1. Goldberg & Osborne
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and premises liability.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist claims, and spinal cord injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, evidence preservation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: The firm has over 30 years of experience handling personal injury cases in Arizona. Goldberg & Osborne has recovered over $2 billion for clients and has handled more than 60,000 cases. The firm is one of the largest personal injury practices in Arizona and maintains offices throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Glendale. The attorneys have extensive experience with Arizona’s comparative negligence laws and insurance claim procedures.
Location: Glendale, AZ (serving Maricopa County)
Contact: (602) 894-9391 | https://www.goldbergandosborne.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
2. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, rideshare accidents, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury cases.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, multi-vehicle pileups, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, Uber and Lyft accidents, hit-and-run cases, and traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident reconstruction, expert witness coordination, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Kevin Rowe leads the firm’s litigation efforts. The firm has over 240 years of combined litigation experience among its attorneys and has recovered over $1 billion in the last five years alone. Lerner and Rowe operates 24/7 and has multiple offices throughout Arizona. The firm handles a high volume of cases and has extensive experience with insurance companies operating in the Arizona market.
Location: Glendale, AZ (multiple Phoenix metro locations)
Contact: (602) 977-1900 | https://www.lernerandrowe.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available 24/7. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
3. Hastings & Hastings
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and uninsured/underinsured motorist claims.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, freeway accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial truck accidents, hit-and-run cases, rollover accidents, and multi-vehicle pileups.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Hastings & Hastings has served the Phoenix metropolitan area for over 40 years and has more than 90 years of combined legal experience among its attorneys. The firm has a dedicated Glendale office and handles cases throughout Maricopa County. The attorneys have extensive experience with Arizona personal injury law and insurance claim procedures. The firm emphasizes direct attorney involvement in every case.
Location: Glendale, AZ
Contact: (480) 706-1100 | https://www.hastingsandhastings.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
4. Sargon Law Group
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and personal injury litigation.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, intersection accidents, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, hit-and-run cases, uninsured motorist claims, and spinal cord injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Sargon Law Group focuses on personal injury representation in the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Glendale. The firm handles cases from initial consultation through trial when necessary. The attorneys are experienced with Arizona’s comparative negligence system and work to establish liability and document damages thoroughly. The firm provides personalized attention to each case.
Location: Glendale, AZ
Contact: (623) 225-5635 | https://www.sargonlaw.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation available. The firm operates on a contingency fee basis.
5. Ybarra Maldonado & Arant PLLC
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, and personal injury litigation.
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, highway crashes, drunk driving accidents, distracted driving accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, rideshare accidents, hit-and-run cases, and traumatic brain injuries.
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation and trial representation, settlement negotiations, demand letter preparation, accident investigation, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, and wrongful death claims.
Background: Ybarra Maldonado & Arant serves clients throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Glendale. The firm handles personal injury cases with a focus on thorough case preparation and client communication. The attorneys are bilingual (English/Spanish) and serve Arizona’s diverse communities. The firm has experience navigating insurance claims and litigation in Maricopa County courts.
Location: Phoenix, AZ (serving Glendale and Maricopa County)
Contact: (602) 483-6114 | https://www.ym-attorneys.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation available. The firm works on a contingency fee basis.
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations: Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542 establishes a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. The deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death. Property damage claims also have a two-year deadline under A.R.S. Section 12-542.
Fault System: Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages. Injured parties may file claims against the at-fault driver’s insurance, file a claim with their own insurance, or pursue a lawsuit in civil court.
Comparative Negligence: Arizona follows the pure comparative negligence rule under A.R.S. Section 12-2505. An injured party can recover damages even if they are partially at fault, with the recovery reduced by their percentage of fault. Unlike some states with a threshold that bars recovery, Arizona allows recovery even if the injured party is 99% at fault (though recovery would be reduced to 1% of damages).
Minimum Insurance Requirements: Arizona law requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15). Arizona also requires mandatory uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at the same minimum limits unless rejected in writing.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Arizona is one of few states that mandates UM/UIM coverage. Under A.R.S. Section 20-259.01, all auto policies must include UM/UIM coverage with minimum limits matching liability coverage, unless the policyholder rejects coverage in writing. This protection is critical given the percentage of uninsured drivers on Arizona roads.
Damage Caps: The Arizona Constitution, Article 2, Section 31, prohibits the legislature from imposing caps on damages in personal injury cases. This means there are no statutory limits on economic or non-economic damages recoverable in car accident cases. Punitive damages may also be awarded in cases involving egregious conduct.
Reporting Requirements: Arizona law requires drivers to stop and remain at the scene of any accident involving injury, death, or property damage. For accidents resulting in injury, death, or property damage appearing to exceed $500, a written report must be filed with the Arizona Department of Transportation within 10 days if law enforcement did not investigate.
Dram Shop Liability: Arizona has a dram shop law under A.R.S. Section 4-311 that allows liability claims against licensed establishments that serve alcohol to obviously intoxicated persons or minors who subsequently cause accidents. Social hosts may also face liability for serving alcohol to minors.
Vicarious Liability: Arizona generally follows the Graves Amendment, which shields rental car companies from vicarious liability for accidents caused by renters. However, vehicle owners may be liable for negligent entrustment if they allow an incompetent or unlicensed driver to use their vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the statute of limitations for filing a car accident lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542 provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims arising from car accidents. This deadline runs from the date of the accident. For wrongful death claims, the two-year period begins from the date of death. If you are filing a claim against a government entity (such as a city, county, or state vehicle), you must file a notice of claim within 180 days of the accident under A.R.S. Section 12-821.01. Missing these deadlines typically results in permanent loss of your right to pursue compensation.
How does Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule affect my compensation?
Arizona’s pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in damages and were found 40% at fault, you would receive $60,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, Arizona has no threshold that bars recovery entirely. Even a plaintiff found 99% at fault could theoretically recover 1% of their damages, though such cases are rare in practice.
What are the minimum car insurance requirements in Arizona?
Arizona requires all drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, and $15,000 for property damage (25/50/15). Additionally, Arizona mandates uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage at the same minimum limits, unless you specifically reject this coverage in writing. These minimums may be insufficient to cover serious accidents, and many drivers choose to purchase higher limits.
Are there damage caps in Arizona car accident cases?
No. The Arizona Constitution, Article 2, Section 31, explicitly prohibits the legislature from placing caps on damages in personal injury and wrongful death cases. This constitutional protection means there are no limits on economic damages (medical bills, lost wages, future care costs) or non-economic damages (pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life). Punitive damages may also be available in cases involving egregious conduct such as drunk driving.
How do I file a claim against a government vehicle or entity in Arizona?
Claims against Arizona government entities are governed by strict notice requirements under A.R.S. Section 12-821.01. You must file a formal notice of claim with the appropriate governmental entity within 180 days of the accident. The notice must include specific information about the claim, including the facts, the amount sought (if known), and the identity of the claimant. Failure to file a timely notice of claim bars the lawsuit, with limited exceptions for minors or incapacitated persons. The governmental entity then has 60 days to respond before litigation can proceed.