Skip to content
Phoenix car accident lawyer

Phoenix Car Accident Lawyers, Arizona

Fighting for drivers, passengers, and pedestrians injured in a car crash in Maricopa County, Arizona

Car accidents cause many different types of injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and bicycle riders. Just one moment of distraction or one speeding driver can change your life forever or end the life of a loved one. Drivers owe a duty to everyone on the road, not only to follow the Arizona traffic laws, but also adjust their speed and control of their vehicle for every type of traffic and weather condition.

At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our lawyers fight for justice. Since 1991, our Phoenix car accident lawyers have successfully obtained large verdicts and settlements for our clients because we invest substantial time and resources into each and every case. Our skilled legal team includes Board Certified Personal Injury and Wrongful Death specialists. Call us today to learn how we can help you.

"Warm, caring people that go the extra mile. They'll tell you exactly what the situation is and what to expect. I can't thank them enough for all of their help!"

-  Andrea Sarich, 5.0 rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
[Google Review]

Practice Areas

Plattner-FAQ

How can we help?

Speak with an experienced Phoenix car accident lawyer as soon as possible for a free consultation

How often do car accidents happen in Arizona?

There were 1,307 traffic fatalities in Arizona in 2023. While this number is slightly lower than the 1,320 deaths recorded in 2022, it represents the second-highest annual fatality total ever recorded in the state. It's important to note that these figures account for all types of traffic accidents on all roads in Arizona, not just car accidents.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), in 2023, there were a total of 122,247 car accidents across all roadways in Arizona. This information comes from the Arizona Department of Transportation's annual Motor Vehicle Crash Facts report. This represents a 1.6% increase from the 120,356 accidents reported in 2022

In 2023, alcohol was a significant factor in traffic fatalities in Arizona. Out of the 1,307 total traffic deaths, 332 were classified as alcohol-related, accounting for 25.4% of all fatalities. This marks a concerning trend as alcohol-related fatalities have been increasing for the past four years.
Here are some key insights from the sources about alcohol's role in these accidents:

  • The majority of alcohol-related crashes involved male drivers, who accounted for 72.7% of these incidents.
  • Drivers between the ages of 25 and 34 were most frequently involved in alcohol-related fatal crashes, representing 35.4% of the total.
Phoenix Arizona Personal Injury Lawyers
Plattner-Rule

What types of car accidents lead to injuries?

Any type of accident can lead to injuries, but some types of crashes can result in more serious or life-threatening physical trauma:

  • Rear-end collisions. Rear-end collisions occur when one vehicle crashes into the back of another vehicle. These incidents often result from drivers failing to maintain an adequate distance between their car and the vehicle ahead of them. While there is a widely-held belief that the driver of the rear-ending vehicle is always at fault, there are numerous circumstances where the rear-ended driver may be found liable for the accident.
  • Sideswipes. Sideswiping occurs when the sides of two vehicles come into contact with one another. This most commonly happens when two people are driving beside one another, and one carelessly changes lanes without checking to ensure that the lane is clear. These incidents may also result when a distracted driver negligently drifts into another lane of traffic. Sideswipes can be severe due to the limited amount of space and protection on the sides of vehicles.
  • Head-on collisions. These are usually the most violent types of accidents, as they often happen at high levels of speed. Head-on collisions occur when the fronts of two or more vehicles collide. They can result when a driver drifts into oncoming traffic, fails to properly negotiate a turn, or loses control of the vehicle. The force of the impact can be even more devastating when one vehicle is significantly larger than the other, such as a passenger car and a delivery truck.
  • T-bone collisions. This type of impact involves the front end of one car and the side of another. These accidents commonly occur when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign or traffic light. All parties in a T-bone collision are at risk of severe injury, but the driver and/or passengers of the car hit in the side are in particularly vulnerable positions. The lack of protection within the car door can result in fatal injuries.
  • Rollovers. Rollovers occur when a vehicle tips to one side and rolls over onto one side or the roof. These accidents generally happen when a vehicle impacts a foreign object, like a curb. Defective tires and unreasonably high speeds can also cause a car to roll over and fatally injure occupants.

We also represent victims and the families of victims in injury claims stemming from:

Arizona-1300-b

What kinds of injuries happen in Phoenix car accidents?

