Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer

Hear from a client whose case other lawyers turned down.

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Real Kent Law client, who gave written permission. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

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Client: Unfortunately, I got into an accident. A lot of attorneys didn't want to take the case. Most of them didn't even want to pick it up. They want something real easy, drop in the bucket and you're done. Not Adam. Adam's like, "Bring it on. This is what I live for." Adam likes a challenge. And I wound up getting a settlement that was much nicer than I was expecting. If you need an attorney that isn't afraid of a challenge, that will start to work from day one and really, really go to work for you... Adam Kent is the one you want.

Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Hurt in a car crash? If you are looking for a Phoenix car accident lawyer, here is what you need to know: what to do after a crash, how Arizona law affects your claim, what evidence matters, and how we take on the insurance company. Kent Law focuses on personal injury, and most of our cases are motor vehicle crashes. We serve Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa from our office in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. The insurance company already has people working on your claim. You should too. Call (480) 359-KENT for a free case review.

How Kent Law handles car accident cases

Insurance companies count on hurt people taking the first offer because the bills are piling up. We don't let them lowball you. We push back with evidence and fight for every penny of compensation you deserve.

That approach works. Kent Law recovers millions of dollars for injured clients every year. We have handled thousands of injury cases. We handle negotiated settlements, mediation, arbitration and trial. We take on denied and stalled claims, including cases already at the litigation stage. Some insurance adjusters and defense attorneys, the people who see our work from the other side, have hired Kent Law for their own injury cases. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Here is how we work:

• We listen. We learn how the crash happened, how you were hurt, and what you are dealing with now.
• We investigate. We gather the evidence and look for the insurance policies that may apply, including your own UM and UIM coverage.
• We take over the insurance fight. Once you hire us, adjusters deal with us. You focus on getting better.
• We go to court when it is needed. If the insurer will not pay what your case is worth, we don't back down. Where we file depends on court rules and the facts, such as where the crash happened and where the parties live. Phoenix-area cases are usually filed in Maricopa County Superior Court, and we regularly file in Pima and Pinal counties too.

Founding Partner Adam C. Kent has practiced in Arizona since 2006. He started his career as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and founded Kent Law in 2011. Managing Attorney Jonathan Henry brings extensive trial experience to our cases. Attorney Andrew Shaver rounds out our legal team.

We have one office, at 4001 E. Mountain Sky Ave., Ste. 105, Phoenix, AZ 85044, in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. From there, we serve people hurt in crashes across Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video. Call (480) 359-KENT.

What it costs

We handle car accident cases on a contingency fee. No fee unless we win. Your case review is free. If you hire us, we explain the written fee agreement before you sign it.

What to do after a car crash in Phoenix

The first hours after a crash matter. What you do now can protect your health and your case. Do what you safely can. If you were badly hurt, let family or friends handle the rest.

1. Get safe and call 911. Turn on your hazard lights. If you can move safely, get away from traffic. Call 911. Tell the dispatcher where you are and whether anyone is hurt.

2. Get medical care. Let paramedics check you at the scene. Then see a doctor soon, even if you feel fine. Some injuries, like a concussion or a neck or back injury, may not show up right away. Your health comes first. Tell your doctor about your symptoms and follow the care plan as closely as you can. Insurers may point to gaps in treatment, but if you had to wait or miss appointments, that happens. Tell us, and we'll explain your options.

3. Take photos and video. Photograph every vehicle from several angles. Get the license plates, skid marks, broken glass, traffic lights, and road signs. Take a wide shot of the whole intersection or stretch of road. Photograph your injuries now, and keep photographing them as they heal.

4. Get witness names and phone numbers. Witnesses leave fast. Get their names and numbers before they go. Look for businesses, homes, and traffic poles with cameras. That video can show exactly what happened.

5. Exchange insurance information. Get the other driver's name, phone number, driver's license number, plate number, insurance company, and policy number. Take a photo of their insurance card and license. Stay calm. Stick to the facts, and do not guess about what happened or who caused it.

6. Get the police report. The report lists the drivers, witnesses, insurers, and the officer's notes. Which agency writes it depends on court rules and the facts, such as where the crash happened and where the parties live. The Phoenix Police Department generally handles crashes on city streets. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) generally handles crashes on state highways and freeways. Before you leave the scene, get the report number and the agency name from the officer.

7. Watch out for the insurance adjuster. The other driver's adjuster may call within days. They may sound friendly. They will likely ask to record your statement. That adjuster works for the insurance company, and their job is to pay you as little as possible. What you say can be used later to cut the value of your claim. Call us before you give any statement, and do not sign anything the other insurer sends you.

8. Keep records. Save every medical bill, receipt, and pay stub. Write down each day of work you miss. Keep a short journal about your pain, your sleep, and what you can no longer do. Save every letter and email from any insurance company.

9. Call a lawyer before deadlines run. Arizona has deadlines for injury claims, and some are short. The next section explains them. For a checklist you can keep in your glove box, see our guide on what to do after a car accident in Phoenix.

Arizona laws that affect your claim

Arizona law shapes every car crash claim. Here are the rules that come up most.

The deadline to file a lawsuit

Most injury lawsuits in Arizona must generally be filed within 2 years (A.R.S. § 12-542). Miss the deadline, and you can lose your right to sue. Waiting also hurts your case in other ways. Witnesses move. Memories fade. Camera video gets recorded over.

Crashes with a city, county, or state vehicle

Some crashes involve a public entity or a public employee, like a city bus, a county truck, or a state vehicle. Those claims move on a much faster clock. A notice of claim is generally required within 180 days (A.R.S. § 12-821.01). The lawsuit itself must generally be filed within 1 year (A.R.S. § 12-821). If a government vehicle or worker was involved in your crash, call us right away.

