Thousands of people are injured in auto accidents throughout Arizona each year. Injuries can range from minor to fatal, but in almost all circumstances, someone is to blame. Whether it is a lack of attention to the road, fatigue, or even alcohol or drug-related, serious crashes are usually due to someone being negligent and failing to follow the basic rules of the road. When this happens, the results can be catastrophic. Contact our Glendale car accident lawyers today.
Car accident injuries can lead to expensive medical bills, loss of income, and ongoing physical pain and suffering. If you’ve been hurt in a car wreck in Glendale, Arizona, turn to the legal team at Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C.. Our team takes a compassionate, service-based approach to help injured clients and their families recover after serious Glendale auto accidents.
Schedule a consultation with our experienced Glendale, Arizona accident attorneys today to discuss the details of your crash. From our offices in Scottsdale, Surprise, and Sun City, Arizona, we make it easy and convenient for car accident victims to get the help they need.
How Our Glendale Car Accident Lawyers Can Help You
At Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C., our Glendale car accident lawyers are committed to fighting for the maximum compensation our clients deserve. Our law office takes a full-service approach to handling car accident claims, with the goal of taking the pressure off our clients.
When you trust our law firm to handle your personal injury claim, here are a few of the ways that we will work to help resolve your case:
Complete a Thorough Car Accident Case Evaluation
One of the first things that will happen when you contact our law firm is you will meet with a knowledgeable Glendale car accident attorney to discuss what happened. Your attorney will explain the law and how it applies to your case, but this is primarily a time for you to provide as much detail and information as possible about how the crash occurred, who was involved, and what injuries you’ve suffered. Here are some of the things you should bring to your initial consultation, if possible:
- Police crash report
- Any medical records or bills you’ve received
- Any notes you have regarding discussions with anyone (the other driver, witnesses, insurance adjusters, etc.)
- Health insurance cards
- Driver’s license
- Your own insurance policy information
- Contact and insurance information for the at-fault driver
- Any photos or videos you’ve taken of the scene or the vehicles
- Names and contact information for any witnesses or parties to the crash
Launch an Independent Accident Investigation
Once you’ve provided your attorney with all of the information you have, we will launch an investigation into exactly what happened and begin collecting evidence to support your claim. Investigations can take time. Our attorneys will need to interview witnesses, gather additional information, and even visit the scene in person. Sometimes private investigators are used to gather information, as well.
You should expect that your Glendale car accident lawyer will follow up with more questions and updates for you as the investigation proceeds.
Conduct an Extensive Accident Medical Review
As you are recovering from your injuries, you will likely have ongoing medical care. Many accident victims spend months in treatment, receiving multiple MRIs, X-rays, CT scans, chiropractic care, physical therapy, pain management therapy, and other medical care. Your attorney will be following your medical care very closely.
In some cases (especially where treatment is unique or complex), your attorney may consult with highly trained experts, like orthopedic surgeons, nurse consultants, and other specialists, all in an attempt to build the strongest possible case.
Aggressively Negotiate During Accident Settlement Talks
Once your case is ready for negotiations, your attorney can begin strategic talks with the insurance company. Your attorney will handle all communications with the insurance companies and the opposing party’s attorneys. You can focus on your physical health and spending time with loved ones, while your attorney focuses on your case.
Work with You to Address Government Liens and Medical Bills
Of course, no personal injury case would be resolved without discussing liens. When a medical provider treats you for your injuries, that provider has a legal right to be paid. This is often secured by placing a lien on your case. This means that the provider must be paid back before you can receive payment.
Our experienced attorneys negotiate these liens and work to minimize their impact on our clients’ overall financial recovery. Keep in mind that some liens can be very powerful and difficult to resolve without a high level of experience and knowledge of state and federal laws.
For instance, Medicare asserts liens on recoveries when Medicare has paid for care relating to an auto accident. These liens can sometimes include a lot of unrelated care. Your attorney can work to dispute unfair and unrelated Medicare liens as well.
