Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer
An accident can change everything in an instant. One moment you’re driving to work, shopping at the store, or simply walking across a parking lot in Phoenix, and the next moment your life is forever altered by serious injuries. If you’ve been hurt in Arizona due to someone else’s negligence, you’re facing more than physical pain—you’re dealing with medical bills, lost income, insurance company games, and uncertainty about your future.
At Eddington Law, our Arizona personal injury attorneys have spent decades helping accident victims fight back. We understand what you’re going through, and we know how to navigate Arizona’s legal system to secure the compensation you need and deserve. With an office in Phoenix and a commitment to personalized service, we’re here to guide you through this difficult time and fight for the justice your family deserves.
We believe that when someone’s negligence turns your life upside down, they should be held accountable. We’re ready to stand up for your rights, take on powerful insurance companies, and pursue every dollar you’re owed under Arizona law.
Understanding Personal Injury Law in Arizona
Personal injury law provides a legal pathway for injured individuals to seek compensation when someone else’s wrongful conduct causes harm. In Arizona, if you’ve been injured due to another person’s or entity’s negligence, you have the right to pursue a personal injury claim.
Proving Negligence in Arizona
To succeed in an Arizona personal injury case, you typically must prove four key elements:
Duty of Care: The at-fault party owed you a legal duty to act reasonably and avoid causing harm. For instance, all Arizona drivers have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and follow traffic laws.
Breach of Duty: The at-fault party violated that duty through some action or failure to act. Examples include running a red light, texting while driving, failing to maintain safe premises, or providing inadequate medical care.
Causation: The breach of duty directly caused your injuries. There must be a clear connection between the negligent act and the harm you suffered.
Damages: You suffered actual losses as a result, such as medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, or property damage.
Arizona’s Comparative Fault System
Arizona follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. This means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident—as long as you were not 100% responsible. However, your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault.
For example, if your total damages are $100,000 and you’re found to be 25% at fault, you can still recover $75,000. This rule makes it crucial to have an experienced attorney who can minimize your assigned fault percentage and maximize your recovery.
Statute of Limitations in Arizona
Arizona law strictly limits how long you have to file a personal injury lawsuit. Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file your claim. Important exceptions include:
- Claims against government entities: Require filing a notice of claim within 180 days (six months) of the injury
- Medical malpractice: Generally two years from discovery of the injury, but no more than four years from the date of the negligent act
- Wrongful death: Two years from the date of death
- Minors: The statute of limitations may be tolled until the injured minor turns 18
Missing these deadlines typically means losing your right to compensation permanently. That’s why it’s critical to contact an experienced Arizona personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Arizona
At Eddington Law, we represent injured clients throughout Arizona in virtually every type of personal injury case, including:
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Arizona’s roads—from the I-10 through Phoenix to rural highways—see thousands of serious accidents each year. We handle:
- Car accidents: Rear-end collisions, intersection crashes, rollover accidents, and multi-vehicle pileups
- Truck accidents: Collisions with 18-wheelers, delivery trucks, and commercial vehicles
- Motorcycle accidents: Crashes that often result in devastating injuries for riders
- Bicycle accidents: Cases involving cyclists struck by vehicles or injured by dangerous road conditions
- Pedestrian accidents: Accidents in crosswalks, parking lots, or alongside roadways
- Rideshare accidents: Uber and Lyft crashes with complicated insurance coverage issues
- Bus accidents: City buses, school buses, and charter bus accidents
Premises Liability
Arizona property owners have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions. We represent victims of:
- Slip and fall accidents in stores, restaurants, or businesses
- Trip and fall accidents due to hazardous conditions
- Inadequate security leading to assaults or violent crimes
- Swimming pool accidents and drowning incidents
- Elevator and escalator accidents
- Falling objects or merchandise
- Negligent maintenance
- Dog bites and animal attacks
Wrongful Death
When someone’s negligence causes a fatal accident, surviving family members may be entitled to compensation for their devastating loss. We handle wrongful death claims arising from all types of accidents throughout Arizona.
Product Liability
Manufacturers, distributors, and retailers can be held strictly liable for injuries caused by dangerous or defective products, including:
- Dangerous pharmaceuticals
- Faulty medical devices
- Defective vehicles and vehicle parts
- Unsafe children’s products
- Defective consumer goods
Medical Malpractice
Healthcare providers who deviate from accepted medical standards of care can be held accountable for injuries caused by:
- Surgical errors
- Misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis
- Medication errors
- Birth injuries
- Nursing home abuse or neglect
- Emergency room mistakes
Workplace Accidents
While workers’ compensation typically covers workplace injuries in Arizona, you may have a third-party liability claim when someone other than your employer caused your injuries.
