into a car crash. You may not know if you have to report your accident. You may think it’s okay to exchange insurance information with the other driver and be on your way.
Whether you live in Phoenix or Tempe, you must deal with traffic. Odds are, you may be the victim of a rear-end accident. Worse yet, you may suffer injuries in a head-on collision. Regardless of the type of accident, you may have to sue the other driver.
Here, we’ll discuss the car accident settlement process and explain the average Arizona car accident claim timeline. If you still have questions about your case, contact an experienced Arizona car accident lawyer.
Arizona law doesn’t require you to report a car accident involving only property damage. You can resolve the claim with the insurance company if nobody suffers bodily injury.
You must report a car crash resulting in injury or death. You can do so verbally or in writing, whichever is faster.
You must report the accident to the following parties:
You may face fines and other penalties if you don’t report your accident.
You must also stay at the scene until the police arrive. Arizona law requires that officer to issue a police report in the following circumstances:
As you can see, much of the burden falls on law enforcement—not the people involved in the car accident.
Every state has specific laws governing the type and amount of auto insurance drivers must maintain.
According to Arizona’s Department of Insurance and Financial Institutions, drivers must carry the following minimum liability coverage limits:
Arizona drivers can also buy a bond of at least $40,000. They must provide proof of the bond to the state treasurer.
People tend to think that car accident lawsuits go to trial. The truth is that more than 95% of all car accident cases settle out of court. It’s in everybody’s best interest to resolve the matter amicably. Trials are expensive and time-consuming. Plus, there’s no guarantee that you’ll win. You could lose and walk away with nothing.
If you settle your case, you’ll receive a guaranteed payout. You’ll also receive your money much faster than if your case goes to trial. If you hire an Arizona personal injury lawyer to handle your case, they’ll fight to get you as much money as possible. Settling your case will save you a lot of money in court costs and other expenses.
From a legal perspective, a settlement is an informal way of resolving a lawsuit. The parties agree on a mutually agreeable remedy and agree to drop the pending lawsuit.
The Arizona courts don’t require that you attend a settlement conference. But judges in some local courts, such as Mohave County, may order the parties to attend a mandatory settlement conference. The judge can order this on their own or at the request of either party.
One of the first questions car accident victims ask their personal injury attorney is how much their case is worth. They want to know how much they’ll get in their car accident settlement. Unfortunately, this question is nearly impossible to answer—every case is different.
When you file your insurance claim, you’ll demand that the carrier compensate you for losses you sustained in the crash. If you file a personal injury case against the at-fault driver, you'll do the same thing.
Some of the damages you can demand in your personal injury claim include:
Keep in mind that the amount you receive depends on the other driver’s insurance coverage. Insurance companies won’t pay more than their client's policy limits. You must also remember that you can only demand fair compensation for medical treatment related to the accident. Your attorney will have to submit medical records to prove your medical expenses.
Every state has a statute of limitations for filing an accident claim. Arizona's statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years. The clock starts on the date of your accident.
Pending insurance claims don’t delay the legal case time limit. It’s best to speak to an Arizona attorney as soon as possible after the crash. This way, if you can’t negotiate an auto accident settlement, you’ll still have time to file a lawsuit.
You’ll want to consult with an attorney before signing a settlement. The insurance adjuster may try to take advantage of you by making a low settlement offer. Your attorney will ensure the settlement amount is fair and covers your out-of-pocket losses.
If you retain a car accident attorney, they’ll fight to get you a fair settlement that covers your economic damages. Personal injury lawyers in Arizona offer new clients a free case evaluation. This way, you can decide after meeting with them.
Contact a qualified attorney.
Get tailored legal advice and ask a lawyer questions about your accident. Many attorneys offer free consultations.
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