Peoria Personal Injury Lawyer

Accidents occur every day, and in many cases, they could have been prevented if not for the carelessness or wrongdoing of another person. Victims may struggle with physical, emotional and financial hardships for months or even years. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident caused by someone else, you may be able to recover compensation for your losses by filing a personal injury claim.

Our attorneys at Phillips Law Group have provided legal counsel to more than 155,000 clients, recovering more than $1 billion on their behalf. This includes $7.65 million for a motorcycle accident victim who suffered a traumatic brain injury and $4 million for an auto accident victim who suffered a spinal injury and paralyzation. Founder Jeffrey Phillips is a member of the National Trial Lawyers Association ”“ Top 100 and a Leaders Forum member of the American Association for Justice.

Schedule a free consultation with a Peoria personal injury lawyer today. There is no risk or obligation to move forward. If we represent you, there are no upfront legal fees. We only get compensated if you do.

Call us for a free case evaluation at 1-800-706-3000 .

How Do I Know If My Case Has Merit?

Personal injury cases often result from the following:

”¦ and many other incidents and situations.

Since no two cases are alike, the attorneys at our firm need to review your circumstances to see if you may be eligible to take legal action. If have suffered an injury at the hands of another person, you must be able to prove he or she was at fault for the underlying accident due to negligence. There are four elements of negligence:

Duty of Care Owed

A duty to prevent harm must be owed from one party to another. Here are some examples of the duty of care:

  • Drivers have a legal duty to operate their vehicle with reasonable care at all times, taking into consideration certain factors such as traffic conditions, weather and visibility.
  • Property or business owners have a legal obligation to keep the premises free from known dangerous conditions and must act within a reasonable time to discover and fix these hazards.
  • Doctors or other medical professionals are obligated to provide an appropriate level of skill and care to their patients to ensure they are being properly diagnosed and treated.
  • Manufacturers, distributors and sellers all have a legal duty to produce and sell products that are safe and effective for consumers to use as intended.

Duty of Care Was Breached

The other party violated or breached the duty of care by failing to act as a reasonable person would have in the same situation. Examples of a breach of duty include:

  • A driver violating a traffic law, such as speeding or driving while distracted
  • Property or business owner failing to post warning signs or fix a faulty handrail
  • A doctor failing to order certain tests that could have revealed cancer more quickly
  • Manufacturer not warning consumers of inherent dangers involved in using a product

Link Between Breach of Duty and Injury

The breach of duty of care must have directly caused your injuries. Without the breach of duty, the victim would have otherwise been left unharmed.

Damages Suffered Due to Injury

The person’s injuries from this breach must have caused actual damages. Examples of these damages include medical bills, loss of income and other out-of-pocket costs needed for treatment and recovery.

Need legal help? Request a free consultation. 1-800-706-3000 .

What is the Value of a Personal Injury Case?

If you are considering taking legal action, you may be wondering how much your case could be worth. To make this determination, our lawyers will have to consider several different factors unique to your situation. This includes the extent of your injuries, treatment received and your recovery time.

Personal injury victims may be eligible to recover the following types of damages:

  • Medical expenses ”“ This could include the cost of past and future medical expenses, emergency services, hospital stays, prescription medications, transportation costs to and from doctor’s appointments, rehabilitation costs, medical assistive devices (crutches, wheelchairs, etc.), and home care costs.
  • Lost wages ”“ This refers to the wages you lost while you were recovering from the accident and were unable to go to work. If the injury results in the victim being unable to work in the same job, the victim may be able to pursue damages for loss of future earning capacity.
  • Property damage ”“ This includes any personal property that was damaged as well as the amount to repair or replace property, such as vehicles, expensive jewelry, clothing or electronics.
  • Pain and suffering ”“ This includes physical pain and mental suffering a victim has suffered.

Other damages that you may be able to pursue include emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life and loss of companionship.

What If I Share Some Fault for My Injury?

Even if you share some fault for your injury, you may be eligible to recover damages. Under Arizona’s comparative negligence statute, the amount of damages will be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

For example, if you are awarded $100,000 but you are found to be 60 percent at fault for the accident, the award amount would decrease 60 percent or $60,000. This means you would pocket a total of $40,000.

