1. Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, nursing home abuse, product liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rollover accidents, tire defect cases, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has served Mesa, Arizona and the surrounding East Valley area for 60 years, founded in 1961. The attorneys are members of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Notable results include $10 million for a trucking accident case, $5.3 million for a motor vehicle accident, $5 million for a biking accident, $1.5 million for a motorcycle accident, and over $50 million recovered in a bus rollover case involving multiple attorneys.
Location: Mesa, Arizona (serving the East Valley)
Contact: (480) 833-8800 | https://www.sgplaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, same-day appointments available, services in English and Spanish
2. Hastings & Hastings
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, comparative negligence case analysis, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has over 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Arizona. Hastings and Hastings guarantees that prospective clients speak to a licensed Arizona attorney at their initial consultation. Notable result: $1,050,000 recovered for a car accident with serious injuries. The firm handles cases throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area including Mesa, Chandler, and surrounding communities.
Location: Mesa, Arizona (serving the Phoenix metropolitan area)
Contact: https://www.hastingsandhastings.com/mesa-personal-injury-lawyer/
Consultation: Free initial consultation at no cost and no risk
3. Rasmussen Injury Law
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has more than 30 years of combined experience practicing personal injury law in Arizona. Rasmussen Injury Law has offices in Mesa, Tucson, and Glendale. The firm includes personal injury attorneys who are fluent in Spanish and Arabic, serving diverse communities throughout the state.
Location: Mesa, Arizona (with additional offices in Tucson and Glendale)
Contact: (480) 637-5757 | https://rilfirm.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation
4. JacksonWhite Law (Personal Injury Division)
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, dog bites, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: Jared Everton leads the personal injury division and was recognized as an Arizona Rising Star award winner by Super Lawyers. The firm has handled hundreds of car accident injury cases in the Mesa area. JacksonWhite Law offers a full range of personal injury services throughout Arizona.
Location: Downtown Mesa, Arizona
Contact: (480) 485-4482 | https://www.jacksonwhitelaw.com/az-personal-injury/mesa/
Consultation: Free, no-obligation consultation
5. Feller & Wendt, LLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death from auto accidents, catastrophic injuries
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, comparative negligence defense, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has over 70 years of combined experience and maintains a 99% success rate. The attorneys have a deep understanding of Arizona laws for car accidents and personal injury cases. While most cases settle, the attorneys are prepared to go to trial when necessary to obtain fair compensation for clients.
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Contact: https://www.fellerwendt.com/mesa/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee arrangement
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542. Claims not filed within this timeframe will generally be barred.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the incident.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver responsible for causing the accident is liable for damages. Victims can pursue compensation through the at-fault driver’s insurance company or through a personal injury lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-2505. An injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault for the accident. Compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to the injured party. Arizona does not bar recovery regardless of the plaintiff’s percentage of fault.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Bodily Injury Liability: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Property Damage Liability: $15,000. These are often referred to as 25/50/15 coverage.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Arizona does not require PIP coverage. It is a fault-based system.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage Regulations: Arizona law requires insurance companies to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, but drivers can reject this coverage in writing. UM/UIM coverage is optional but recommended.
Damage Caps: Arizona does not impose caps on compensatory damages (economic or non-economic) in personal injury cases. Punitive damages are not capped by statute but must be supported by clear and convincing evidence of intentional or particularly egregious conduct.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: Arizona has dram shop laws under Arizona Revised Statutes § 4-311. Bars, restaurants, and liquor licensees may be held liable for injuries caused by intoxicated patrons if they served alcohol to someone who was obviously intoxicated or under the legal drinking age.
Vicarious Liability Rules for Vehicle Owners: Arizona does not follow the dangerous instrumentality doctrine. Vehicle owners are generally not vicariously liable for accidents caused by permissive users unless the owner was negligent in entrusting the vehicle.
Dog Bite Strict Liability: Arizona has strict liability for dog bites under Arizona Revised Statutes § 11-1025. Dog owners are liable for injuries caused by their dogs regardless of the dog’s prior behavior or the owner’s knowledge of dangerousness.
Rental Car and Rideshare Accident Liability Rules: Rideshare companies must maintain liability coverage. During active rides, companies like Uber and Lyft carry $1 million in liability coverage. Rental car companies are protected under the Graves Amendment from vicarious liability.
Reporting Requirements: Accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 must be reported to law enforcement immediately and to the Arizona Department of Transportation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a car accident injury claim in Arizona?
In Arizona, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is set by Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542. If you fail to file your lawsuit within this two-year period, the court will almost certainly dismiss your case, and you will lose your right to pursue compensation. For claims against government entities (such as accidents involving city vehicles), you must file a notice of claim within 180 days (six months). It is advisable to consult with an attorney promptly to ensure all deadlines are met and to preserve evidence while it is still available.
How does Arizona’s comparative negligence system affect my car accident compensation?
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. Your total recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found to be 25% responsible for the accident and your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $75,000. Unlike states with modified comparative negligence that bar recovery when fault exceeds 50%, Arizona allows recovery regardless of your fault percentage. Insurance companies often attempt to assign higher fault percentages to victims to reduce their payout. An experienced attorney can help minimize your assigned fault through evidence gathering and negotiation.
Where are car accident lawsuits filed in Mesa, and what court handles these cases?
Car accident lawsuits in Mesa are filed in the Maricopa County Superior Court, which handles civil matters including personal injury cases. Mesa is located in Maricopa County, which is the fourth most populous county in the United States. The court has multiple divisions and locations throughout the county. For smaller claims (typically under $10,000), cases may be filed in Justice Court. An attorney can help determine the appropriate court and venue for your specific case based on the amount of damages sought and other factors.
What types of compensation can I recover in an Arizona car accident case?
In Arizona car accident cases, you may recover economic damages including medical expenses (past, present, and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, permanent disability or disfigurement, and loss of consortium. Arizona does not cap economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases. In cases involving particularly egregious conduct, punitive damages may also be available to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar behavior.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Mesa, Arizona?
After a car accident in Mesa, you should first check for injuries and call 911 if anyone needs medical attention. Move to safety if possible and turn on hazard lights. Call law enforcement to report the accident; Arizona law requires reporting accidents involving injury, death, or significant property damage. Exchange information with other drivers including names, contact information, insurance details, and license plate numbers. Document the scene by taking photographs of vehicle damage, road conditions, traffic signs, and any visible injuries. Obtain contact information from witnesses. Seek medical attention even for seemingly minor injuries, as some injuries manifest later. Report the accident to your insurance company promptly. Consult with a personal injury attorney before providing recorded statements to insurance adjusters.