Handling the aftermath of a car accident can be overwhelming, especially if you are dealing with injuries, property damage, and insurance companies.

With nearly 120,000 car crashes per year across Arizona, including nearly 3,000 in Peoria, car accident claims represent a serious concern for many people.

There will be a lot of important decisions to make, and the time in which you make these decisions will have a significant impact on your future. Don’t face this difficult situation alone – our experienced Peoria car accident attorneys are here to provide you with the guidance and support you need.

Hutzler Law will be your guide in filing a successful car accident claim and getting the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at (602) 730-4530 for a free consultation and let us handle your legal needs while you focus on your recovery.

Do You Need Help Handling Your Car Accident Claim?

Overwhelmed? Don’t know where to start? We get it!

After a car accident, you will have a lot of important decisions to make. The time in which you make these decisions and the decisions themselves will have a significant impact on your future.

Being proactive is crucial in this situation, saving you time, money, and stress in the long run. Our Phoenix-based car accident attorneys have helped many accident victims get the compensation they deserve while also ensuring their rights are protected. We encourage you to take a look at the many positive reviews of the level of service we provide.

Call our team at (602) 730-4530 today for your free consultation.

Recovering Compensation After a Peoria Car Accident: What to Expect

When you suffer injuries in a Peoria car accident, you will most often pursue compensation through the liable driver’s insurance company. The insurance company, however, may not automatically provide you with the full compensation you would otherwise deserve for those damages. Instead, the insurance company may issue a settlement offer that reflects only a small percentage of the damages you actually sustained in the accident. 

At Hutzler Law, we cannot guarantee the compensation you will recover for your injuries. We can, however, help you take a look at the damages you sustained and how they break down into several key categories, which may determine the compensation you can expect from the insurance company. 

Medical Costs

Your medical costs will often represent the greatest expense you will face following a car accident, especially if you sustained severe injuries in the accident. Serious injuries can include:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Amputations
  • Broken bones
  • Severe lacerations
  • Burns
  • Internal damage

Your medical costs may begin with emergency medical care immediately after the accident. However, depending on the extent of your injuries, you may also have to deal with the cost of follow-up tests and procedures, hospitalization, and ongoing physical and occupational therapy. Not only that, you may know that you have future medical procedures that you will need to deal with down the road. Keep track of all medical bills after your car accident, including copay and deductible amounts you may need to pay at the time of treatment in order to receive care. 

In Arizona, many drivers carry Medical Payments Insurance, also known as MedPay coverage. MedPay insurance will pay for the cost of any medical treatment needed after a car accident, regardless of who caused the accident. If you carry MedPay insurance, you can use that insurance to cover the cost of treatment immediately after the accident. You will need to turn to that coverage before you file an injury claim.

Lost Income

When you suffer serious injuries in a car accident, it can keep you out of work for a long time. The time you have to miss at work can depend on a number of factors, including the type of job you perform, your employer’s policies around working with an injury, and the extent of your injuries. For example, some employers may require you to make a full recovery before you can get back to work, especially if you fill a job role that could place others in danger if you are at less than your best. 

In the meantime, however, you may not have your usual income coming in, which can lead to significant financial hardship. Talk to your lawyer about the wage losses you faced because of your accident. 

Pain and Suffering

Unlike many of the damages you sustain after a car accident, pain and suffering does not have a direct financial component. However, pain and suffering from a car accident can have a significant effect on every area of your life. You may find yourself dealing with not only physical pain due to your injuries, but also emotional anguish due to loss of independence, inability to engage in the activities you usually enjoy, and even changed relationships with friends and loved ones. As part of your Peoria car accident claim, talk to your lawyer about the suffering you have faced. 

Understanding Negligence in a Peoria Car Accident Claim

Whether your accident occurred at a dangerous intersection like 99th Ave and Northern Ave or you suffered injuries in an accident on a residential road, a number of common factors can increase the risk of an accident. In order to determine liability for the accident, your lawyer and the relevant insurance companies will take a close look at all factors that may have contributed to the accident. 

  • Distracted driving. Any time a driver takes their eyes, hands, or attention away from the task of driving while behind the wheel, it constitutes distracted driving. A distracted driver may have a hard time keeping up with what takes place around him on the road and may even miss the presence of other vehicles, pedestrians, or motorcycles. 
  • Ignoring the rules of the road. From traffic lights and signals to speed limits, there are a number of rules that govern driver behavior out on the road. When a driver fails to follow those rules, it can lead to a serious accident. 
  • Drunk driving. More than 100 alcohol-related crashes occur in Peoria each year, according to the Arizona Department of Transportation. Drunk drivers may struggle to control their vehicles and behave unpredictably on the road, making it more difficult for other drivers to avoid them. 
  • Aggressive driving and road rage. Aggressive driving behaviors can include tailgating or trying to push another driver off the road. Road rage incidents can even cause a driver to try to ram another deliberately. 

In addition to accident causes within the driver’s control, some drivers may deal with external factors that can influence the risk of an accident. For example, mechanical failures may cause serious issues out on the road, leaving the company that manufactured the vehicle or a mechanic that recently worked on it, but failed to fix the problem, potentially liable for the accident.

If you have an accident with a driver on the clock, your attorney may examine the employer’s policies and requirements to determine whether they may have contributed to the accident. 

When Do You Need a Lawyer Following a Peoria Car Accident?

Any time you suffer injuries in a Peoria car accident, you need an experienced car accident lawyer on your side. Trying to handle your injury claim on your own may ultimately mean that you do not get the full compensation you deserve for those injuries. Furthermore, you may find that your car accident claim drags out longer when you do not have an attorney advocating on your behalf.

You may also notice several problems in dealing with your claim that indicate you may need to get in touch with a lawyer.

  • You receive a low, early settlement offer. Receiving a settlement offer may, at first, sound like a relief, since it will help alleviate your immediate financial burden. However, if that offer does not reflect the full damages you sustained in the accident, you may need to continue to fight for fair compensation.
  • The insurance company denies liability for the accident or pressures you to accept partial liability. If you accept any liability for the accident, it can reduce the compensation you can recover and make it more difficult for you to manage the financial issues that often crop up after an accident. 
  • The insurance company ignores the extent of your injuries or the treatment you need. The insurance company may try to claim that you did not really need such extensive medical treatment, which would lift the company’s financial liability for those elements. 
  • You have trouble getting in touch with the insurance company. If it proves difficult to get the insurance company to take your calls, or you have a hard time getting information back, you may need a lawyer to help expedite your claim. 
  • The insurance company tries to claim that your injuries did not result from your Peoria car accident. This may prove particularly likely if you did not receive medical care immediately after the accident. However, insurance companies may also try to claim that any injuries from the accident occurred at an earlier time, or that you did not really suffer those injuries at all.

You can also contact a Peoria car accident lawyer if you have any questions about your right to compensation following your accident or as you deal with the insurance company.

Contact a Peoria Car Accident Lawyer at Hutzler Law Today

If you suffered any type of injuries in a Peoria car accident, do not try to handle your claim alone. At Hutzler Law, we start with a free consultation to help you better understand your rights after a car accident.

Furthermore, we accept cases on a contingent fee basis, which means you do not have to pay until we win. Contact us today at (602) 730-4530 to discuss your rights following a Peoria car accident. We are here 24/7 to help you.