Personal Injury Law

After a car accident, many people feel overwhelmed. Their days are spent going from one doctor to the next, trying to diagnose why they feel acute pain. When not explaining their symptoms to a doctor, they are struggling to find income to help them pay their medical expenses, their bills and get their car fixed. In short, accident victims have a lot on their mind. One important step for all car accident victims, is to secure the help of an experienced San Luis car accident attorney.

Karnas Law Firm, PLLC, is an established personal injury law firm with decades of experience with car crashes in the San Luis area. If you’re car accident victim, call our firm to contact a member of our team about filing suit for your car crash and receiving maximum compensation from the insurance company. A SanLuis car accident attorney can meet for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights. It is possible to have car accident attorneys obtain financial compensation for car repairs and other bills. We’ll explain how.

Do You Need a Car Accident Lawyer?

a man and officer talk at the scene of an automobile accident in San Luis, AZ

Accident victims might qualify for compensation, but they’ll need to negotiate with insurance companies in court to get what they deserve. You should hire a lawyer if:

  • You suffered a painful bodily injury like a fracture, head injury, back injury, or nerve damage.

  • You have spent thousands of dollars on medical care.

  • You missed work because of your injury.

  • There are disputes about who is to blame for the accident.

  • You are struggling with depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder following your wreck.

Although some of injured people can handle property-damage only collisions, anything involving death or a serious bodily injury deserves legal help in their personal injury lawsuit.

Compensation for Car Accidents

motor vehicle accidents in San Luis Obispo County

Arizona requires that drivers carry liability insurance when they register their vehicles. This insurance covers bodily injuries and property damage when the driver is to blame resulting damages from motor vehicle accidents. For example, if you struck a pedestrian, an insurance company could make a claim on your liability coverage.

This insurance is fault based. You can only submit a claim if the other driver is at fault for the crash.

We seek car accident damages for:

  1. Out-of-pocket financial losses, such as damage to your car, medical care for bodily injuries, mental health counseling, and lost income.

  2. Non-economic damages such as emotional distress, disfigurement, pain, and suffering.

  3. Punitive damages when a driver acted with an evil mind, such as intentionally hurting you.

A common question is, “How much do I qualify for?” The answer depends on the facts of your car accident case. Let us review your medical bills, paystubs, and other information to calculate a fair settlement.

Car Accident Evidence

man taking a picture of his car accident for evidence

Our lawyers use various types of evidence to make a car accident claim. Our goal is to recreate the car crash in as much detail as possible so everyone can see who is to blame. Many accidents are caused by some driver error—tailgating, speeding, or passing around a bend. Unfortunately, motorists rarely admit that they are to blame, so we must use evidence in support of your claim:

  • Witness statement. Anyone who saw the accident can testify about what they observed. This is one reason to talk to witnesses after a crash.

  • Video of the crash. A car might have a dashcam which ended up recording the accident. Or the accident could have happened near a gas station, which has cameras pointed toward the road.

  • Car damage. The dents and smears on a car help us reconstruct the accident. Don’t get your car fixed until you speak to an attorney, who might want to inspect your vehicle.

  • Breathalyzer results. A drunk driver might have crashed into you. We can seek to use the results of any breathalyzer or urine test.

  • Cell phone records. A motorist could have hit you while texting and driving. We might request their cell records to see when they were on the phone.

What Should You Do after an Accident in San Luis?

a woman in San Luis with her hands on her head after a car accident.

Our car accident lawyer strongly recommend to clients and accident victims do the following to improve their chances of a settlement:

  • Stop your car immediately after the crash. Arizona law requires that you do this.

  • Report your accident to the police. The police should send an officer to the scene to write up a police report.

  • Obtain medical care for anyone who needs an ambulance. Some injuries are immediately painful and possibly life-threatening. Call emergency services to request an ambulance.

  • Swap information with the other driver. You should request name, license, registration, and insurance details.

  • Do not admit fault. Anything could be construed as you accepting responsibility for the crash. You should avoid extended conversations.

  • Document your accident scene. We recommend taking pictures of the cars. Get one picture before you pull them to the side of the road. Also talk with witnesses and ask for a phone number or email.

  • Visit the hospital when you are finished. Once you are done at the scene, you should head to the hospital. Tell the staff where you feel pain. Also watch how you feel in the following weeks and head back whenever you notice new symptoms. Some car accident injuries are slow to develop.

  • Consult an accident lawyer. Our firm can handle your insurance claim, fill out forms, and negotiate on your behalf. Hire a lawyer sooner rather than later.

The Role of Comparative Fault

Many accidents are the fault of both drivers. One or other drivers might have been drunk or speeding, while the other failed to use a turn signal or made some other error. In this type of car accident case, both are to blame.

Arizona’s comparative fault law is generous. You can sue so long as someone else is at least a little to blame. That’s the tradeoff: your compensation is lowered by your share of fault.

A Car Accident Lawyer in San Luis Is Standing By

Anyone injured in an automobile accident, should search for experienced car accident attorneys. Karnas Law Firm has separated from other vehicles in the back thanks to our deep experience in car accidents and our strong negotiation skills. If hired, our attorney will handle all the legal work in your case, allowing you to spend time focused on healing. Call us to schedule a free consultation to seek compensation. A lawyer representing victims in San Luis Obispo County will answer any questions you have and explain more about how we can help.

Karnas Law Firm, PLLC
565 S. 4th Ave
Yuma, AZ 85364
928.723.0088