1. Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm
Practice Focus: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, drunk driving accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury, wrongful death litigation
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, DUI-related accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, catastrophic injury cases, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, pedestrian accidents on I-10 and I-19, multi-vehicle pileups
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, expert witness coordination, accident reconstruction
Background: Louis Hollingsworth is a Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the State Bar of Arizona. Born and raised in Tucson, he has obtained jury verdicts and settlements exceeding millions of dollars. The firm combines 50 years of courtroom experience. Hollingsworth Kelly has been recognized as a Best Law Firm in U.S. News and World Report since 2012. The firm includes Hon. John F. Kelly (Ret.), who served on the Pima County Superior Court bench for 22 years, and Julia Kaiserman, former head of the Fraud Department at the Pima County Attorney’s Office.
Location: 3501 North Campbell, Suite 104, Tucson, Arizona 85719
Contact: (520) 882-8080 | https://www.hollingsworthlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis (no fee unless recovery is obtained)
2. Rockafellow Law Firm
Practice Focus: Auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, catastrophic and burn injuries, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, insurance bad faith
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, multi-vehicle accidents, distracted driver accidents, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, fatal vehicle accidents, dram shop liability cases, defective roadway accidents, head injuries, spinal injuries
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, dram shop liability claims, uninsured motorist claims, accident investigation, expert witness retention, property damage claims
Background: Leighton H. Rockafellow founded the firm over 35 years ago. He is AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell and certified as a specialist in personal injury and wrongful death and as a civil trial specialist by the State Bar of Arizona. The firm has more than 40 years of combined experience. Notable results include $4 million for a car crash resulting in paraplegia, $2 million for a car crash resulting in brain injury, and $750,000 for a truck versus car crash with brain injury.
Location: 2438 East Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85719
Contact: (520) 334-1354 | https://www.rockafellowlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation available during business hours, evenings, and weekends by appointment; contingency fee basis
3. Karnas Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury, auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, intersection accidents, red light runner accidents, multi-vehicle collisions, child injury claims, vehicle defect claims, distracted driving accidents, drunk driving accidents, catastrophic injury cases
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, medical provider coordination, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims, child injury claims
Background: The firm has over 50 years of combined experience and has recovered over $50 million in damages for clients. The firm has served over 10,000 clients. Lead attorney M. David Karnas founded the firm and has received recognition from the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys, and Lawyers of Distinction. The firm operates offices in Tucson, Phoenix, and Yuma.
Location: 4810 E. Broadway Boulevard, Tucson, Arizona 85711
Contact: (520) 571-9700 | https://karnaslaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis, bilingual services available (Spanish)
4. Zanes Law Injury Lawyers
Practice Focus: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bus accidents, construction accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, premises liability
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, head-on collisions, T-bone accidents, speeding accidents, distracted driving accidents, DUI accidents, hit-and-run accidents, uninsured motorist claims, underinsured motorist claims, multi-vehicle pileups
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident investigation, evidence documentation, medical bill management, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims, wrongful death claims
Background: The firm has over 25 years of experience with a reported 99% success rate. Founded by Doug Zanes, the firm has recovered over $500 million in compensation for clients. Zanes Law maintains offices throughout Arizona, including Tucson and Phoenix. The firm has experience with Arizona’s pure comparative negligence laws and local traffic patterns on I-10 and I-19 corridors.
Location: 4580 E Grant Rd #101, Tucson, Arizona 85712
Contact: (520) 777-7777 | (866) 499-8989 | https://zaneslaw.com/tucson-injury/car-accident-lawyer/
Consultation: Free consultation available 24/7, contingency fee basis (no upfront fees)
5. Schmidt and Sethi Law Firm, PLLC
Practice Focus: Personal injury, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, medical malpractice
Case Types Handled: Rear-end collisions, T-bone accidents, intersection accidents, commercial vehicle accidents, brain injuries, spinal injuries, burn injuries, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death from auto accidents
Legal Services: Insurance claim negotiation, litigation, trial representation, settlement negotiations, accident reconstruction, medical lien resolution, property damage claims, lost wage recovery, pain and suffering claims
Background: The firm has recovered over $100 million for clients. The attorneys are board-certified in personal injury and wrongful death litigation. The firm has AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. Attorneys have been recognized by Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers in America. The firm maintains a 98% success rate with most cases ending in fair settlement. The firm is committed to community involvement in Tucson and Southern Arizona.
