Car wrecks hurt hundreds of people in Tempe each year, and accident victims and their families need a tough lawyer to represent them in settlement negotiations. At CLS Law, PLLC, our team has dedicated our professional careers to fighting for ordinary people like you who are hurt in motor vehicle collisions. Our fight is personal. We believe injured people deserve fair compensation, without unnecessary delay, and that everyone deserves respect. Unfortunately, too many insurance companies refuse to offer a real, meaningful settlement to victims with serious injuries. And they might hang up the phone on you when you call to check on the status of your case.

Contact our law firm as soon as you can. You can schedule a free consultation with a Tempe car accident lawyer at CLS Law.

Tempe Car Crash Facts

The Arizona Department of Transportation publishes a big report on traffic statistics for the entire state. This report shows that traffic accidents are common in Tempe:

  • In 2023, Tempe saw 7,299 total car accidents, which works out to more than 600 each month.
  • That same year, 30 people died in car wrecks in Tempe, and 3,199 were injured.
  • 319 accidents in 2023 were alcohol-related in Tempe, with 12 people dying in these crashes and 192 being injured.

Begin searching for an attorney as soon as you can. Any car wreck that causes bodily injuries or death is complicated to value and negotiate. A lawyer can aggressively fight to obtain the most compensation available under the law.

Our Car Accident Law Firm

We help victims who are hurt in all types of car crashes:

  • Parking lot collisions. The crash might happen at low speed, but victims can suffer major injuries, nonetheless, including whiplash and factures.
  • Intersection collisions. Cars get bottlenecked at intersections, and dangerous drivers can end up causing serious injuries in a collision. Common accidents around intersections include rear-end collisions and left-hand turn accidents when a car cuts across traffic.
  • Hit and runs. Too many drivers flee the scene of an accident after getting into a crash, even though Arizona law is clear that they must stop. Call our office. A Tempe car accident lawyer can search for evidence to identify the driver but also negotiate a settlement with your uninsured motorist provider. It’s possible to receive a settlement even when a driver flees.
  • Rear-end collisions. These accidents happen all over the place, on the open road or at stop lights. A driver who is distracted or careless can forget to hit the brakes and crash right into the car in front of them. Whiplash and chest injuries are very common with rear-end collisions.
  • Single-vehicle accidents. Sometimes a car crashes without being hit. You might crash because of a defect in the vehicle or a road hazard that causes you to lose control. Other people must take sudden defensive action as a motorist races toward them.
  • Multiple-vehicle accidents. We see these pileups on the highway and in construction zones. Dozens of people can get hurt in one of these crashes. Call our firm. Establishing liability is complicated when so many motor vehicles are involved.

Call us to discuss your accident. We can help with these and other wrecks.

What Causes Most Car Accidents in Tempe?

Car accidents are usually avoidable if people would just drive carefully. Unfortunately, many motorists are dangerous when they get behind the wheel:

  • Cell phone use and other distractions. Motorists are doing more behind the wheel when they should focus solely on driving. Some are calling people or scrolling through text messages as they barrel down the road. Any distraction can lead to a crash.
  • Fatigue. A tired driver is more prone to errors. They might fail to hit the brakes even if they see a light up ahead because they are so tired their reflexes are delayed.
  • Road rage. Angry drivers can take intentional, dangerous actions that imperil public safety. A driver in the grips of road rage might tailgate, pass illegally, or even intentionally bump a car.
  • Excessive speed. A car needs more time to stop the faster it is going. A speeding driver is more likely to lose control in inclement weather when they are speeding.
  • Failure to yield. Arizona’s rules of the road explain who must yield in certain situations. Some drivers are uninterested in following the rules, and they cut off another driver.

What Insurance Applies to Your Car Accident Case?

In most car accident cases, we pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. This is the person responsible for causing the accident, usually because of negligence.

Arizona requires that drivers carry mandatory liability insurance. This insurance kicks in if you are at fault for an accident. An injured victim can make a claim on your policy. Likewise, if another driver is at fault, then you can make a claim on their liability coverage.

The state’s minimums are $25,000 for bodily injuries for one person and $15,000 for property damage. When two or more people are injured in the crash, a maximum of $50,000 is available for bodily injuries.

Many drivers lack coverage. In that case, we usually negotiate with your own insurer. Every policy written in Arizona should come with uninsured motorist coverage, which you can use for a hit and run or any crash caused by a driver without insurance.

Other insurance policies that come into play include collision coverage, underinsured motorist insurance, or medical payments. Let us review how to submit bills. We want to maximize your coverage.

Getting a Far Settlement in Tempe

Our firm has years of experience negotiating settlements with insurance companies for fair settlements. You should receive compensation for all economic losses suffered in your accident:

  • Damage to your car. You can receive money for repairs or, if your car is totaled, to buy a new one.
  • Lost income. Do you need to take time off after an accident? You will likely lose income or wages, and we can request compensation from the defendant.
  • Medical bills. Our clients suffer all types of injuries, including fractures, head injuries, sprains or strains, and back injuries. You should receive compensation to cover your medical care. If you are permanently disabled, you can request ongoing medical bills for future care.

Our firm also requests money for non-economic damages:

  • Bodily pain. Accidents leave our clients in considerable pain. You might be unable to stand, walk, or even sleep comfortably. Even the strongest painkillers only blunt the pain. As a side effect, they often make people confused and cranky. You should receive compensation for your pain.
  • Mental anguish or distress. Mental distress has several causes. Some people become irritable or depressed because of their bodily limitations and inability to leave the house. Also, some people relive the accident or suffer from PTSD following a crash. Money can’t really make up for mental anguish, but the defendant should pay you something.
  • Disfigurement or scarring. Living with disfiguring injuries takes a toll on a person’s self-esteem. Losing a limb or being permanently scarred warrant financial compensation.

What Role Does Comparative Negligence Play in a Car Accident?

Were you accused of being negligent yourself before the crash? For example, a speeding motorist might have crashed into you, but you also ran a red light. In this example, both of you are to blame.

Arizona’s comparative negligence law applies to car accidents. Your own negligence is compared to the defendant’s level of negligence, and your compensation is reduced in proportion to your share of fault. Someone who is 55% at fault will receive only 45% of their damages.

Speak with a Tempe Car Accident Attorney at CLS Law

We offer a free consultation to anyone who reaches out to our firm. Call CLS Law today at (855) 257-9467 to start your complimentary case review and get the help you deserve.