South Tucson Personal Injury Lawyer

South Tucson Personal Injury Attorney

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, you may have an opportunity to pursue a personal injury claim against the responsible party. A South Tucson personal injury lawyer can help facilitate your personal injury claim. Whether you have been injured by another person or a company, it is crucial that the responsible party is held accountable for their actions. Victims can seek fair and reasonable compensation for their injuries.

Types of Personal Injuries

Some of the most common types of personal injury cases in South Tucson, Arizona are:

• Motor vehicle accidents. Motor vehicle accident cases are perhaps the most common of all personal injury-related cases. Motor vehicle accidents can be further divided into car accidents, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, and pedestrian accidents. These incidents can lead to serious injuries that require immediate medical attention.
• Medical malpractice. Medical malpractice occurs when a medical professional, usually a doctor or physician, provides substandard care to a patient, and that substandard care leads to an injury. One-third of hospital deaths can be tied back to malpractice.
• Wrongful death. A wrongful death claim happens when a victim’s sustained personal injuries lead to death. The victim’s family can file a wrongful death claim and pursue legal action against the responsible party. The surviving family members can obtain compensation for funeral and burial expenses, related medical expenses, lost wages, emotional damage, and other losses.
• Product liability. Product liability is a rarer type of personal injury claim than others. A product liability case arises when an individual is injured by a product. The product is typically considered to be unreasonably dangerous, and it usually contains either a design defect, a manufacturing defect, or inadequate warning labels about the dangers of the product’s use.
• Workplace accidents. Workplace accidents are typically covered by workers’ compensation insurance. The benefit is that you do not have to prove that the employer was at fault for the accident. One of the disadvantages is that you generally cannot receive non-economic damages, such as emotional distress. There are some cases in which you can file a personal injury claim for a workplace injury, but you should first speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer to explore your options.
• Animal attacks. Animal attacks are another form of personal injury case. These occur when someone is attacked by an animal, usually a dog. Arizona has some of the strictest dog bite liability laws in the country. The dog owner is generally held fully liable for the actions of their dog, even if the dog does not have a history of bad behavior. Victims of dog bite attacks can pursue legal action against the dog owner for damages.

Damages Available

For people who have been injured in an accident, there are options available for you to seek compensation. Arizona state law permits victims to seek fair compensation for their injuries to make them whole again. Some common damages that can be awarded to victims are:

• Lost income. Any current or future income that was lost due to the injury can be covered by the personal injury settlement. Injured victims and their families deserve to be fairly compensated for any income that they have lost because of the injury.
• Medical expenses. Any medical bills and expenses that went toward the treatment or recovery of the injuries can be covered by the injury settlement. Medical expenses can include surgery, hospitalization, physical therapy, or any other related expenses.
• Property damages. Any damages that were incurred to the victim’s property are also eligible to be covered by the settlement amount. This is most commonly seen in car accident cases, in which there was significant damage done to the victim’s car.
• Pain and suffering damages. Pain and suffering damages can be awarded in a personal injury settlement and are considered to be non-economic damages.
• Punitive damages. Punitive damages are awarded in an effort to discourage future negligent behavior by the responsible party. Punitive damages can be severe, and they help keep the liable party from engaging in other acts of abuse or recklessness.

Types of Fees Charged

Personal injury lawyers are most commonly paid on a contingency basis. This means that the attorney’s payment depends upon the outcome of the case. If the attorney is successful in winning the case, then they will get paid. If the attorney is unsuccessful in the case, then they will not receive payment.

The contingency amount is typically anywhere between 30% to 40% of the total settlement amount. For example, assume that you were involved in a motorcycle accident that led to a personal injury, and you filed a claim with an attorney who charges a 30% contingency fee. If you were awarded a $10,000 settlement, the attorney’s fee would be $3,000 in this example.

Another fairly common fee arrangement is the hourly rate. Some personal injury attorneys will elect to charge an hourly fee for their time. Attorneys may do this depending on the amount of time they have available and how much time they estimate the case will command. In most hourly fee arrangements, the client is required to put down a deposit, also known as a retainer, to start, and then the attorney will bill hourly.

Steps to Take if You’ve Experienced a Personal Injury

The moments after an accident can be confusing and stressful, especially if you’re dealing with an injury. However, knowing what to do can help you protect your health and your rights. The actions you take immediately after an accident can play a major role in the outcome of your case.

