Car Accident Lawyers

 If you’ve been in an accident in Arizona and expect your insurance to cover everything without a fight — you may be in for a rude awakening. Arizona is not a no-fault state . Yet, far too many drivers act like it is. They assume their own insurance will handle medical bills and vehicle repairs, regardless of who caused the crash. That’s a costly mistake. Under Arizona’s fault-based insurance system , the at-fault driver is financially responsible. You must prove that someone else caused the wreck to recover compensation. And if you can’t do that — or don’t know how — you could end up footing the bill. This breakdown on Arizona’s crash fault rules clears up what most insurance holders still don’t understand. Insurance Adjusters Count on You Being Confused Insurance companies know most people don’t read the fine print. And they certainly don’t expect drivers to know how comparative negligence works in Arizona. That gives insurers the upper hand. Here’s what happens when you as...

You’d think most Arizona drivers would know the basics of how car insurance works here. But time and time again, claim disputes, delays, and denials reveal the same problem: people don’t understand Arizona’s fault laws. The most common myth? That Arizona is a no-fault state. It’s not. And that mistake can cost you everything after a serious accident. In Arizona, fault isn’t just a moral judgment — it’s a legal requirement for financial recovery. This detailed breakdown of Arizona crash fault laws helps explain what too many people are still getting wrong. The Fallout of Fault Confusion When drivers wrongly believe that their own insurance will cover their injuries no matter what, they often: Fail to collect evidence Delay contacting a lawyer Accept low settlement offers Assume they don’t need to prove fault The result? Claims that stall or get outright denied. Meanwhile, medical bills, missed work, and pain keep piling up. The core principle of Arizona’s system is ...

 Every year, thousands of people move to Arizona — or drive through it — with insurance policies and legal assumptions from their home states. One of the biggest mistakes they make? Believing Arizona is a no-fault state . It isn’t. And assuming otherwise can derail your ability to recover compensation after a crash. In Arizona, the law is crystal clear: the person who causes the accident is liable for damages. This fault-based system requires proof of negligence before any payout can occur. Unfortunately, many out-of-state drivers don’t realize this until they’ve already filed a claim — and had it denied. If you're still unsure about how Arizona determines fault after an accident, this legal breakdown on fault and liability lays it all out. No-Fault Habits Don’t Work Here Someone coming from Pennsylvania, Florida, or Kentucky may be used to filing claims through their own insurance regardless of fault. That instinct doesn’t help here. In Arizona, if you're rear-ended, t-...

 A green light should be simple. It signals permission to move forward. But in Tempe’s fast-paced and often unpredictable traffic system, a green light doesn’t always mean it’s safe to go. Intersection crashes often happen precisely because one driver takes a green too literally—without assessing the situation around them. These are the kinds of mistakes that lead to serious collisions, especially during left turns, rush hour surges, and yellow-phase roll-throughs. Many victims assume they’re protected by the light alone. But Arizona law—and insurance adjusters—look beyond the signal to determine fault. If you've been injured in one of these misunderstood green-light crashes, a Tempe car accident lawyer can help clarify your rights and push back when insurers try to shift blame unfairly. Why Green Isn’t Always Safe in Tempe Traffic The issue isn’t the green light—it’s the assumption that it guarantees right of way in every context. In Tempe, where intersections are often com...

  Multi-car collisions are some of the most confusing and legally complex accidents that happen on Tempe roads. When more than two vehicles are involved in a crash—especially on congested streets like Loop 202, Mill Avenue, or Rural Road—assigning fault becomes anything but straightforward. While you might assume the car that caused the initial impact is fully responsible, that’s not always how Arizona law (or insurance companies) sees it. If you've been involved in one of these chain-reaction crashes, a Tempe-based car accident lawyer can help sort through the layers of fault and liability. What Is a Multi-Vehicle Pileup? A multi-vehicle pileup typically involves three or more vehicles and can occur in several ways: Chain-reaction rear-end crashes (Car A hits Car B, who hits Car C) Sudden braking on highways or intersections Secondary crashes caused by swerving or avoiding another wreck Weather or visibility-related pileups In urban areas like Tempe, these oft...

 Rear-end collisions are often assumed to be “open and shut” cases: the driver in back is at fault, the driver in front is innocent. But in Tempe, and under Arizona law, fault isn’t always that simple. In some cases, even if you’re rear-ended while stopped at a red light, you may still be assigned partial fault . How? It depends on the details—and they matter more than most drivers realize. This kind of legal nuance is exactly why many crash victims reach out to a car accident lawyer early. It’s not about being defensive—it’s about understanding how Arizona's comparative fault system works and protecting your right to full compensation. Wait—How Can the Front Driver Be at Fault? It may sound unfair, but yes—it is legally possible in Arizona for a driver who is rear-ended to share some level of blame. Here's how that can happen: Brake lights weren’t working The front driver suddenly reversed The car was partially in a travel lane without hazard lights The drive...

