“Navigating Car Crash Claims in Prescott, Arizona: What You Need to Know”
Navigating Car Crash Claims in Prescott, Arizona: What You Need to Know
If you’ve been injured in a car crash in Prescott, Arizona, it’s important to understand the legal process. Knowing your rights and responsibilities can help ensure that you receive fair compensation for your injuries. This article will provide an overview of what you need to know about navigating car crash claims in Prescott, Arizona.
What Are the Laws in Prescott?
In Prescott, Arizona, it is illegal to drive without insurance. All drivers are required to carry at least the minimum amount of liability coverage, which is $15,000 per person and $30,000 per accident. However, if you have suffered serious injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to recover additional compensation beyond the minimum amount.
Who Is Liable for My Injuries?
The person who caused the accident is typically liable for any injuries sustained by the other party or parties involved in the crash. The at-fault driver must pay for medical bills, property damage, and other expenses related to the accident. If there are multiple drivers involved in the accident, each may be held liable for different amounts of damages depending on their degree of fault.
What Should I Do After an Accident?
It is important to take action as soon as possible after a car accident. Immediately following the crash, contact emergency services if necessary and exchange information with other drivers involved in the accident. Make sure to get contact information from any witnesses who may have seen what happened.
You should also take photos of any damage caused by the crash and make notes about what happened while it’s still fresh in your mind. Finally, seek medical attention if you have been injured; this will help establish a link between your injury and the accident.
Do I Need to Hire a Lawyer?
Hiring an experienced lawyer can be beneficial when filing a car crash claim in Prescott. A lawyer can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive fair compensation for your losses. A lawyer can also handle negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf and provide advice throughout the entire process.
What Kinds of Damages Can I Recover?
Economic damages are those that are financially quantifiable such as medical bills and lost wages due to being unable to work after an accident. Non-economic damages refer to losses that cannot easily be calculated such as pain and suffering or emotional distress caused by an accident. In some cases punitive damages may be available if a driver acted recklessly or with gross negligence leading up to an accident.
Can I Receive Compensation if I Was Partially at Fault?
Under Arizona law, you may still be able to receive compensation even if you were partially at fault for an accident. This is known as comparative negligence; it allows plaintiffs who were partially responsible for causing an accident to still recover some amount of damages from other parties involved in the crash provided they are not found more than 50% at fault for causing the accident.
Conclusion
Navigating car crash claims in Prescott can be a complicated process but understanding your rights and responsibilities can help ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses. Contacting an experienced lawyer is always recommended since they can handle negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf and provide advice throughout the entire process.