Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer

If you have been involved in a car accident in Phoenix, you may be dealing with physical, emotional and financial repercussions. At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, we understand what you are going through. Our lawyers offer dedicated legal representation to victims in Phoenix and the surrounding areas who have been injured in car accidents.

Our car and truck accident attorneys in Phoenix are committed to providing the legal advocacy and resources our clients need to navigate the legal system and recover the financial compensation they deserve. Contact us today to start with a free consultation.

Meet Brian Panish, Adam K. Shea & Rahul Ravipudi – Your Phoenix Car Accident Attorneys

At Panish | Shea| Ravipudi LLP, our partners Brian Panish, Adam K. Shea & Rahul Ravipudi have consistently earned recognition for excellence from fellow trial lawyers, legal organizations, and national publications. The firm has been honored with a “Tier 1” ranking in Plaintiffs Personal Injury Litigation by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers®, the highest level awarded. Additionally, the National Law Journal ranks us among the nation’s top 12 Plaintiff’s law firms.

• Our Phoenix personal injury lawyers have a long track record of success that includes millions of dollars recovered on behalf of motor vehicle accident victims and their families.
• Our legal team can take on any defendant to hold them accountable for your automobile accident, including large corporations and powerful car insurance companies.
• We accept personal injury and car accident cases in Phoenix on a contingency fee basis. This means you will not owe us anything if your case does not result in financial compensation.

How a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case

Hiring the right car accident lawyer to assist you after a crash can prove invaluable during this difficult time. Your lawyer can help you in various ways if you’ve been injured in a car accident, including:

• Listening to your story and offering personalized legal advice and guidance.
• Conducting a comprehensive investigation of your car accident to determine fault.
• Collecting evidence and hiring experts to support your claim.
• Filing a car accident insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in pursuit of compensation.
• Dealing with insurance company claims adjusters on your behalf.
• Negotiating a fair and full settlement.
• Filing a lawsuit and taking your car accident case to trial, if necessary.

From helping you navigate Arizona’s car accident laws to preventing an insurance company from taking advantage of you, your lawyer will handle your claim with expertise so that you can focus on healing from your injuries.

Car Accident Cases We Accept in Phoenix

At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, we accept all types of motor vehicle accident cases in Phoenix and the surrounding areas. Our practice areas include:

• Car accidents
• Truck accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Bicycle accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Bus accidents
• Uber and Lyft accidents
• Rear-end collisions
• Head-on collisions
• T-bone accidents
• Hit-and-run accidents
• Sideswipe accidents
• Vehicle rollovers
• Drunk driving accidents
• Distracted driving accidents
• Multivehicle pileups
• Defective auto parts
• Fatal accidents

Our personal injury lawyers will consult with you one-on-one about your specific type of crash to explain your rights and help you take the next step forward.

Steps to Take After a Car Accident in Phoenix 

If you get involved in an auto accident in Phoenix, it is important to take the right steps to protect your safety, health and legal rights. What you do after a crash can set up a potential insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit in the strongest way possible. 

If you can, here’s what to do:

1. Ensure your safety. Pull over in a safe location, moving your vehicle to the side of the road if possible to prevent further collisions. Turn on your hazard lights.
2. Check for injuries. Check yourself and your passengers for injuries and seek immediate medical attention. Keep in mind that your adrenaline may be masking pain and other symptoms.
3. Report the accident. Call the police by dialing 911 from the scene of the crash. When the police arrive, give them your version of events for the accident report.
4. Exchange information. Talk to the other driver and get his or her name, contact information, car insurance details, and a description of the vehicle.
5. Document the scene. Do your best to gather evidence before you leave, such as witness names and photographs of the crash site.
6. Notify your insurance company. Call your car insurance provider to report the accident. Stick to the facts of the case only and don’t admit fault.
7. Contact a car accident attorney in Phoenix. Get legal guidance before negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company.

Keep a file of all accident-related documents, such as your medical records, insurance correspondence and the police report. Bring them with you to a meeting with an attorney for an in-depth review of your case and legal options.