When you get into a little “fender bender,” the thing that hurts the most is usually your pride. A serious car accident, however, can lead to life-altering injuries. Our Phoenix car accident attorneys help people who have suffered:

  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). A collision with another car or a stationary object can cause your head to hit the window, the steering wheel, the dashboard, or the back of your seat with enough force that it leads to a TBI.
  • Loss of limb. Crushing injuries are common in serious impact car crashes, and those injuries may result in the loss of your limb. This is also a serious concern for pedestrians and cyclists who are hit by drivers.
  • Permanent disfigurement. Burns and lacerations can cause permanent scars, or leave you disfigured. A severe burn could require massive medical adjustments in your home, too, if you are unable to properly maintain your own body temperature.
  • Paralysis or spinal injuries. The impact of a collision with another car or with a stationary object can lead to serious spinal cord injuries. Among the most devastating are partial and total paralysis, which may leave you needing around-the-clock care and home modifications (like a wheelchair ramp) or necessitate long-term physical therapy.
  • Organ damage and internal bleeding. If you are pierced by an object in a crash, or by a defective auto product (such as Takata’s exploding airbags), you may sustain permanent organ damage. This could land you on a transplant list, and it is likely to necessitate emergency surgery. If you are bleeding internally, it is imperative that doctors discover it right away, or it could be fatal.
  • Back and neck injuries. These injuries are also commonly associated with car crashes. These injuries can vary in severity, depending on the type of crash and place of bodily impact. Our Phoenix car accident attorneys have worked with numerous victims of back and neck injuries, including:
    • Herniated discs. The impact of a car accident can cause complications with the discs between the individual vertebrae of the spine, according to the Mayo Clinic. These individual bones stack up to form the spine. When the rubbery discs are injured, it can cause extensive pain in the back, thighs, or buttocks. When the rupture occurs in the neck, the pain mostly affects the arms and shoulders. Victims may also experience numbness, tingling sensations, and muscle weakness.
  • Spinal cord damage. When auto accidents result in spinal cord injuries, victims can be left with various levels of partial paralysis. Depending on the location of the injury on the spine, an individual may experience temporary, partial paralysis up to permanent paralysis, affecting the majority of the body.

What is the relationship between car crashes and traumatic brain injuries?

The Centers for Disease Control reports that, in 2019, 223,000 people were hospitalized for a traumatic brain injury. Further, 176 people died from a traumatic brain injury, on average, each day in 2020. Car accidents are a leading cause of TBIs.

Our lawyers understand the complexities of a brain injury and how to develop a case that adequately communicates the severity of these injuries to the defendant and a court of law, if necessary. Throughout our years of service, we have seen numerous auto accident-related brain injury cases including:

  • Penetration of the skull. The impact of a car crash may send a foreign object into the car, penetrating the head of a driver or passenger. This type of “open” head wound injury can cause substantial damage to the victim’s brain tissue. Depending on the location of the impact to the brain, this type of injury may lead to seizures, coma, and paralysis. Open wound brain injury victims are also susceptible to infections.
  • Brain movement. The impact of a vehicle crash can cause the victim’s head to hit against the dashboard or steering wheel of the car. This can cause the brain to move around violently and bump against the inside of the skull. Brain movement can lead to bruising of the brain tissue. Victims may experience memory loss, severe headaches, loss of vision, and mood deviations.
  • Brain bleed. Brain movement may also lead to bleeding within the brain. Sometimes, this hemorrhaging is not immediately noticed, which can worsen the condition significantly. This type of injury can lead to weakness of the facial muscles, speech complications, and difficulty with movement.

While back and head injuries are not the only type of injury that can result from an auto accident, they are some of the most common. At our firm, you can count on our Phoenix car accident lawyers to fight for your rights following a crash.

What are common causes of car crashes in Phoenix?

It is essential to determine how your car accident happened so that the right people and entities can be held accountable. When fault is clear, our litigators can clearly demonstrate to a jury, judge, or insurance adjustor that the victim’s injuries were caused by the accident. Some of the more common causes of accidents on Interstates 10, 17, and 40, Arizona Routes 202 and 206, and other Arizona roads include:

If the insurance companies try to deny your claim, or if your injuries are more extensive than the policy limits will cover, we can help you create a new plan forward. When drivers, vehicle manufacturers, and other parties deliberately or recklessly fail to consider the safety of others, our Phoenix car collision lawyers bring punitive damages to hold accountable the person or business that committed such an extreme wrong.

Plattner-Rule

What are the most dangerous Phoenix intersections for pedestrians?

