Mesa Personal Injury Lawyer

Anyone who has experienced a personal injury knows how life-altering it can be. Between the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial challenges, at times, it can feel impossible to also juggle the legal responsibilities. That’s why it’s recommended to consult with a Mesa personal injury lawyer to help you understand your rights and build a strong case, giving you more time to focus on your recovery.

At Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C., we proudly provide compassionate and comprehensive legal services to those who have been victims of personal injury. We understand the challenges our clients face when this happens and will use our years of experience and resources to fight for the justice and compensation they deserve. Our goal is to ensure that your voice is heard and that you receive the support you need during this difficult time.

There are many different reasons why personal injury cases come about and advance to trial in Mesa, Arizona. These various incidents are when an individual suffers harm from someone else’s negligence or intentional behavior. Some of the most common types of personal injury cases include:

Car Accidents

Car accidents are some of the most frequently reported personal injury cases in Mesa. There are many different reasons why these incidents happen, such as when someone is driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or neglecting to follow the posted speed limit. While sometimes car and motorcycle accidents are only light fender benders with minimal injuries, more severe cases can result in catastrophic life-long injuries or fatalities.

Slip and Fall Accidents

Whenever a property owner fails to properly maintain their environment to keep others safe, a slip and fall accident could occur. These are often found in public areas like grocery stores, restaurants, offices, or even private homes. Specific hazards like wet floors, uneven sidewalks or even loose carpeting could cause someone to slip and fall. The state of Arizona holds property owners liable if they do not take action to prevent unreasonable risks on their own property.

Medical Malpractice

Most medical malpractice cases involve claims where a healthcare provider is responsible for causing injury to one of their patients, either through an intentional action or negligence. Some common examples of this are a misdiagnosis, error made during surgery, the wrong medication being prescribed, or even failing to provide a necessary treatment after someone went to them for care. Any damages caused by this malpractice could qualify for legal compensation.

Product Liability

Cases that fall under the ‘product liability’ category of personal injury are any defective or dangerous product that has caused damages to a consumer. This could be a household appliance malfunctioning or a faulty toy causing harm to a child as they play with it like the company instructed them to do.

To be compensated in these cases, accident victims need to demonstrate that they were using the product as intended and that their injuries can be linked to the use of the product.

Dog Bites and Animal Attacks

Being attacked by a dog or another animal that someone owns can lead to significant injuries. This can include deep lacerations, an infection, nerve damage, or mental health issues like PTSD. In Arizona, dog owners are strictly held liable for any injuries that their pet causes to another individual, even if the animal does not have a history of being violent. This means the victim doesn’t have to prove the owner was negligent but only that the injury occurred.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

Cyclists on the road are extremely vulnerable because they have much less protection than the vehicles they share the road with. Whenever a driver fails to yield to the right of way or is driving while distracted, it could increase the chances that they collide and injure a cyclist. These injuries are often severe, possibly causing significant damage to a victim’s brain, spinal cord, or bones. Long recovery periods or permanent disabilities are frequently seen in these accidents.

Workplace Accidents

While accidents can happen in any industry, these are more common in sectors like construction and manufacturing. Injuries can happen in these settings when someone falls from a great height, is injured from machinery, or is a victim of a repetitive motion injury that happens over time. Most victims of workplace accidents will be taken care of by Arizona’s workers’ compensation system, providing financial assistance for medical expenses or lost wages.

Wrongful Death

A wrongful death case is defined as any incident where a person’s death is caused by the negligence or intentional act of another individual. This can happen in any setting, such as a loved one being killed by medical malpractice, a truck accident, or a faulty piece of machinery at work. Wrongful death cases can be brought to court by surviving family members who are looking to be compensated for the damages this loss has caused to their own lives.

When you are working with an attorney to advance your personal injury case, it’s important to gather a strong collection of evidence that can help support the narrative you are bringing to court. The stronger the evidence, the greater the likelihood that you can secure the compensation you believe is appropriate. Some of the most common pieces of evidence used in these cases include:

Photographic and Video Evidence

It’s important to capture as much visual evidence as possible. Photos and videos can be some of the most impactful forms of evidence used in personal injury cases. Having high-quality images and videos on hand can help bring everyone to the actual scene of the incident, making them more confident that the details you are sharing with the court are true. For example, providing a video that shows there was not a visible “wet floor” sign where you slipped can be critical.