• Report the accident to police: Depending on the type of accident you’ve been in, you may need to call the police to report it. This is particularly true of car accidents. For other types of accidents, you may need to report them to your employer or a property owner.
• Seek medical attention immediately: Your health is always the top priority after an accident. Even if you feel fine, some injuries may not manifest immediately. Conditions like concussions, whiplash, and internal injuries can worsen over time without treatment. Prompt medical care also creates documentation that can help you during your personal injury claim.
• Take photos of the scene: Document the accident scene by taking photos and videos. Be sure to document your injuries, conditions that may have led to the accident, and anything else that may be relevant. This evidence can be invaluable to your case.
• Collect witness information: If anyone saw the accident, ask for their name and contact information. Their statements can help support your version of events.
• Do not discuss fault: Avoid speculating who was responsible for the accident or apologizing. Even casual conversations can be used against you by the insurance company during the claims process. Stick to the facts when speaking with police, insurance companies, or anyone else involved.
• Keep records of your injury: Save medical records, bills, prescription receipts, repair estimates, pay stubs showing lost wages, and communications with the insurance companies. Keeping organized documentation can help prove your losses and the impact of your injury.
• Don’t speak with insurance companies on the record: If you’re contacted by the insurance company, don’t give any recorded statements. As a pure comparative negligence state, insurance companies are looking for any excuse to reduce your payout.
• Contact a personal injury attorney: Speaking with a South Tucson personal injury attorney early in the process can help protect your rights and prevent you from making mistakes. Your lawyer can investigate the accident, gather evidence, communicate with insurers on your behalf, and help you pursue compensation.

When to Contact a Lawyer

With 43.5 million visits to emergency departments for injuries in 2022, it’s important to know when the right time is to call a lawyer. If you suffered an accident, it’s wise to contact an attorney as soon as possible. By involving a lawyer early on, they can collect critical time-sensitive evidence, prevent you from making mistakes, and make sure you meet strict deadlines.

While you aren’t required to work with an attorney, their guidance can be especially helpful if you’re dealing with severe injuries. Arizona’s personal injury laws can be complicated to navigate, but an experienced attorney will be familiar with all relevant laws, court procedures, and strategies for building a strong case.

FAQs

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in South Tucson, Arizona?

The cost of a personal injury lawyer in South Tucson, Arizona will often vary depending on the specific factors of the case. Certain factors can add to a personal injury case’s complexity, such as the number of people involved, the severity of the injuries, and any insurance claims that are involved. Another factor that will influence the cost of a personal injury attorney is the fee structure of the attorney. Some attorneys will charge by the hour, while other attorneys may charge a flat fee.

How Long Can You Wait to File a Claim Against Someone in Arizona?

You can wait up to two years after the date of the injury to file a claim against someone for personal injury in Arizona. The state of Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations. This means that if you wait until after two years from the date of the injury, then you may not be able to legally seek compensation for your injuries.

The two-year statute applies to all personal injury claims in Arizona. There are some exceptions to this two-year rule, but you should consult with an attorney about them.

What Is the Statute of Limitations for Negligence in Arizona?

The statute of limitations for negligence in Arizona is two years. Just like the statute of limitations for personal injuries in Arizona, the statute of limitations for negligence is also two years, and it starts from the date of the injury. Similar to other statutes of limitations, there are certain exceptions. One exception is the discovery rule. The discovery rule allows for the two-year timeframe to be extended to start from the date when the injury was discovered.

Does Arizona Have a Discovery Rule for Its Statute of Limitations?

Yes, Arizona has a discovery rule for its statute of limitations. The discovery rule dictates that the statute of limitations does not start until the date when the injury has been discovered. For example, assume that a medical provider makes a mistake during an operation that causes significant injury to the patient.

The injury is not immediately identified, but it is discovered a few months later. With the use of the discovery rule, the two-year statute of limitations starts from the date the injury is discovered.

What Is Considered Personal Injury in Arizona?

Personal injury in Arizona covers any injuries or damages sustained to a person and/or their property, rights, or reputation. Under Arizona state law, the injured person has the legal right to file a personal injury claim.

The injury claim will allow the injured party to seek compensation for the negligence, carelessness, recklessness, or otherwise intentional actions of the responsible party. Personal injuries can result from car accidents, motorcycle accidents, medical malpractice, or any other type of accident.

Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Unfortunately, personal injuries are a common occurrence in our lives. Personal injuries typically stem from sudden accidents. These accidents and the injuries that result from them can leave individuals filled with many questions. Such circumstances can lead to a great deal of physical, emotional, and mental stress. It is important that one is equipped with the knowledge of what to do if one is involved in an accident that leads to a personal injury.

The legal team at Bleaman Law Firm, P.C., understands how to successfully resolve personal injury cases for Arizona residents. Understanding how to navigate the Arizona state legal system can be difficult without the help of qualified legal assistance. Having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can make all the difference in resolving your case. Contact our office today to see how our legal team can provide the assistance that you need.

South Tucson Personal Injury Lawyer Reviews