Our Flagstaff Criminal Defense and Personal Injury Law Office

How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Arizona?

Hurt in a car or truck crash, motorcycle wreck, slip and fall, or other personal injury accident? Arizona gives you two years to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. This filing deadline is determined by the state's statute of limitations, which indicates how long victims must file a lawsuit before they lose the right to pursue a legal remedy for their injuries and losses. The statute of limitations is strictly enforced—and failing to file your insurance claim or lawsuit during the two-year time frame almost always results in an immediate dismissal.

10 Mistakes You Should Avoid After An Accident That Leaves You Injured

1. Not getting medical care. Yes, we have already mentioned the need to get medical care right away. But we reiterate it here because medical records can be important to settlement negotiations and court cases. Don’t skip this step.
2. Not following the medical advice you receive. You will do yourself harm—both in terms of your recovery and in terms of collecting damages—if you ignore your doctor’s advice following an accident.
3. Not calling the police. Some people would prefer not to involve law enforcement if it can be avoided. But just like medical records, police records related to the accident can be vital to your ability to pursue appropriate compensation.
4. Not taking photos of the accident scene. If you are physically able, you should try to record details of the accident scene with your phone’s camera so that you have a visual record.
5. Posting about the accident on social media. Yes, we just suggested you take photos of the accident scene. However, you should not post pictures or comment about the accident on social media. You do not want to make public statements about what happened because they could be misinterpreted and used against you.
6. Not getting contact information for witnesses. Again, if you are physically able, you should try to acquire contact information for any witnesses on the scene.
7. Trusting that an insurance company has your best interest in mind. Remember, insurance companies are for-profit businesses. As such, they hope to pay out as little as possible.
8. Accepting a quick settlement. An insurance company may tempt you with an offer to write you a check immediately. Companies that do this are likely hoping you will accept fast money instead of more money. That initial offer will almost certainly be a lowball effort to close the claim inexpensively.
9. Not talking with an experienced personal injury attorney. Your best path toward a fair settlement is to hire a personal injury lawyer to investigate the crash, negotiate with the insurance company, and, if necessary, argue the case in court.
10. Waiting too long to file a lawsuit. There are limits to how long you can wait to file a lawsuit, known as the statute of limitations. That should be reason enough to encourage you not to wait. But there are additional reasons to consider. For example, the longer you wait, the less reliable witness testimony may be. It is also possible that key evidence will be lost or will deteriorate.

The Benefits of Local Arizona Legal Representation

You don't have to go outside the area to get the personal injury representation you need and deserve. Flagstaff is our home, and our attorneys are dedicated community members. As a result, we've developed positive professional relationships with local doctors, lawyers, and judges and routinely deal with all area insurance companies. Our keen understanding of how Northern Arizona cases are handled and our established rapport with key players provide advantages that big-city lawyers can't match.

Extensive Experience, Superior Results

Experience is essential when litigating Arizona criminal or personal injury cases—an area where we shine. Our legal team boasts a 40-year veteran defense attorney, an adept former felony prosecutor, a skilled litigator, and a dedicated support staff.

We're not afraid to fight for our clients—whether that means vigorously defending you against potentially life-changing criminal charges or unfair insurance company practices. Most importantly, we can point to a long track record of successful case results—from dismissals and total acquittals in major criminal cases to six- and seven-figure personal injury settlements or awards.