Medical Records

Another cornerstone to personal injury case evidence is medical documentation. This not only helps to detail what injuries a victim endured, but also show that the treatment received was necessary for recovery. This can include initial emergency room records, reports from follow-up appointments, recommendations from a physical therapist, or even the diagnostic results from an X-ray. This can serve as the basis for how much financial compensation is necessary.

Witness Testimonies

Obtaining statements from different witnesses can help provide a more objective account of what happened during the accident and add more credibility to your claim. This is because a witness could have observed critical details that you might have missed or are unable to recall based on the initial shock you experienced from the incident. These third-party testimonies can help clarify disputed facts without the suspicion of bias.

Police and Accident Reports

Whenever an accident involving motor vehicles or other reportable incidents happens, law enforcement should create an official report of their observations. These documents often have a lot of useful details for the court, like the date and time of the incident and what parties were involved. This can help provide an impartial third-party account of what happened to support your own story.

Expert Witness Testimonies

Adding expert witnesses to your slate of evidence can greatly influence the outcome of your personal injury case. This is especially true when there are technical aspects of your case that are making it more difficult to prove liability. For example, an accident reconstructionist can help analyze the scene of the incident, review vehicle damage, and use different calculations to illustrate exactly how an accident occurred.

Personal Statements

Documenting your experiences through personal statements or journal entries can help to paint a more vivid picture of how your injuries impacted your life. Having records of your pain levels, mobility challenges, and how you were holding up emotionally can help to convey the human cost of the injuries. This is especially helpful when you are trying to obtain compensation for non-economic damages, like pain and suffering.

Receipts and Bills

Having financial documentation in the form of different receipts and bills can help provide a quantifiable account of the economic losses that happened as a result of the injuries. In addition to your medical bills, receipts for any over-the-counter medication or other devices like crutches or a wheelchair can help quantify the extent of the financial toll.

Employment Records

Providing different records from your employer can help establish the financial impact the injuries had on your work life. This can include pay stubs, time sheets, and any communication records that relate to missed work or reduced work hours due to the injuries. Offering statements from your employer that detail your job duties and the impact of your absence can help further support your claim for lost wages.

Communications With Insurance Companies

It’s important to keep clean records of every communication you have with insurance companies, as this can help to protect your rights and identify any instances where they may have tried to reduce the full amount of compensation you are entitled to. This can include copies of different emails, letters, or any recorded conversations you had over the phone. These documents can show exactly how your case was handled and provide explanations for any delays in processing.

Property Damage Reports

Any accidents that result in property damage, like a car crash, can benefit from a detailed repair estimate or appraisal that quantifies the extent of the damage. It also helps to show how severe the incident was and help the court determine liability. Property damage reports can also show the potential impact the force of an accident had, which can be correlated to the type and severity of the injuries sustained.

Q: How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Arizona?

A: Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis in Arizona, which is an attractive payment arrangement for those who might be worried about affording legal services before their case closes. In this arrangement, a lawyer does not require any upfront payments. Rather, they will collect a percentage of your settlement amount if they win your case. If they do not win your case, you do not owe them any money for their time and effort.

Q: What Is the Average Personal Injury Settlement in Arizona?

A: The average settlement for personal injury cases in Arizona varies widely based on the type of injury you have experienced, the extent of its damages, and other case-specific factors related to what caused the accident to happen. Settlements can vary depending on the extent of the injuries and whether or not they cause long-term, permanent damage.

Q: What Is Considered a Personal Injury in Arizona?

A: Personal injuries in Arizona are any instance where harm or injury was caused to an individual through the negligence or wrongful actions of another patty. To officially pursue a legal claim in this space, it must be proven that the responsible party’s behavior caused your injury and created damages. The damages can either be physical, financial, or emotional. These claims aim to hold those at fault for their actions and provide the victim compensation.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on Personal Injury Claims in Arizona?

A: Personal injury claims in Arizona can be submitted up to two years from the date of the injury. Anyone who misses this deadline will forfeit their ability to receive compensation and hold the liable party accountable for their actions. Sometimes, there are exceptions, like if you didn’t realize you suffered from damages on the date you were technically injured.

If you or someone you care for has suffered from a personal injury, it can be overwhelming to navigate the legal process alone. Fortunately, with Luis P. Guerra, L.L.C., you don’t have to. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help advance your personal injury case and secure the full amount of compensation that you deserve.

With our legal team on your side, you can trust that you are getting the quality legal representation you deserve.