1. Skousen, Gulbrandsen & Patience, PLC
Focus Area: Personal injury representation for accident victims and families of wrongful death
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, nursing home abuse, wrongful death, dog bites
Background: The firm has served residents of Mesa and the East Valley for 60 years. The attorneys exclusively represent plaintiffs and do not work for insurance companies. The practice handles cases ranging from motor vehicle collisions to nursing home negligence claims.
Location: 2 North Central Avenue, Suite 1700, Phoenix, AZ 85004 (serves Mesa area)
Contact: (602) 285-5550 | https://www.sgplaw.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Goldberg & Osborne
Focus Area: Personal injury and wrongful death litigation with statewide reach
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, aircraft accidents, product liability, wrongful death
Background: The firm has more than 30 years of personal injury experience and has recovered over $2 billion in compensation for clients nationwide. The legal team includes Certified Specialists in Injury and Wrongful Death. The Mesa office is led by District Managing Attorney Michael Moldoveanu.
Location: 1550 South Gilbert Road, Suite 201, Mesa, AZ 85204
Contact: 1-800-THE-EAGLE (1-800-843-3245) | https://1800theeagle.com
Consultation: Free consultation with no fees unless the case is settled or won
3. Hastings & Hastings
Focus Area: Personal injury claims with a discount fee structure
Practice Areas: Car accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, truck accidents
Background: The firm has served Arizona accident victims for more than 40 years and the Mesa personal injury attorneys have approximately 100 years of combined experience. The practice pioneered a “Discount Fee” arrangement designed to put more of the settlement amount into clients’ hands rather than attorney fees.
Location: 1827 North Mesa Drive, Mesa, AZ 85201
Contact: (480) 706-1100 | https://www.hastingsandhastings.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation with a licensed attorney, contingency fee basis
4. Schenk Podolsky Attorneys at Law
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation for East Valley residents
Practice Areas: Car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, uninsured motorist claims
Background: The firm is located in East Valley and handles cases ranging from minor vehicle accidents to catastrophic injuries. The attorneys work with medical providers throughout the recovery process. Notable case results include a $1.5 million settlement for a motorcycle rider injured in a collision.
Location: 4140 East Baseline Road, Suite 101, Mesa, AZ 85206
Contact: (480) 420-4470 | https://myarizonainjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee structure
5. Rasmussen Injury Law
Focus Area: Personal injury claims with trial experience
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, medical malpractice
Background: The firm has more than three decades of experience resolving personal injury claims in Arizona. Offices are located in Mesa, Tucson, and Glendale. The attorneys are prepared to utilize the court system when insurance carriers undervalue claims. The practice operates on a contingency fee basis where no payment is due unless compensation is recovered.
Location: 2929 North Power Road, Suite 101, Mesa, AZ 85215
Contact: (480) 637-5757 | https://rilfirm.com
Consultation: Free case evaluation, no fee unless the case results in recovery
Personal Injury Laws in Arizona
Statute of Limitations
Arizona law establishes a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542. The deadline begins running from the date of injury in most cases.
Certain claim types have different timelines. Dog bite claims brought under Arizona’s strict liability statute (A.R.S. Section 11-1025) must be filed within one year. Claims against government entities or public employees must be filed within one year, and a written notice of claim must be submitted within 180 days of the injury.
Wrongful death claims follow the two-year rule, with the clock starting from the date of death. The discovery rule may extend deadlines in cases where injuries were not immediately apparent, though courts have limited its application to cases involving injuries that develop over extended periods.
Negligence Rules
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. Section 12-2505. Injured parties can recover damages regardless of their percentage of fault, as long as they are not 100% responsible for the accident. Compensation is reduced proportionally based on the plaintiff’s share of responsibility.
For example, if a plaintiff is found 30% at fault in an accident that caused $50,000 in damages, they can still recover $35,000 (70% of the total). This differs from modified comparative negligence states where plaintiffs who exceed a certain fault threshold are barred from any recovery.
When a defendant causes harm intentionally or through willful misconduct, they cannot raise the plaintiff’s comparative negligence as a defense.
Damage Caps
Arizona does not cap damages in personal injury cases. The Arizona Constitution prohibits legislative limits on the amount of damages a plaintiff can recover. This applies to all personal injury claims, including those against government entities and medical malpractice lawsuits. There are no caps on economic damages, non-economic damages, or punitive damages in Arizona personal injury litigation.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Arizona is an at-fault state where the driver who causes an accident is financially responsible for resulting damages. The state mandates minimum liability insurance coverage under A.R.S. Section 28-4009:
- $25,000 per person for bodily injury or death
- $50,000 per accident for bodily injury or death (for two or more persons)
- $15,000 for property damage
Insurance companies must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, though drivers can decline it. Given that approximately 12% of Arizona drivers are estimated to be uninsured, this optional coverage can provide protection when at-fault parties lack adequate insurance.
Arizona follows pure comparative fault principles in accident claims, allowing fault to be divided between parties. The state also permits diminished value claims, allowing drivers to recover the reduction in their vehicle’s resale value after an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Arizona’s extreme heat affect vehicle accidents and personal injury claims in Mesa?
Mesa and the greater Phoenix area experience summer temperatures exceeding 110 degrees Fahrenheit. These conditions can cause tire blowouts, engine failures, and impaired driver concentration. For personal injury claims, evidence preservation becomes critical as vehicle components may deteriorate rapidly in storage. Medical documentation should address heat-related complications such as burns from hot pavement or vehicle surfaces during an accident. Insurance adjusters may attempt to attribute accidents to vehicle maintenance issues rather than driver negligence.
What special considerations apply to accidents involving snowbirds and out-of-state drivers in Mesa?
The East Valley sees a significant influx of seasonal residents during winter months. Accidents involving out-of-state drivers can complicate jurisdictional issues and insurance claims. Some out-of-state policies may have lower coverage limits than Arizona minimums. Serving legal documents on defendants who have returned to other states requires following interstate service rules. Arizona courts have jurisdiction over accidents that occurred within state borders, but collection of judgments may require additional legal steps in the defendant’s home state.
How do accidents on the US-60 Superstition Freeway affect personal injury claims in Mesa?
The US-60 Superstition Freeway runs through Mesa and experiences heavy commuter traffic. Multi-vehicle accidents on this corridor often involve complex liability determinations. The Arizona Department of Transportation maintains traffic data and incident reports that can support claims. Construction zones along the freeway may shift liability to contractors or government entities. Claims involving commercial vehicles traveling this route require investigation into the trucking company’s safety records and driver qualifications.
What is the process for filing a claim if I am injured on Mesa city property?
Injuries occurring on Mesa city property, such as parks, sidewalks, or municipal buildings, require filing a notice of claim with the City of Mesa within 180 days of the injury. The notice must include specific information about the incident location, injuries sustained, and compensation sought. Arizona’s claim notice requirements are strictly enforced, and failure to file within the deadline typically bars any subsequent lawsuit. The city has 60 days to respond to the claim. If denied, a lawsuit must be filed within one year of the injury date.
How does Arizona’s one-year statute of limitations for dog bites affect claims in Mesa?
Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners under A.R.S. Section 11-1025, meaning an owner is responsible for bite injuries regardless of whether the dog had previously shown aggressive behavior. However, this strict liability claim must be filed within one year, not the standard two years for other personal injury claims. If pursuing a negligence-based claim against the owner, the two-year deadline applies. Most dog bite cases combine both strict liability and negligence theories, so the one-year deadline effectively controls. Claims should document the attack location, identify the dog’s owner, and obtain animal control records if available.