Phoenix Personal Injury Attorney

On This Page

• Compensation for an Injury
• How Much Time Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim in Phoenix?
• Do You Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
• Where Do Most Phoenix Personal Injury Accidents Happen?
• Contingency Fees for Personal Injury Claims
• Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Phoenix
• Frequently Asked Questions

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was caused by someone else's reckless, negligent, or intentionally harmful behavior, we can help you file a claim in pursuit of maximum compensation. The type of compensation that you are owed will depend on the specifics of your accident, which means we can’t promise a certain amount at the start of your case—no law firm can. What we can say is that we know how to investigate accidents, research damages, and calculate a fair, maximized compensation amount for each case we take.

The three primary types of damages in an Arizona personal injury case are:

• Economic damages: These are damages with a specific monetary value, such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Economic damages are meant to compensate the plaintiff for the actual financial losses they suffered as a result of the injury.
• Noneconomic damages: These are damages related to harm and losses that don't have a clear monetary value, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. Although intangible, noneconomic losses are sometimes more important to compensate than economic losses.
• Punitive damages: These are damages that are meant to punish the defendant for their actions and deter them and others from engaging in similar conduct in the future. Punitive damages are not always awarded in a personal injury case, though, so they might not apply to your case.

Additionally, if you suffered the tragedy of losing a loved one in an accident caused by negligence, you can pursue compensation and justice in a wrongful death claim.

In Phoenix, Arizona, the statute of limitations for most personal injury cases is two years. This means that you have two years from the date of the incident that caused the injury to file a lawsuit. However, there are exceptions to this general rule that could make the statute of limitations much shorter, such as if the defendant is a government entity. It is advised to start the legal process as soon as possible after the injury occurs to reduce the risk of missing this statute and losing your chance to file a claim.

Suffering injuries in a car accident, or in another incident, can be a life-changing event. In most circumstances, the more serious an injury you suffer, the more complicated the case to get you compensation will be. But the question remains: do you need a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix?

Unfortunately, even if an accident is clear for who was at fault, insurance companies want to pay the injured party as little as possible. So, if you choose not to hire a personal injury lawyer and settle with the insurance company, you may end up not being fairly compensated. An experienced lawyer will be able to collect the evidence and help you get the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Hiring a Phoenix personal injury lawyer after you've been in an accident can have many benefits. They can:

• Help you deal with insurance companies
• Settle your case outside of court
• Represent you in court if a settlement can't be reached
• Get you the fair compensation you deserve

But, possibly most importantly, they can take on the brunt of the case so you can focus on recovering from your injuries.

Phoenix's road network is one of the busiest in the Southwest, and certain areas see accidents at far higher rates than others. Understanding where accidents happen most frequently can help residents stay safer, and if you have been injured in one of these areas, it can also be important context for your claim.

High-crash freeways in Phoenix:

• Interstate 10 (I-10) — The main east-west corridor through Phoenix, I-10 carries enormous traffic volume, including heavy commercial trucks, rideshare vehicles, and commuters. The downtown Phoenix stretch and the I-10/I-17 "Stack" interchange are among the highest-crash areas in the state. Accidents here frequently involve rear-end collisions, sideswipe crashes, and truck versus passenger vehicle impacts.
• Interstate 17 (I-17 / Black Canyon Freeway) — Running north through downtown Phoenix toward Flagstaff, I-17 has been ranked among the most dangerous highways in the United States. Tight curves, fast lane merges, significant elevation changes, and ongoing construction zones create hazardous conditions year-round. Fatigued commuters and commercial truck drivers are regularly involved in serious crashes on this corridor.
• Loop 101 (Pima Freeway) — One of Phoenix's most heavily traveled beltways, the Loop 101 sees consistently high crash volumes, particularly near interchange points and during active construction. High speeds and frequent lane changes contribute to sideswipe and multi-vehicle accidents.
• Grand Avenue (US-60) — Grand Avenue combines high pedestrian activity, commercial traffic, and narrow lanes in ways that create dangerous conditions, particularly for motorcyclists, cyclists, and pedestrians.

High-crash intersections in Phoenix:

According to Maricopa County crash data, the intersections with the highest collision rates in the Phoenix area include:

• 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road
• 67th Avenue and McDowell Road
• 67th Avenue and Indian School Road
• 27th Avenue and Camelback Road
• 83rd Avenue and Indian School Road
• 7th Avenue and Indian School Road
• 43rd Avenue between Lamar Road and McDowell Road (ranked one of the most dangerous local roads in Arizona)

If you were injured at or near any of these locations, our Phoenix personal injury attorneys are familiar with these corridors and can investigate how road design, traffic control failures, or another driver's negligence contributed to your accident.

In a personal injury claim, contingency fees refer to an agreement between a plaintiff and their lawyer where the lawyer agrees to represent the plaintiff in exchange for a percentage of the compensation received in the case. Contingency fees help to ensure that injured individuals have access to the legal system and can get the legal representation they need, regardless of their financial situations, which might have been damaged by the accident. A lawyer only gets paid if the plaintiff wins compensation for their injuries, so it is sometimes called a “no win, no fee” basis.