Common Causes of Car Accidents in Phoenix

Motor vehicle accidents are a top cause of injury and death in Arizona. Data from the Arizona Department of Transportation states that 122,247 total car accidents were reported in 2023, 37,075 of which resulted in injury and 1,197 of which were fatal. If you have lost a loved one in such a tragedy, seeking the guidance of a Phoenix wrongful death attorney can help you navigate the legal process and seek justice.

The most common causes of car accidents in Phoenix include:

• Driver error
• Violation of traffic laws
• Speeding
• Distracted driving
• Texting and driving
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Driving while drowsy or fatigued
• Following too closely
• Failing to yield the right-of-way
• Inexperienced drivers
• Reckless driving or road rage
• Poor road conditions or defects
• Vehicle defects or part breakdowns

The attorneys at Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP can thoroughly investigate your car accident to determine fault and identify the liable parties. These are the individuals or entities who can be held financially responsible for your medical bills, property damage and other losses.

Arizona’s Car Accident Laws

Arizona’s car accident laws can be complex and difficult to navigate on your own. An attorney with experience handling car accident cases in Phoenix can help you understand the laws that apply to your case and how to use them to your advantage.

We can help you navigate the nuances of Arizona’s car accident laws such as:

• Fault-based insurance: Arizona uses a fault car insurance system, where the person or party at fault for causing a car accident is held liable for the other party’s related injuries and losses. Your attorney can help you qualify for coverage by proving the other driver is at fault.
• Minimum insurance requirements: all drivers in Arizona are required to carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident in bodily injury liability insurance, plus $15,000 in property damage liability coverage.
• Comparative negligence: Arizona Revised Statute Section 12-2505 allows injured car accident victims to seek compensation even if they are partially at fault. However, the amount of compensation available will be reduced by the victim’s percentage of fault.

Our lawyers will explain Arizona’s car accident laws to you in more detail after carefully reviewing your specific case and circumstances. We will put years of education, knowledge and experience to use during your claim.

Common Types of Car Accident Injuries 

When a motor vehicle crashes, its driver and passengers can suffer significant injuries from the force of the impact. Car accidents can injure virtually any part of the body. At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our personal injury lawyers have experience representing clients with all manner of injuries, including catastrophic injuries that will have a significant or permanent effect.

We can help if you or a loved one suffered any of the following types of injuries in a Phoenix car accident: 

• Broken bones 
• Soft-tissue injuries 
• Muscle sprains and strains
• Whiplash and other neck injuries
• Back injuries 
• Herniated disks 
• Spinal cord injuries 
• Paralysis 
• Brain injuries
• Internal injuries and organ damage 
• Severe lacerations
• Burn injuries 
• Scarring and disfigurement 
• Psychological injuries

We can also help if a loved one tragically dies in a fatal car accident in Phoenix. Our lawyers will fight for the financial compensation you deserve for life-changing car accident injuries. We will ensure that an insurance company treats you fairly throughout the claims process.

Who Can Be Held Liable for a Car Crash in Phoenix? 

Who is liable, or financially responsible, for the damage caused by a car accident in Phoenix will depend on the circumstances of the crash. The cause of the collision must be determined before you can file an insurance claim under Arizona’s fault-based law.

Several individuals or entities could be held accountable for your car accident, such as:

• Another driver
• A vehicle owner
• An employer
• A trucking company
• A rideshare company 
• Bicyclists or pedestrians
• A vehicle manufacturer
• A maintenance crew or auto shop
• A bar or social host (dram shop liability)
• The government
• A third party

Our lawyers can revisit the scene of your accident, hire experts and crash reconstructionists, interview witnesses, and take other steps to determine who is at fault for your automobile accident. Then, we can handle the paperwork to bring a claim against one or more parties.

What Is Negligence in a Car Accident Claim? 

The majority of car accident claims in Phoenix are based on the legal theory of negligence. In personal injury law, someone is negligent if he or she fails to exercise a proper or appropriate level of care for the circumstances. If a driver fails to drive in a way that a reasonable and prudent person would have in similar circumstances, he or she is negligent. 

If a driver or another party’s negligence is proven using evidence, that party can be held liable for the crash. Proving negligence requires evidence of a duty of care owed, a breach of the duty of care, causation for the automobile accident and injuries suffered by the victim. Common examples of negligence include driving while distracted and violating traffic laws.

