Five rules that shape every Phoenix car claim
Two years to file, weeks of evidence. Arizona generally allows two years from the date of a crash to file most injury claims. The evidence that proves fault runs on a much shorter clock — intersection and business camera footage is often overwritten within weeks, vehicles get repaired, and witness memories fade. The deadline describes the courthouse; the evidence window describes your case.
Partial fault reduces a claim — it doesn't end it. Arizona follows pure comparative negligence. If a claimant is found partly at fault, the recovery is reduced by that percentage and is not eliminated. If partial fault comes up in a conversation with an insurer, that's the rule worth knowing.
Your own policy may matter. Arizona insurers are required to offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage. When the other driver has little or no insurance, that coverage on your own policy can be central to the recovery. Your declarations page is worth having in hand for any consultation.
Government entities run on a shorter clock. If a city, county, or state vehicle or roadway condition is involved, a notice of claim must be served within 180 days — far sooner than the general filing deadline. It's worth raising in the first conversation if there's any chance it applies.
A pre-existing condition doesn't disqualify a claim. Arizona law compensates the aggravation of an existing condition — the difference between before the crash and after.
Questions worth asking any firm
What happens in the first week — specifically what gets preserved, and how. Who will be your point of contact, and how often you'll hear from them. Whether the firm reviews your own policy for uninsured and underinsured coverage. Whether the firm prepares cases as if they may need to go the distance, or expects to settle every one. And what the fee agreement says — the contingency percentage, how case costs are handled, and whether anything changes as the case progresses. Any firm should be glad to put those answers in writing.
What "no fee unless we win" should mean
A contingency fee means nothing upfront, nothing hourly, and the firm is paid a percentage of the recovery only if there is one. Firms explain their fees in different ways, and the written agreement is the version that matters. It's reasonable to read it fully before signing, and to ask about anything unclear.
Where we fit
Saguaro Injury Law handles car accident cases across the Phoenix metro from offices throughout the Valley. Details on how we work Phoenix cases are on our Phoenix car accident lawyer page, the law itself is covered in our Arizona car accident guide, and our broader personal injury guide for Phoenix covers vetting for any injury case. A free consultation is available any hour — in English or Spanish. (602) 217-0000.