According to AZ Central, almost 100 pedestrians are killed each year in Phoenix. Based on their research, there are 12 streets with “at least 10 serious collisions or five deaths within 300 feet of each other.” Those roads are:

  • 27th Avenue north of Bethany Home Road
  • McDowell Road, from 40th to 43rd streets
  • Northern Avenue near 12th Street
  • Seventh Avenue near Buckeye Road
  • Indian School Road, from Seventh to 12th Streets
  • Indian School Road, from 19th to 23rd Avenues
  • The area of 35th and Glendale Avenues
  • Camelback Road, from 19th Avenue to Interstate 17
  • Near 27th Avenue and Indian School Road
  • 19th Avenue near Dunlap Avenue
  • 35th Avenue, from Grand to Glenrosa Avenues
  • Thomas Road, from Central Avenue to Third Street
Plattner-Rule

Who is responsible for a car accident in Phoenix?

Our Phoenix car accident attorneys understand that the driver often is not the only party at fault. We bring claims against everyone involved in causing the accident so we can hold them accountable. Often, these other parties are the ones who have a better ability to pay for the accident through their insurance or their company assets. In addition to the driver, it may be prudent to bring a claim against:

  • The owner of the car, truck, or vehicle that caused the accident
  • A manufacturer, distributor, or seller of a defective vehicle or vehicle part such as a defective seatbelt
  • A restaurant or bar that served liquor to someone who they reasonably knew was intoxicated
  • The state of Arizona, a county, or any government or business entity that was responsible for the faulty design or subpar maintenance of the road
  • A shipping company that unduly pressured its truck drivers to put profit ahead of driver safety
Arizona Personal Injury Attorneys
Plattner-Rule

Do you handle wrongful death claim for fatal accidents?

While most people walk away from car accidents with minor injuries, the most serious incidents rob victims of their lives. When death results, the victim’s family may have a wrongful death claim for compensation. Depending on the details of your case, it may be appropriate to seek compensation from several responsible parties, including:

  • The driver of the other car
  • The car manufacturer
  • The manufacturer of a specific car part
  • The driver’s employer
  • The owner of the involved vehicle
  • The government agency in charge of the roadway

Any of these parties may be proven liable for the death of your loved one.

At Plattner Verderame, P.C., our clients with wrongful death claims benefit from the services of highly skilled attorneys who dedicate their time and resources to the well-being of each and every client. We pride ourselves on providing the people of Arizona with trustworthy representation for honest victims with real injuries. Each of our three partners has been Certified by the Arizona State Bar as Specialists in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation. This hard-earned distinction means that our clients receive a quality representation that they can trust.

Plattner-Rule

Why do you need a Phoenix car accident lawyer on your side?

Every day, hundreds of innocent people are injured in automobile accidents across the state of Arizona. The severity of these incidents ranges from minor fender benders to serious or fatal injuries.

Car crash cases can be challenging to pursue for several reasons. The complexity of a crash can make the investigation process difficult, especially if multiple vehicles are involved. In addition, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may prove uncooperative. Adjustors may refuse to communicate or attempt to delay negotiations. They often use a variety of tactics to avoid payment of the compensation that surviving families deserve. When communicating with insurance companies, it is vitally important to have experienced Phoenix injury attorneys speaking on your behalf. We understand the tactics used by these companies and how to effectively counter them.

Plattner-Rule

Do you have a Phoenix car accident attorney near me?

Our Phoenix office is conveniently located at 316 E Flower St., Phoenix, AZ 85012. We meet clients away from the office when necessary.

Plattner-Rule

Speak with an experienced Phoenix car accident lawyer as soon as possible for a free consultation

Plattner Verderame, P.C. fights for honest people with honest injuries. We are experienced lawyers who thoroughly prepare each case for a jury trial. We only settle when the negotiation is fair, and you consent. For help now, call our Phoenix car accident lawyers at 602-266-2002 or complete our contact form today to arrange a free consultation. We take car accident cases on a contingency fee basis. We maintain an additional office in Tempe for your convenience and serve clients throughout Maricopa County.

Related Articles

Car Accident Informational Videos

 

Phoenix Office

316 E Flower St.
Phoenix, AZ 85012
Phone: 602-266-2002

[Directions]

What, Where, When, Why - Car Accident Frequently Asked Questions

Video Collection

Meet the AttorneysCommon QuestionsPersonal Injury
Auto AccidentsSexual Harassment