What to Do After a No-Fault Car Accident

No-fault car accidents are not recognized under Arizona law. Arizona is an at-fault state, meaning whoever caused the accident is responsible. In an accident where the fault may not be clear, contacting a car accident attorney is the best course of action. 

If you’ve been in an accident and need a Mesa car accident lawyer, Gage Mathers can help. We’ve been winning accident settlements across the state for more than five decades, and we know one of the keys to success is proving the other party’s responsibility. 

Below, we’ll explore how Arizona’s fault system works and where the term no-fault comes from.

No-Fault Versus At-Fault

Certain states are known as ‘no-fault’ states because of their insurance laws. In a no-fault state, each driver’s insurance covers their own medical and damage expenses, regardless of who caused the accident.

The disadvantage of no-fault systems is that recovering damages for personal injury can be difficult. A driver’s payout is limited by their insurance maximums. If the costs are beyond their maximum coverage, the innocent driver is left with few options. Filing lawsuits against other drivers can be complex and sometimes impossible. 

Arizona’s insurance laws are different. They are ‘at fault,’ meaning the person who caused the accident and their insurance are responsible for paying the damages of everyone involved. 

In the state of Arizona, when an accident occurs involving two vehicles, one party will be entirely at fault. Alternatively, authorities may decide to split fault in the case of a multiple-vehicle accident. Regardless, those responsible are the ones who pay. 

What to Do After an Accident

Making sure everyone is ok is priority number one after an accident. Help yourself and others in need of help. Dial 911 or direct a bystander to do so as soon as possible. While waiting for help to arrive, take out your phone and start recording. 

Try to get videos and photos of the accident from as many angles as possible. If there are witnesses nearby, ask them if they saw anything and if they are willing to give statements. 

Once the police arrive, follow their instructions and let them do their job. When the scene is secured, an officer will approach you for your statement. If you aren’t sure who is at fault, answer with basic statements like, “Our vehicles collided.” Don’t make any statements that admit fault or apologize to the other drivers. 

Visit the Hospital Even if You Feel Fine

Your next visit should be to the hospital to get checked for any injuries. Immediately after an accident, the body is running on adrenaline. This can mean you might not know you’re hurt. In reality, you may have hidden injuries that can worsen with time. 

Bruising, broken ribs, and other minor injuries are all part of what to expect physically after a car accident. Some injuries, like internal bleeding, may not be noticeable right away. Do not wait until you feel pain to visit the hospital. 

Proving that injuries are related to an accident is much easier with a post-accident medical exam. If pain starts a month later when a micro-fracture has turned into a full fracture, proving it was because of the accident can be difficult. Every lab test and x-ray can become a piece of evidence in court.

Contacting a car accident attorney right away is critical to building a solid case. If you’re hurt, those at fault must pay for your injuries and any future difficulties related to the crash. 

Why Choose Gage Mathers?

Our knowledge of Arizona insurance laws runs deep because our founder, David Gage, helped write the state laws on uninsured motorists!

The key to winning a settlement is not waiting. The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can begin piecing together a case. With our help, you can get the justice and compensation you deserve.

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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