Shared fault does not end your claim

Arizona uses pure comparative fault. If you were partly at fault, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. In most cases, you are not barred from recovering (A.R.S. § 12-2505). If you are found 20% at fault, your recovery is reduced by 20%. Insurance companies know this rule. They often try to shift more blame onto you. We use the evidence to push back. There are exceptions, such as A.R.S. § 12-711 for some alcohol- or drug-related situations, so talk to us about your facts.

Minimum insurance limits

Arizona drivers must carry at least $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident for bodily injury, plus $15,000 for property damage (A.R.S. § 28-4009). Those are minimums. A serious injury can cost far more than a minimum policy pays.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage

Some drivers on Arizona roads carry no insurance at all. The Insurance Research Council estimated that 10.6% of Arizona drivers were uninsured in 2023 (Insurance Research Council, via the Insurance Information Institute).

Your own policy can fill the gap. Uninsured motorist (UM) coverage can pay when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can pay when their insurance is not enough. Arizona insurers must offer UM and UIM coverage in writing, and drivers can decline it (A.R.S. § 20-259.01).

Check the declarations page of your auto policy. If you are not sure what you have, send it to us. Remember that a UM or UIM claim is made against your own insurance company. It is still an insurance company, and it may still fight you on what your claim is worth.

Common types of car accident cases

Car crashes are common in Arizona, and the Phoenix area sees the most of them. In 2024, Arizona had 121,107 crashes. That year, 1,228 people were killed and 54,426 people were injured (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 1-1, p. 2). Maricopa County had 72.74% of all crashes in the state and 50.13% of fatal crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, p. 13).

Here are the 2024 numbers for three cities we serve (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 2-5, p. 13):

• Phoenix: 37,472 crashes. 278 people killed and 15,057 injured.
• Tempe: 6,637 crashes. 32 people killed and 3,007 injured.
• Chandler: 4,267 crashes. 15 people killed and 1,856 injured.

Rear-end collisions

In crashes involving more than one vehicle, rear-end crashes were the most common type in Arizona. There were 38,654 of them, or 37.51%. That includes 12,221 injury crashes, which was 38.35% of multi-vehicle injury crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 3-1, p. 18). They happen in stop-and-go traffic, at red lights, and when drivers look at their phones. Even at lower speeds, they can cause serious neck, back, and head injuries.

Left-turn crashes

Arizona had 16,866 left-turn crashes in 2024, and 127 were fatal (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 3-1, p. 18). Many happen when a driver turning left misjudges oncoming traffic or tries to beat a yellow light. The drivers often tell different stories. Witnesses, video, and scene photos settle the question.

Angle (T-bone) crashes

There were 18,182 angle crashes in Arizona in 2024 (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 3-1, p. 18). In an angle crash, the front of one car slams into the side of another. They often happen when a driver runs a red light or a stop sign, or pulls out of a driveway or parking lot. The person on the side that gets hit can be badly hurt.

Freeway crashes

Freeway crashes bring high speeds, sudden slowdowns, unsafe lane changes, and merging traffic. Several vehicles are often involved, and each driver's insurer points at someone else. DPS generally writes the report for crashes on state highways and freeways. Most of the crashes we handle, though, happen on city streets and at intersections, where turning traffic, red-light runners, and distracted drivers meet.

Other car crash cases we handle

• Uber and Lyft (rideshare) accidents: Rideshare crashes can involve more than one insurance policy, and we track down every one that may cover you.
• Hit-and-run accidents: Arizona had 16,136 hit-and-run crashes in 2024, about 13.3% of all crashes (ADOT, 2024 Arizona Motor Vehicle Crash Facts, Table 5-3, p. 28), and your own UM coverage may pay even if the driver is never found.
• Rear-end collisions: Learn more about the most common type of multi-vehicle crash in Arizona and the injuries it causes.
• Drunk-driver crashes: We represent people hurt by drunk and impaired drivers.
• Uninsured and underinsured motorist claims: When the at-fault driver has no insurance or not enough, we pursue a claim under your own policy.
• Fatal crashes: Help for families who lost a loved one in a car crash.

Evidence and damages

Evidence we gather

Insurance companies pay on proof, not on promises. We build the proof that shows how the crash happened, who caused it, and how it changed your life. Depending on the case, that includes:

• The police report. The officer's notes, crash diagram, witness names, and insurance details.
• Photos. Scene photos, vehicle photos, and injury photos show what words cannot.
• Vehicle damage. Where each car was hit, and how hard, helps show the direction and force of the crash.
• Witness statements. We reach witnesses while their memories are fresh.
• Medical records. Your records tie your injuries to the crash and show the care you needed.
• Video. Traffic cameras and business security cameras may have caught the crash. Some video is recorded over quickly, so we move fast to get it.
• Vehicle data. Some vehicles store data about speed, braking, and steering just before a crash.

Damages you may be able to recover

"Damages" is the money owed for the harm a crash caused. Depending on your case, you may be able to recover money for:

• Medical bills. Ambulance, emergency room, doctor visits, surgery, physical therapy, and medicine.
• Future care. Treatment you are likely to need in the months or years ahead.
• Lost wages. Pay you lost while you could not work.
• Lost earning capacity. Income you may lose in the future if your injuries limit the work you can do.
• Pain and suffering. Physical pain, emotional distress, and the ways the injury has changed your daily life.
• Property damage. Repairing or replacing your vehicle and other property damaged in the crash.

Every case is different. What your case is worth depends on your injuries, the evidence, how fault is shared, and how much insurance is available. We fight for every penny of compensation you deserve.

Talk with a Phoenix car accident lawyer

You did not ask to be hurt. You should not have to fight the insurance company alone. If you were injured in a crash in Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, or Mesa, call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT. Free case review. No fee unless we win. Se habla español. Interpretation is always available.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.