 You don’t expect the airbag. Or the silence after impact. Or how quickly everything becomes complicated. One second you’re merging onto the 101. The next, your coffee’s spilled, your heart’s racing, and someone’s shouting across lanes asking if you’re okay. If you’re reading this, odds are you’re dealing with that moment—or the fallout. You’re not alone. Tempe has some of the busiest roads in Arizona. Between college traffic, ride-shares, construction zones, and drivers who treat yellow lights like suggestions, collisions happen more often than most people realize. But while crashes may be common, the experience of getting justice afterward? That’s anything but routine. Most people hit a wall right away. The insurance company says they’re “reviewing your claim.” The mechanic quotes a wait time of three weeks. You feel fine the first day, but by the third, you can’t turn your neck without wincing. Your job wants paperwork. Your family wants updates. You want someone— anyone —t...

 You didn’t wake up this morning thinking you’d be rear-ended on Baseline. Or clipped by a distracted Uber driver near Rural Road. But here you are—sore, overwhelmed, and wondering what happens next. This is the part where people get stuck. Not because they don’t care, but because car accidents create a unique kind of fog. One moment you’re driving to get lunch. The next, your bumper’s mangled, your adrenaline’s crashing, and someone with a clipboard is asking if you’ve “spoken with your insurance yet.” Pause. Take a breath. Because this next decision matters more than you think. Most people do what feels polite. They exchange information, downplay their injuries, and try to “handle it” themselves. The result? They end up stuck with bills they shouldn’t be paying, fighting for a fraction of what they deserve—sometimes for months or even years. Here’s the truth no one tells you until it’s too late: the insurance companies already have their team working against you the moment yo...

 Let’s skip the legal fluff. You got in a car accident in Tempe. Maybe it was on University Drive. Maybe it was on the 202. Either way, here’s what matters: You’re hurt. You’re shaken up. And someone’s insurance adjuster is already thinking about how to pay you less. Most people make two mistakes here: They wait too long to act. They think the insurance company will “take care of it.” They won’t. Here's what you actually need to do: ✅ Document everything — photos, medical visits, who hit you. ✅ Don’t post on social. (Insurance companies will use it.) ✅ And most importantly: get a Tempe car accident attorney involved before giving any statements. Not just any lawyer. A local one. Someone who knows Tempe PD, the claims adjusters, and the Maricopa court system like the back of their hand. The Difference Between $4,000 and $40,000 Could Be One Call Insurance companies bank on the fact that you’re stressed and uninformed. That’s how they lowball you — an...

  Introduction The tragic crash that occurred on September 17, 2024, on Priest Drive near Loop 202 in Tempe, Arizona, claimed the life of 19-year-old Sheena Westerlund and left two others seriously injured. As the legal investigation continues, this case raises significant questions about fault determination and civil liability in the absence of impairment or excessive speed. Victims and families facing similar circumstances may benefit from immediate legal guidance from an experienced Tempe car accident attorney . Facts of the Case Around 5:30 p.m., Tempe Police responded to a two-vehicle collision on Priest Drive, a major arterial route in the city. Upon arrival, officers found one fatality and two individuals suffering serious injuries. The deceased, Sheena Westerlund, was a 19-year-old passenger. Authorities quickly confirmed that neither impairment nor speeding appeared to be factors in the crash. At the time of reporting, the exact cause of the collision remained under invest...

  Introduction The November 3, 2024, multi-vehicle chain-reaction crash on Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway near Scottsdale Road in Tempe, Arizona, resulted in the tragic death of 55-year-old Rachel Marie Moss and severe injuries to another individual. This case highlights the complex legal dynamics inherent in multi-vehicle collisions and underscores the necessity for immediate and expert legal counsel, such as a qualified Tempe car accident attorney . Facts of the Case At approximately 3 a.m., a white car collided with the rear end of a gray Honda SUV traveling westbound on Loop 202, causing the SUV to become immobilized and obstruct the freeway. This initial collision initiated a chain reaction, with a subsequent collision involving a gray Audi striking the already disabled SUV. A third collision ensued involving a gray Ford passenger vehicle, which collided with both previously involved vehicles and two individuals who had exited their vehicles. Rachel Marie Moss, standing outside...

  Introduction The 2024 wrong-way driving incident near Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe, Arizona, underscores critical challenges in public safety, traffic law enforcement, and emergency response protocols. This detailed legal analysis highlights significant issues raised by this incident and emphasizes the importance of consulting with a qualified Tempe car accident attorney in similar cases. Facts of the Case On November 17, 2024, at approximately 4:35 a.m., an unidentified driver bypassed a freeway closure on Interstate 10 (I-10), proceeding eastbound against traffic flow on westbound Baseline Road. Observing this dangerous violation, a Department of Public Safety (DPS) trooper initiated pursuit to intercept the vehicle. The pursuit concluded dramatically when the suspect entered the northeast parking lot of Arizona Mills Mall. The DPS trooper performed a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver, successfully immobilizing the vehicle. The suspect attempted to escape on foo...