Typically, contingency fees are based on a percentage of any compensation won through a settlement or award. This percentage may vary depending on the complexity of the case, the amount of time the lawyer will have to spend on the case, and the likelihood of success. At Rafi Law Group, PLLC, we strive to keep our contingency fees fair based on the value of our experienced counsel, so more money stays in your pocket after a successful claim or lawsuit.

For example, a personal injury lawyer may agree to represent a client on a contingency fee basis and agree to collect 33% of the compensation that the client receives. If the client were to receive $100,000 in compensation, the lawyer would receive $33,000 as their fee.

Rafi Law Group handles the full spectrum of personal injury cases for Phoenix residents. Our attorneys have experience with everything from straightforward rear-end accidents to complex multi-vehicle freeway crashes. Below is an overview of the most common case types we handle for clients in the Phoenix area.

Car Accidents

Car accidents are the most common personal injury cases in Phoenix, and for good reason; with over 37,000 crashes per year in the city, virtually every resident has been affected either directly or through someone they know. The most common causes of Phoenix car accidents include speeding (a factor in over 34% of all fatal Arizona crashes), distracted driving, failure to yield at intersections, impaired driving, and unsafe lane changes on freeway corridors like I-10 and the Loop 101.
Our Phoenix car accident attorneys handle:

Arizona operates under a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault. Our attorneys will investigate the accident, gather evidence from the scene, and calculate the full value of your damages, including medical bills, lost wages, vehicle damage, and pain and suffering.

Truck Accidents

Commercial truck accidents are among the most serious personal injury cases because of the size and weight of the vehicles involved. A fully loaded commercial truck can weigh up to 80,000 pounds, which is roughly 20-30 times the weight of a passenger car. When a crash occurs, the results for the passenger vehicle occupants are often severe or fatal.

Phoenix sits at the intersection of major freight corridors. I-10 carries heavy commercial truck traffic east-west, while I-17 serves as a primary route for trucks moving between Phoenix and Northern Arizona. These corridors see regular truck accidents caused by driver fatigue, improper loading, mechanical failures, speeding, and violations of federal Hours of Service regulations.

Our Phoenix truck accident attorneys handle accidents involving semi-trucks and 18-wheelers, big rigs and tractor-trailers, delivery trucks and box trucks, flatbed and tanker trucks, construction and dump trucks, Amazon, UPS, FedEx, and other fleet vehicles.

Truck accident cases are more complex than standard car accident claims because they often involve multiple liable parties: the truck driver, the trucking company, the cargo loader, and in some cases the vehicle manufacturer. Our attorneys know how to identify all responsible parties and pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.

Slip & Fall and Premises Liability

Property owners in Phoenix have a legal duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. When they fail to do so (whether through a wet floor left unaddressed, a broken sidewalk, poor lighting in a parking lot, or a hazard in a retail aisle) and someone is injured as a result, that property owner may be liable for the damages under Arizona's premises liability laws.

Slip and fall accidents are one of the leading causes of serious injury in the United States. Approximately one million people visit emergency rooms each year due to fall injuries, and about 20% of those falls result in serious harm including broken bones, head trauma, and spinal injuries. In Phoenix specifically, the combination of monsoon season wet floors (June through September), extreme heat that warps pavement and creates uneven surfaces, and a high density of commercial properties creates an elevated risk for slip and fall accidents.

Common premises liability cases our Phoenix attorneys handle:

• Slip and fall accidents in grocery stores, retail stores, and shopping malls
• Trips on broken sidewalks or uneven pavement
• Falls due to inadequate lighting in parking garages or stairwells
• Pool area accidents
• Falls on wet floors without proper warning signage
• Injuries at apartment complexes due to poorly maintained common areas 
• Falls in restaurants and bars

To successfully recover compensation in a Phoenix slip and fall case, you generally need to show that the property owner knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to correct it in a reasonable time. Our attorneys investigate the conditions at the scene, gather surveillance footage, identify maintenance records, and work to establish the property owner's liability.

Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists are among the most vulnerable people on Phoenix's roads. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, a collision that might cause minor damage in a car can cause life-altering injuries for a rider. Motorcycle fatalities in Arizona reached their highest point in at least 20 years in 2023, with 258 deaths statewide, an 11.2% increase from the prior year.

Common causes of Phoenix motorcycle accidents include drivers failing to check blind spots before lane changes, cars turning left in front of oncoming motorcycles, and road hazards that are minor for cars but deadly for bikes. Our Phoenix motorcycle accident attorneys understand the unique challenges of these cases, including the bias some insurance adjusters hold against riders, and we fight to make sure you are treated fairly.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accidents

Phoenix recorded 774 pedestrian crashes in 2023, resulting in 100 deaths and 711 injuries. The city's wide surface streets, high speed limits, and limited pedestrian infrastructure make walking in many neighborhoods genuinely dangerous. Bicycle accidents claimed 8 lives and injured 257 more in Phoenix that same year.