Fight for Your Rights in Court
If the insurance company simply will not treat you fairly or make a reasonable car accident settlement offer to resolve your case, litigation may be necessary. Our respected law firm has the resources and the manpower to take your case to trial and fight in court to force the insurance company to pay just and reasonable compensation.
Manage Collection If the Defendant Refuses to Pay
Once a judgment is rendered against a defendant, sometimes defendants still refuse to pay. Even some insurance companies will refuse to pay in the proper amount of time. If this happens, rest assured our relentless legal team will work hard to collect your judgment from the defendant and the insurance company.
What Are the Most Dangerous Intersections in Glendale?
Driving is not always safe in Glendale and surrounding areas in Arizona. You can encounter a negligent driver on any street or highway and be left with a damaged car, medical bills, loss of income and other serious problems. The Arizona Department of Transportation reports that in Glendale, between 2014 and 2016, there were:
- 15,474 total crashes (5,158 per year on average)
- 4,438 injury crashes (1,479 per year)
- 72 fatal crashes (24 per year)
Of course, intersections can be the most dangerous places to drive in any city, including Glendale. The convergence of vehicle traffic coming from different directions, lights, signs, crosswalks, pedestrians, and bicyclists greatly raises the risk of a collision. Some intersections are worse than others. Those intersections tend to be ones that are near shopping centers and high schools or along major roadways.
The Arizona Republic reports that, based on Glendale Police Department crash data from 2014 to 2016, the following are the 10 most dangerous intersections in Glendale:
- Bell Road and 59th Avenue
- Bell Road and 67th Avenue
- Bell Road and 83rd Avenue
- Thunderbird Road and 59th Avenue
- Olive Avenue and 51st Avenue
- Olive Avenue and 59th Avenue
- Northern Avenue and 51st Avenue
- Northern Avenue and 59th Avenue
- Bethany Home Road and 59th Avenue
- Bethany Home Road and 67th Avenue
If you suffered injuries in a crash at an intersection in Glendale, and you suspect that another driver’s negligence caused the collision, you should get help immediately from an experienced car accident lawyer.
What Compensation is Available After a Glendale Car Accident?
Of course, no one can tell you exactly what your auto accident case is worth right off the bat. This is because every case is entirely unique, and it takes time to get a clear picture of how your injuries will affect you in the future.
As part of building your case for compensation, an experienced Glendale car accident injury lawyer can help you calculate your possible damages and losses in order to better understand your options. The law allows you to be compensated for a variety of losses. For instance, you might be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Past medical expenses
- Reasonably anticipated future medical expenses
- Lost earnings
- Diminished ability to work and earn income in the future
- Permanent disfigurement or disability
- Adaptive housing or vehicle improvements that are necessary due to an injury
- Damage to your vehicle in the crash
When a loved one dies as a result of an auto accident, the family may be entitled to compensation for additional items, such as:
- Funeral expenses
- Burial costs
- Lost support
- Loss of society and companionship
If you suspect that negligence played a role in a loved one’s death, then you owe it to yourself and your family to contact a car accident lawyer in Glendale, Arizona.
What Do You Do If You Are in a Car Accident in Arizona?
Most people have no idea what they should do if they are in a motor vehicle accident. The fact is, nothing can actually prepare you for the shock and confusion that can come from being involved in a serious crash. You may feel stunned, you may be in pain, and you may be angry. Regardless of the emotions, you are feeling, there are a few simple steps you can take right away that will help you in the long run.
Get Medical Help After a Car Crash
Many injuries from a car accident can have delayed symptoms. It’s a good idea to immediately do a self-assessment to see if you have any broken bones, pain, sensitivity, dizziness, or other symptoms that require medical attention. You should see a doctor as soon as possible after a crash to identify any problems and begin the appropriate treatment.
Call 911 After a Car Accident
Do not let someone tell you the police are unnecessary. This is foolish. Police and first responders should be immediately called. There are important reasons for calling 911:
- Police can help diffuse tension and reduce the chance of road rage incidents.
- Police can secure the scene and prevent further accidents.
- Police can get traffic moving again.