Proving Fault in a Car Accident Case in Phoenix 

When you file a claim in pursuit of financial compensation after a car accident in Phoenix, Arizona, you are given the burden of proof. This means you are responsible for proving that the defendant or accused party is at fault for your automobile accident.

The burden of proof in a car accident claim is “a preponderance of the evidence,” meaning enough evidence needs to be submitted to prove that the defendant is more likely than not to be at fault for your crash. Meeting this burden of proof requires compelling evidence against the defendant.

The evidence available to support your claim could include a police accident report, statements from eyewitnesses, photographs from the crash scene, video surveillance footage of the accident, expert analysis and crash reconstruction. You must also prove the existence and extent of your injuries using evidence such as medical records, an injury journal and medical expert testimony. 

An attorney from Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP can take immediate steps to preserve and collect evidence to support your car accident claim. We can subpoena records and evidence from the defendant, as necessary, and hire highly qualified experts to provide testimony. We understand how to meet the burden of proof and establish fault.

Damages Available in a Phoenix Car Accident Case 

In a Phoenix car accident claim, the damages or financial compensation you may be able to recover fall into three main categories: economic damages, noneconomic damages and punitive damages. As your attorneys, we can help you seek maximum compensation for all of the losses you suffered because of the car accident.

Recoverable damages may include:  

• Medical bills, including surgeries, hospital stays, treatments, therapies, medications, medical devices and rehabilitation.
• Property damage, meaning the cost to repair your vehicle or replace a totaled car. You may also qualify for rental car reimbursement.

• Lost wages, or the income you lost while recovering from your injuries. You could also qualify for lost capacity turn due to a temporary or permanent disability.

• Pain and suffering, or the intangible ways that you suffered because of the car accident, including physical pain, emotional trauma and anguish, distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

• Punitive damages, which are awarded in rare cases where the defendant’s actions are especially wrongful or malicious, such as driving under the influence or road rage.

Working with our car accident lawyers in Phoenix can help you seek a fair amount in damages for the full extent of your injuries and losses, including future expenses. Our lawyers will accurately evaluate how much your case is worth before submitting a demand letter and seeking maximum compensation on your behalf. 

Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do after getting into a car accident?

Pull over at the scene of the crash and check yourself as well as others in your vehicle for injuries. When it is safe to do so, exit your vehicle and exchange information with the other driver. This includes names, contact information and car insurance details. Call 911 to report the car accident right away. Do not admit fault for the collision. Before you leave the scene, take photographs of the accident. Get immediate medical care for your injuries.

How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Arizona?

In general, you have two years after the car accident to file a claim, under Arizona Revised Statute Section 12-542. However, this statute of limitations may be extended or shortened in various circumstances. It is important to contact a car accident attorney as soon as possible to avoid missing your deadline to file, as this could mean forfeiting the right to seek compensation.

What if the other driver does not have car insurance?

If the other driver involved in your car accident does not have car insurance, you may still be able to recover financial compensation from your insurance provider. Call your car insurance company after the crash and ask if you have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance. Comprehensive or collision insurance can also help cover your bills. If you do not have this insurance, contact a lawyer to discuss other legal options.

What are my rights after a hit-and-run accident?

If you get injured in a hit-and-run accident and the identity of the at-fault driver is unknown, you may still qualify for compensation from your own car insurance provider. If you have uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, this will pay for a hit-and-run as if the at-fault driver stayed at the scene but did not have insurance. You may also be able to file a claim against a third party, such as a vehicle manufacturer or the government.

How should I handle conversations with an insurance claims adjuster?

Be wary when speaking to a car insurance claims adjuster about your case. The adjuster works for the insurance company and is hired to save the company as much money as possible on claim payouts. Do not give the adjuster a recorded statement or accept a settlement offer until you’ve consulted with a personal injury attorney about your case. 

Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Phoenix Today

At Panish | Shea | Ravipudi LLP, our team of trial lawyers in Phoenix focuses primarily on personal injury cases. We are committed to helping our clients rebuild their lives after serious car accidents and hold wrongdoers accountable.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a car accident, don’t hesitate to contact us to request a free consultation. We will listen to your story and provide personalized legal advice. Contact or call us at (877) 800-1700 today for more information.