A car accident happens in seconds, but the injuries and medical bills can follow you for months or years. Thousands of crashes happen on Tucson roads every year, and many are caused by a driver who was distracted or speeding. At Grabb & Durando, our Tucson car accident lawyers help injured people deal with the insurance companies and pursue full compensation, so you can focus on your recovery.
Most crashes come down to a driver who wasn't paying attention or wasn't following the rules of the road. Texting while driving, speeding, running red lights, following too closely, and driving under the influence are behind many serious collisions. Tucson has its own hazards too. Low sun glare on east-west roads like Speedway and Broadway can blind drivers at rush hour, monsoon storms bring sudden flooding and dust, winter visitors add heavy traffic from fall through spring, and the area around the University of Arizona sees constant pedestrian and bike traffic.
Car accident claims can get complicated quickly. Insurance adjusters are trained to minimize what they pay, and a recorded statement or an early settlement offer can hurt your claim before you know the full extent of your injuries. A car accident lawyer can gather the police report and crash evidence, document your medical treatment, and negotiate with the insurance company for you. Grabb & Durando has represented Tucson accident victims since 1994, and we know how these cases are handled locally.
No one plans for a crash, but a few simple habits can protect you if one happens. Keep your phone charged and within reach, since it's your best tool for taking photos and notes at the scene. A dashcam can also capture exactly what happened, which is valuable evidence if the other driver disputes fault.
It's also smart to keep a basic emergency kit in your car, including warning triangles or flares, a flashlight, and water, which matters in the Arizona heat. Keep a card in your wallet listing any allergies, medications, and emergency contacts in case you can't answer questions yourself.
If no one is seriously hurt and your car can be driven, move it out of traffic to the shoulder or a nearby lot. If a vehicle can't be moved or anyone is injured, call 911, turn on your hazard lights, and stay in your car with your seatbelt on until help arrives. Set out flares or warning triangles only if it's safe to do so.
Call the police, especially if anyone is hurt or the other driver seems impaired or uncooperative. A police report creates an official record of the crash, and it's one of the first things an insurance company will ask for. Arizona law also requires drivers to stop, exchange information, and help anyone who's injured.
Emotions can run high after a crash. Check on the other driver and exchange information, but keep the conversation short. Don't admit fault or apologize, even to be polite, because those words can be used against you later.
Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible, even if you feel fine. Adrenaline can mask pain, and injuries like whiplash and concussions often don't show symptoms for hours or days. Seeing a doctor promptly also creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the crash.
The other driver's insurer may call you within days asking for a recorded statement or offering a quick settlement. You aren't required to give them a statement, and an early offer is usually far less than your claim is worth. Talk to a lawyer before you sign anything or agree to a settlement.
Make sure to collect the following information:
Name, address, phone, and driver's license number of the other party or parties.
Name of the other party’s or other parties’ insurance company, policy number, and the policy’s expiration date.
Year, make, model, license plate number, state of issuance, vehicle identification number (VIN), and information of the owner of the other vehicle(s) (if different than the driver).
Take photos of the scene of the accident, as well as any damage to the vehicles and/or property. Make sure to note the names and numbers of any passengers in the vehicles. Also make sure to obtain the names and numbers of any witnesses.
Arizona is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused the crash, and their insurance company, is responsible for paying for the damage. Every Arizona driver has to carry at least $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person, $50,000 per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. In a serious crash, those minimums often aren't enough to cover the full cost of your injuries.
That's where your own policy can help. Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM and UIM) can pay for your losses when the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough of it. Our team reviews every available policy to find all the coverage that applies to your claim.
Arizona also follows a pure comparative fault rule, so you can still recover compensation even if you were partly responsible for the crash. Your award is reduced by your percentage of fault. Most car accident claims must be filed within two years of the crash, and claims against a city, county, or state agency have much shorter deadlines.
A car accident claim can include your medical bills, both now and in the future, along with lost wages and any loss of earning ability if your injuries keep you from working. You can also recover the cost to repair or replace your vehicle and compensation for pain, suffering, and the ways the injury has changed your daily life. Serious injuries like brain injuries and spinal cord injuries often involve years of treatment, so it's important not to settle before you know the long-term costs.
Generally two years from the date of the crash. Claims against a government agency require a notice of claim much sooner, usually within 180 days.
Your own uninsured motorist coverage may pay for your injuries. Arizona insurers are required to offer UM and UIM coverage, so check your policy or let us review it for you.
You can give them basic information, but you don't have to give a recorded statement. It's best to talk with a lawyer first, since what you say can be used to reduce your claim.
Every case is different. The value depends mainly on how badly you were hurt and how much insurance coverage is available, along with your medical costs and lost income. A free consultation can give you a clearer picture.
Grabb & Durando handles car accident cases on a contingency fee basis, so you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you. Consultations are free.
Our goal is clear - to help our clients recover the maximum damages possible for their accident injury claim from the responsible parties.
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After a crash, the insurance company has a team working to protect its bottom line. You deserve someone working just as hard for you. Our Tucson car accident attorneys will handle your claim from start to finish so you can focus on healing. Call today for a free consultation.