- Police will document the crash, create an official report of the collision, and often issue citations to the at-fault driver.
- First responders can check for injuries and provide an initial assessment.
Gather Evidence After a Car Wreck
If you are able to do so at the scene, there are a few key pieces of evidence that you can collect to help support your claim:
- Photos of the vehicle, including the damage and positioning
- Photos of your injuries
- Photos of any road conditions or traffic signals/signs that were a factor in the crash
- Names and contact information for witnesses, as well as the at-fault driver
- A copy of the police accident report
What Are Common Types of Motor Vehicle Accidents in Glendale?
Over the years, our law firm has handled many types of motor vehicle accidents. A few of the most common types of cases we have successfully resolved involve:
Rear-End Collision
Between cellphones, radios, eating in the car, and other distractions, rear-end collisions are one of the most frequently experienced types of car accidents. People simply fail to pay attention, drive too fast for road conditions, and tailgate too closely. These things all lead to rear-end collisions.
Never let anyone tell you that rear-end collisions are all minor. In truth, many of these accidents cause serious and permanent injuries. In fact, many people die each year as a result of rear-end collisions.
T-Bone Crashes
A T-bone collision occurs when one vehicle hits the side of another vehicle in a squarely perpendicular manner. This typically occurs at intersections when one driver runs a red light or stop sign. It can also happen when someone pulls out in front of another vehicle, thus violating a right-of-way. These can be extremely serious crashes, and many fatalities are a result of T-bone collisions.
Merge Accidents
It’s important to use caution when merging onto a highway or attempting to change lanes. Again, distracted driving often plays a role in these crashes. If one car begins to change lanes, it can side-swipe another vehicle. When two vehicles strike each other at highway speeds, it can result in a loss of control, rollover accidents, and deadly crashes.
What Are Common Injuries from Glendale Car Wrecks?
Depending on the type of crash and the severity, the list of injuries people suffer is practically endless. Nevertheless, the most frequent types of injuries experienced in auto accidents are the following:
- Whiplash (neck injuries)
- Back and spine (e.g., spinal cord, nerve, disc injuries, etc.)
- Head traumas
- Traumatic brain injuries (concussion, etc.)
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Torn muscles and ligaments
- Bruising and swelling
- Psychological injuries (depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, etc.)
- Cuts, scrapes, lacerations, glass injuries, and so forth
No matter what type of injury you suffered, the fact remains that if you were not at fault, then the person who caused your injuries should be held accountable. Although nothing can undo the harm and the pain that you are suffering, compensation can help ease the stress and make you financially whole again.
Is Arizona a “Fault” State for Motor Vehicle Accidents?
In general, there are two types of insurance laws in America. A handful of states follow a so-called “no-fault” law, where each driver is responsible for carrying a special type of car insurance that covers their minor injuries up to a point, no matter who is at fault for a crash. In most crashes, neither side is able to sue the other side unless they can prove that their injuries exceed that policy threshold or a state-mandated amount.
The majority of states, however, follow the “fault” rule. In these states, people are held responsible for their own actions. Whoever is at fault in causing the crash is responsible for the harm that is done to others. So, if you are injured in one of these states, then you can bring your claim directly with the other driver’s insurance company without having to first bring a claim against your own insurance company. Arizona follows this fault rule, allowing people to sue negligent parties directly and bring claims against the other driver’s insurance company.
Contact a Glendale Car Accident Lawyer Today
With years of experience representing injured people throughout Arizona, the car accident lawyers in Glendale of Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. are here when you need us the most. We are devoted to helping our clients demand maximum compensation for their injuries.
Auto accident consultations are always free, and we never collect an attorney fee unless we are able to recover compensation for your injuries. So you truly have nothing to lose.
Remember, there are strict time limits on filing a car accident lawsuit for your injuries. The state of Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations for injury claims. If you wait too long to take action, you could forever lose your right to be compensated. So don’t delay. Contact us today to schedule your consultation, and find out what Mushkatel, Gobbato, & Kile, P.L.L.C. can do for you.