Catastrophic Injuries
We have extensive experience representing clients who have suffered life-altering injuries:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Severe burn injuries
- Amputation or loss of limb
- Multiple bone fractures
- Internal organ damage
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
No matter how you were injured in Arizona, if someone else’s negligence was responsible, we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Compensation Available in Arizona Personal Injury Cases
Arizona law allows injured victims to recover various types of damages designed to compensate for their losses and restore them to their pre-accident condition as much as possible.
Economic Damages
These are tangible financial losses with specific dollar values:
Medical Expenses: All past and future costs of medical treatment related to your injury, including emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, medication, physical therapy, rehabilitation, assistive devices, home modifications, and long-term care needs.
Lost Income: Wages, salary, commissions, bonuses, and self-employment income you’ve lost due to missing work during recovery.
Lost Earning Capacity: If your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous job or reduce your ability to earn income in the future, you can recover compensation for this diminished earning potential.
Property Damage: Costs to repair or replace damaged vehicles, personal property, or other belongings.
Household Services: Compensation for tasks you can no longer perform yourself, such as cleaning, cooking, yard work, or childcare.
Non-Economic Damages
These compensate for subjective losses that don’t have specific price tags:
Pain and Suffering: Physical pain, discomfort, and ongoing symptoms resulting from your injuries.
Emotional Distress: Anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), fear, humiliation, and psychological trauma.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Inability to participate in activities, hobbies, sports, and daily pleasures you enjoyed before the injury.
Loss of Consortium: Compensation to spouses for loss of companionship, affection, comfort, and intimacy.
Disfigurement and Scarring: Compensation for permanent physical changes affecting your appearance and self-image.
Arizona does not cap non-economic damages in most personal injury cases, allowing juries to award appropriate compensation based on the full extent of your suffering.
Punitive Damages
In cases involving especially reckless or intentional conduct—such as drunk driving, extreme negligence, or fraud—Arizona courts may award punitive damages designed to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior. These damages are awarded in addition to compensatory damages.
The value of your specific claim depends on numerous factors: the severity and permanence of your injuries, the clarity of liability, your age and occupation, how the injuries impact your daily life, the strength of available evidence, and the insurance coverage available. Our experienced attorneys thoroughly evaluate every aspect of your case to pursue maximum compensation.
Why Arizona Insurance Companies Can't Be Trusted
After an accident in Arizona, you’ll likely hear from insurance adjusters quickly. They may seem friendly, sympathetic, and eager to help. But make no mistake—insurance companies are for-profit corporations that make money by collecting premiums and paying out as little as possible on claims.
Common Tactics Arizona Insurance Companies Use
Quick Lowball Settlements: Insurance adjusters may offer a fast settlement before you fully understand your injuries or the true value of your claim. Once you accept and sign a release, you cannot pursue additional compensation—even if your injuries prove far more serious than initially believed.
Requesting Recorded Statements: Adjusters will ask you to provide recorded statements about the accident. They use leading questions designed to get you to say things that can be used against you to reduce or deny your claim.
Disputing Medical Treatment: Insurance companies routinely claim your medical treatment was unnecessary, excessive, or unrelated to the accident. They may pressure you to see doctors they select who are financially incentivized to minimize your injuries.
Shifting Blame: Even when liability seems obvious, insurers will look for any reason to blame you, allowing them to reduce their payout under Arizona’s comparative negligence rules.
Delaying Tactics: Insurance companies may unnecessarily drag out the claims process, hoping financial pressure will force you to accept a lowball settlement.
Social Media Surveillance: Insurers frequently monitor injured victims’ social media accounts and may hire investigators to surveil you, looking for anything that might undermine your claim—even innocent activities taken completely out of context.
This is exactly why you need an experienced Arizona personal injury attorney on your side from the start. We know these tactics intimately, we’ve countered them thousands of times, and we know how to protect your rights throughout the claims process.
What to Do After an Accident in Arizona
The actions you take immediately after an accident can significantly affect your ability to recover compensation. Here’s what you should do:
Get Medical Attention Immediately
Your health is the top priority. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously injured, see a doctor right away. Many injuries—including concussions, internal bleeding, and soft tissue damage—may not produce immediate symptoms but can become life-threatening. Delaying medical care also gives insurance companies an argument that you weren’t really hurt.