Our experienced Peoria personal injury attorneys have in-depth knowledge of negligence laws and how these laws may apply to your situation. Let us review your claim during a free and confidential consultation.

Reasons to Seek Legal Advice From a Lawyer

Hiring a personal injury lawyer in Peoria often results in victims obtaining more compensation than they otherwise would. Without legal representation, injury victims often find themselves being taken advantage of by the other party’s insurance company. They may receive compensation, but the amount could be much less than the value of their claim.

We have a team of investigators, paralegals and support staff ready to navigate the complex legal process on your behalf so that you can focus your attention on your treatment.

Our lawyers know how to conduct a detailed investigation to gather the necessary evidence to help prove negligence occurred. We also have access to medical experts who can help verify the severity of your injuries, corroborate medical records and establish a direct connection between your injury and the accident.

Although most cases settle out of court, our firm is always prepared to go to trial if necessary.

Call Phillips Law Group to get started. No upfront fees. 1-800-706-3000 .

How Long Do I Have to File an Injury Claim?

Personal injury cases in Arizona follow a statute of limitations, which sets a strict time limit for filing an injury claim. Failure to file before this time limit will likely result in the court dismissing the case.

In most cases, you must file within two years from the date of the accident. Only certain exceptions could lengthen or shorten the time limit. You have up to 180 days to file a claim after an injury caused by a government entity or until your 20th birthday to file if you were a minor at the time of your injury.

If you have any questions about the statute of limitations or are unsure if your time to file has passed, we encourage you to reach out to a knowledgeable Peoria personal injury attorney.

What to Expect From An Insurance Adjuster

When you are involved in an accident and file a claim against the other party’s insurance company, an insurance adjuster will probably contact you to ask what happened.

The adjuster’s goal is to limit the insurance company’s liability and minimize the amount of compensation you receive, if any. Adjusters handle many accident claims, so they have a lot of experience talking to victims and trying to negotiate settlements that favor the insurance company. That gives the adjuster an advantage over accident victims who are often unfamiliar with the claims process and do not know how much their claims could be worth.

Our legal team knows the tactics adjusters commonly use to make you appear to be at fault or lacking in credibility. We recommend not recording any statement or signing documentation until you have sought legal help.

Building a Strong Case For Fair Compensation

What you do following an injury is important because there are certain things that can be done to protect your health and your potential legal claim. Some of the steps you can take to help build a strong case for fair compensation include:

Getting Medical Treatment

It is important to obtain immediate medical attention so that a doctor or other health care professional can document your injuries and create a treatment plan. Even if you are unsure about the extent of your injuries, you should seek treatment and carefully follow your doctor’s orders. This could include going to any required physical therapy or counseling for post-traumatic stress. Having medical records and receipts for treatment makes it harder for the other side to discredit your injuries.

Preserving Evidence at the Scene

If you are able to, preserve as much evidence as you can. This includes taking photographs and/or video of the accident scene, any visible injuries and torn or bloody clothing, property damage, and anything else that could be relevant to your claim. Obtain a copy of the police/accident report and collect the names and contact information from any witnesses.

Talking to a Lawyer About Settlement Offers

After an injury, you may be tempted to accept the insurance company’s first offer so that you can pay your medical bills or recover payment for lost wages. However, accepting the first offer could prevent you from being able to recover maximum compensation. That is why you should talk with a lawyer about the offer and whether it provides fair compensation.

Staying off Social Media Platforms

Everything you say or post on social media could be used against you. It is important that you refrain from discussing the accident, your injuries, or anything about the case until you have reached a settlement or verdict. The other side’s insurance company or defense attorney will be on these social media platforms trying to see if they can use anything against you. Be sure to ask friends and family to not post about the case either.

Get Help From Our Peoria Personal Injury Attorneys

Our reputable Peoria personal injury lawyers are prepared to help you determine if you have a case and manage the legal process on your behalf if you do. We have represented thousands of clients and recovered millions in compensation for Arizona injury victims.

Contact out legal team for help with your claim. Our consultations are free of charge and there are no upfront fees involved. We only get paid if we successfully help you obtain a recovery.

Call 1-800-706-3000 today to learn more.