If you were struck by a vehicle as a pedestrian or cyclist in Phoenix, you likely have a strong personal injury claim. Drivers who fail to yield at crosswalks, who run red lights, or who drive impaired are frequently responsible for these crashes. Our attorneys will pursue full compensation for your injuries regardless of whether the crash happened on a major corridor or in a neighborhood.

Dog Bites

Arizona has one of the strictest dog bite liability laws in the country. Under Arizona Revised Statute 11-1025, a dog owner is liable for damages caused by a bite even if the dog has never bitten anyone before. There is no "one free bite" rule in Arizona, strict liability applies. If a dog bit you or a family member in Phoenix, you may have a valid claim against the owner regardless of the animal's prior history.

Wrongful Death

When a family loses a loved one due to someone else's negligence (whether in a car accident, truck crash, slip and fall, or another incident) they have the right to pursue a wrongful death claim under Arizona law. These cases are among the most serious we handle, and our attorneys approach them with the care and urgency your family deserves. Compensation in a wrongful death case can include funeral and burial expenses, lost future income, loss of companionship, and the survivors' pain and suffering.

You have nothing to lose and potentially everything to gain by contacting our firm today at (888) 408-6870!

How Do I Know If a Trial Is Needed?

One common concern for people with personal injuries is whether or not they will need to go to court to resolve their claim. However, many personal injury cases are settled outside of the courtroom.

Hiring a Phoenix personal injury attorney can help to keep you from going to court. The other party and their insurer will try to do whatever they can to limit their liability. If an insurance company believes they can make the argument that you were responsible for your injuries, they will do so, even if this means pursuing court action.

How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take?

The duration of a personal injury case can vary significantly as it is influenced by many factors such as the specifics of the injury, the complexity of the case, and the willingness of both parties to settle. On average, a straightforward personal injury case may take anywhere from a few months to a year to resolve if settled out of court. However, if the case goes to trial, it could take two years or more due to pre-trial discovery, court scheduling issues, and potential appeals. It's important to note that every case is unique, so timelines can differ based on individual circumstances.

Should I Settle Before Going to Trial?

Usually, the negligent party will want to avoid going to trial at all costs. This is because they will likely have to pay you more if a jury finds them to be at fault for your injuries. Additionally, they also have to foot the bill for legal services that might not have been needed, had you settled your case outside of court. Our personal injury attorneys in Phoenix, AZ can help you determine if a settlement amount is fair.

What Is a Demand Letter?

A demand for settlement is a letter that outlines your case and preliminary argument for liability and damages. The opposing party will either reject the demand, negotiate a new offer, or accept it as is. If the terms are accepted, you will get compensation without ever going to trial.

What If I Have to Go to Court?

If you deem it necessary to take your personal injury claim to court, your case will be heard by a judge and jury to determine whether or not you are entitled to compensation. If an insurance company denies your injury claim, this is likely the route that you will need to take to receive compensation.

How Do I Pay for My Phoenix Personal Injury Attorney?

Personal injury attorneys usually operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don't pay any attorney's fees upfront or out of pocket. Instead, your attorney will take a percentage of the settlement or award that they win for you. If your case is not successful, you won't owe any attorney's fees. However, keep in mind that there may be other costs associated with your case, such as court filing fees or costs for obtaining medical records. To get a clear picture of the costs of a personal injury claim before starting one, please feel free to ask any questions of our team during an initial consultation.

What Happens If I Partially at Fault for the Injury?

In Arizona, the law follows a system of "pure comparative negligence" for fault and liability in a personal injury case. Under this system, even if you partially caused the accident, you are still allowed to recover damages from the other involved parties. However, your compensation will be reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to you. For instance, if you were found to be 30% at fault for the accident, your total compensation would be reduced by 30%. This means that even if you are 99% at fault, you can still potentially recover 1% of the damages from the other party.

What are the Most Dangerous Roads in Phoenix for Accidents? 

According to Maricopa County crash data and ADOT records, the highest-crash corridors in Phoenix include I-10 through downtown, I-17 (the Black Canyon Freeway), and Loop 101 near active construction zones. The most dangerous local intersections include 99th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road, 67th Avenue and McDowell Road, and 43rd Avenue between Lamar Road and McDowell Road. If your accident happened on one of these roads, our attorneys are familiar with these locations and the common causes of crashes there.

Can I File a Claim if I Was Injured as a Passenger?

Yes. Passengers injured in car accidents generally have strong personal injury claims regardless of which driver was at fault. You may have a claim against the at-fault driver, the driver of the vehicle you were riding in, or both. Being a passenger does not reduce your right to compensation.

What is the Monsoon Season, and Does it Affect Accident Claims in Phoenix? 

Arizona's monsoon season runs from June through September and brings sudden, intense rainstorms that can dramatically change road conditions in minutes. Wet roads, reduced visibility, and flooded underpasses cause a spike in accidents during this period. If your accident happened during or immediately after a monsoon storm, road conditions may be a factor in your claim in addition to driver negligence.

Does it Cost Anything to Hire a Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer? 

At Rafi Law Group, we work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we win compensation for you. Our fee comes as a percentage of your recovery only. Bilingual services offered - available 24/7.