Report the Accident
For motor vehicle accidents, call law enforcement and make sure a police report is filed. For other types of accidents, report the incident to the property owner, manager, or appropriate authority. Having an official record is crucial.
Document Everything
If you’re physically able:
- Take photographs of the accident scene, your injuries, property damage, and any conditions that contributed to the accident
- Get names and contact information from witnesses
- Write down your recollection of how the accident happened while it’s fresh
- Keep all medical records, bills, receipts, and documentation
- Track missed work days and other financial losses
Preserve Evidence
Don’t repair or dispose of damaged property. Don’t wash or throw away torn or bloody clothing. Preserve anything that could serve as evidence in your case.
Watch What You Say
Don’t apologize or admit fault at the accident scene—even if you think you might have been partially responsible. Don’t discuss the accident on social media. Don’t give recorded statements to any insurance company without first consulting an attorney. Anything you say can and will be used to reduce or deny your claim.
Contact an Experienced Arizona Personal Injury Attorney
The sooner you have legal representation, the better. An attorney can protect your rights from day one, handle all communications with insurance companies, preserve critical evidence before it disappears, and begin building a strong case on your behalf.
How Eddington Law Handles Arizona Personal Injury Cases
When you choose Eddington Law to represent you in your Arizona personal injury case, you’re getting more than just legal representation—you’re gaining a dedicated advocate who will fight tirelessly for your rights. Here’s what sets us apart:
Comprehensive Investigation
We conduct our own thorough, independent investigation of your accident:
- Visiting and examining the accident scene
- Interviewing all witnesses
- Consulting with accident reconstruction experts when beneficial
- Thoroughly reviewing police reports, medical records, and all documentation
- Obtaining surveillance footage, photographs, and physical evidence
- Working with medical experts to fully understand your injuries and prognosis
Accurate Case Valuation
Insurance companies hope you don’t know what your case is truly worth. We do. Using decades of experience and thorough analysis of your unique circumstances, we accurately calculate the full value of your claim—including future medical costs, lost earning capacity, and all other damages you may not have considered.
Aggressive Negotiation
Most personal injury cases in Arizona settle before trial, but we never accept inadequate offers. We negotiate aggressively with insurance companies, using compelling evidence, legal expertise, and our strong reputation to secure maximum compensation. Insurance adjusters know we’re fully prepared to take cases to trial, and that knowledge gives us significant leverage during negotiations.
Trial Preparation
We prepare every case as if it will go to trial. This preparation strengthens our position during settlement negotiations and ensures we’re ready to present your case to an Arizona jury if necessary. When trial is required, we have the courtroom experience and litigation skills to effectively advocate for you.
Compassionate Client Service
We understand you’re going through one of the most difficult and stressful times of your life. We treat every client with respect, compassion, and the personal attention they deserve. We keep you informed at every stage, answer your questions promptly, and make ourselves available when you need us.
Contingency Fee Representation
We handle all Arizona personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront—no retainer, no hourly fees, no out-of-pocket costs. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you, and our fee is a percentage of your recovery. This arrangement makes quality legal representation accessible regardless of your financial situation, and it perfectly aligns our interests with yours—we only win when you win.
Arizona-Specific Legal Considerations
Arizona has unique laws and legal standards that can significantly impact your personal injury case. Our in-depth knowledge of Arizona law helps us effectively navigate these complexities:
Pure Comparative Negligence
Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover damages even if you were 99% at fault—though your recovery is reduced proportionally. This differs from many other states and requires strategic handling to minimize your assigned fault percentage.
Seat Belt Defense
Arizona allows defendants to argue that your failure to wear a seat belt contributed to your injuries, potentially reducing your recovery. We know how to counter these arguments effectively.
Modified Joint and Several Liability
When multiple parties share responsibility for your injuries, Arizona’s modified joint and several liability rules affect how damages are allocated. Understanding these rules is crucial when multiple defendants are involved.
Government Claims
Claims against Arizona government entities—including cities, counties, and state agencies—require strict compliance with special notice requirements and shortened deadlines. We have extensive experience navigating these complex procedures.
Minimum Insurance Requirements
Arizona requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance ($25,000/$50,000/$15,000), but many drivers carry only these minimums or drive without insurance entirely. We know how to identify all available sources of recovery, including uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
Statute of Repose for Product Liability
Arizona has a 12-year statute of repose for product liability claims, which can affect cases involving older products. We understand how to work within these time constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Personal Injury Claims
How long do I have to file a personal injury claim in Arizona?
Generally, you have two years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit. However, claims against government entities require filing a notice of claim within 180 days. Don’t delay—contact us immediately to protect your rights and preserve evidence.