Location: Tucson, Arizona (specific address available upon contact)
Contact: Contact through website | https://www.azinjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation, contingency fee basis
Car Accident Laws and Regulations in Arizona
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims: Two years from the date of the accident under A.R.S. Section 12-542. Failure to file within this timeframe typically results in case dismissal and loss of the right to recover compensation.
Statute of Limitations for Property Damage Claims: Two years from the date of the accident.
Statute of Limitations for Wrongful Death Claims: Two years from the date of death.
Fault vs. No-Fault Insurance State Status: Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state. The driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for damages through their liability insurance. Injured parties can file claims with the at-fault driver’s insurance company or pursue a lawsuit.
Comparative Negligence Rules: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. Section 12-2505. Each party is responsible for their percentage of fault. Injured parties can recover damages even if they are 99% at fault, though their recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, if found 30% at fault for a $100,000 claim, the recovery would be $70,000.
Minimum Auto Insurance Requirements: Arizona requires drivers to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage of $25,000 per person for bodily injury, $50,000 per accident for bodily injury when multiple people are injured, and $15,000 per accident for property damage (25/50/15).
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: Arizona mandates that all automobile insurance policies include uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage with minimum limits of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Drivers can reject this coverage in writing.
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Requirements: Arizona does not require PIP coverage. It is an optional coverage that drivers may purchase.
Damage Caps: The Arizona Constitution (Article 2, Section 31) prohibits capping accident recovery. There are no statutory caps on economic or non-economic damages in personal injury cases.
Accident Reporting Requirements: Under A.R.S. Section 28-667, law enforcement officers must prepare a written report of any accident they investigate if the crash results in injury, death, or apparent property damage. Drivers are required to remain at the scene and exchange information.
Dram Shop Liability Laws: Arizona has dram shop laws that allow injured parties to seek compensation from establishments that served alcohol to visibly intoxicated individuals or minors who subsequently caused accidents.
Government Entity Claims: Claims against government entities have shorter deadlines. Typically, notice must be filed within 180 days of the accident.
Vicarious Liability Rules: Vehicle owners can be held liable for accidents caused by drivers operating their vehicles with permission under certain circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in Arizona?
Arizona law provides a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims from car accidents under A.R.S. Section 12-542. This deadline begins on the date of the accident or, in some cases, the date the injury was discovered. If you are filing a claim against a government entity (such as when a city vehicle was involved), the deadline is much shorter, typically requiring notice within 180 days. Missing these deadlines generally results in losing your right to pursue compensation through the court system.
How does Arizona’s comparative negligence law affect my car accident claim?
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault for the accident. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are found 20% responsible for the accident and your damages total $50,000, you would receive $40,000. Unlike modified comparative negligence states, Arizona does not bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault. This system applies in both insurance claim negotiations and court proceedings.
What should I do if the other driver in my Tucson accident was uninsured?
If you are hit by an uninsured driver in Arizona, you have several options. First, check if your own auto insurance policy includes uninsured motorist (UM) coverage, which Arizona insurers are required to offer. You can file a claim under your UM coverage to compensate for your injuries and damages. You may also pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the at-fault driver, though collecting may be difficult if they lack assets. Consulting with an attorney can help you determine the most effective strategy for your specific situation.
What types of compensation can I recover after a car accident in Arizona?
Arizona allows car accident victims to recover both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, property damage, and rehabilitation costs. Non-economic damages include pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium. Because Arizona does not cap damages in personal injury cases, there is no statutory limit on the amount you can recover if liability is established.
How do I report a car accident in Tucson?
If your accident results in injury, death, or significant property damage, you should contact the Tucson Police Department or Arizona Highway Patrol at the scene. Under Arizona law, drivers must stop, exchange information, and render reasonable assistance to injured parties. Law enforcement will create an accident report that documents the incident. For accidents on I-10 or other highways within Pima County, the Arizona Highway Patrol typically handles the investigation. You should also report the accident to your insurance company promptly, as most policies require notification within a reasonable time frame after an incident.