What if I can’t afford a lawyer?
You can afford us. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning there are no upfront costs or fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you. Your initial consultation is always free.
How much is my Arizona personal injury case worth?
Every case is unique. The value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical expenses, lost income, how the injuries affect your life, the strength of evidence, available insurance, and other factors. We’ll provide an honest case evaluation during your free consultation.
Should I accept the insurance company’s settlement offer?
Never accept any settlement offer without first consulting an experienced personal injury attorney. Initial offers are almost always far below what your case is truly worth. Insurance companies count on injured victims not knowing better.
What if the accident was partially my fault?
You can still recover compensation under Arizona’s comparative negligence rule. Your recovery will be reduced by your percentage of fault, but you’re not completely barred from compensation unless you were 100% responsible.
How long will my case take?
Every case is different. Some straightforward cases settle within a few months, while complex cases involving severe injuries may take a year or more. We work as efficiently as possible while ensuring you receive full, fair compensation—we never rush settlement just to close your file.
Do I have to go to court?
Most personal injury cases settle before trial. However, if the insurance company refuses to make a fair offer, we’re fully prepared to take your case to court and present it to an Arizona jury.
What if the person who caused my accident doesn’t have insurance?
You may be able to recover through your own uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. We’ll explore all available avenues for compensation.
Can I choose my own doctors in Arizona?
Yes. You have the right to see any healthcare provider you choose. Don’t let insurance companies pressure you into seeing their doctors—they often downplay injuries to save the insurance company money.
What if my injury doesn’t show up right away?
Some injuries have delayed symptoms. If you didn’t seek immediate medical attention, see a doctor as soon as symptoms appear and contact us right away. The “discovery rule” may extend your deadline in certain circumstances.
Why Choose Eddington Law for Your Arizona Personal Injury Case?
Choosing the right attorney can make all the difference in the outcome of your Arizona personal injury case. Here’s why accident victims throughout Arizona trust Eddington Law:
Decades of Experience: We’ve spent our careers representing injured victims and recovering substantial compensation for our clients. We know what it takes to win against tough opponents.
Personalized Service: You’re never just a file number to us. We take the time to understand your unique circumstances and tailor our legal strategy to your specific needs and goals.
Resources to Win: We have the financial resources, professional network, and litigation capabilities to take on large insurance companies, major corporations, and well-funded adversaries. We’re not intimidated by powerful opponents.
Proven Results: Our track record of successful settlements and verdicts demonstrates our ability to deliver results for injured clients.
Relentless Advocacy: We fight aggressively for every dollar you deserve. Insurance companies know we don’t back down, and that reputation works to your advantage.
Clear Communication: We keep you informed throughout your case. You’ll always know what’s happening and what to expect next—no legal jargon, no confusion.
Client-Centered Approach: Your recovery and wellbeing are our top priorities. We handle the legal stress so you can focus on healing and getting your life back.
Phoenix Office Convenience: With our office conveniently located in Phoenix, we’re accessible to clients throughout the greater Phoenix area and all of Arizona.
Risk-Free Representation: No upfront costs, no hidden fees, no financial risk. You pay nothing unless we win your case.
Contact an Arizona Personal Injury Lawyer Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident anywhere in Arizona, don’t face the insurance companies and legal system alone. You need experienced, aggressive legal representation that will fight for your rights and the full compensation you deserve under Arizona law.
At Eddington Law, we’ve dedicated our careers to helping injured victims rebuild their lives after accidents. We know the Arizona legal system, we know how insurance companies operate, and we know how to win. We’ll handle every aspect of your case while you focus on what matters most—your physical and emotional recovery.
Time is critical in personal injury cases. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and Arizona’s strict deadlines approach quickly. The sooner you contact us, the better we can protect your rights and build the strongest possible case.
Your consultation is completely free and confidential. We’ll listen to your story, answer all your questions, explain your legal options clearly, and give you an honest assessment of your case. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Don’t wait another day to protect your rights and your family’s future.
Contact Eddington Law today:
- Call our Phoenix office for immediate assistance
- Visit eddington.law to learn more about our firm and practice areas
- Stop by our Phoenix office for a face-to-face consultation
We serve personal injury victims throughout Arizona, including:
We serve personal injury victims throughout Arizona, including Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, Chandler, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, Gilbert, Tucson, Flagstaff, and all surrounding communities.
You’ve already been through enough—let us handle the legal fight from here. We’re ready to stand up for you, hold the negligent parties accountable, and fight for the justice and compensation your family deserves.