1. Gallagher & Kennedy
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Catastrophic Injury Litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, medical malpractice, wrongful death, premises liability, product liability
Background: Over 40 years of experience handling personal injury cases and catastrophic injury lawsuits. The firm has 210 years of combined legal experience among its personal injury team and has obtained over $500 million for accident victims and their families. Offers personalized service with the resources of a large firm.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ (Maricopa County)
Contact: https://www.gallagherkennedyinjury.com
Consultation: Free consultations and case evaluations available
2. Scottsdale Injury Lawyers LLC
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Civil Rights Litigation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, personal injury, civil rights cases, police misconduct, catastrophic injuries
Background: Led by principal attorney Charles “Tony” Piccuta, a second-generation attorney admitted to practice in four states including Arizona, California, Illinois, and Nevada, all passing bar exams on the first try. The firm has over 40 years of combined experience. Known for taking over cases from other firms and achieving results where previous attorneys were unsuccessful.
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Contact: (480) 900-7390 | https://www.scottsdaleinjurylawyers.com
Consultation: Free and confidential consultations available 24/7
3. Goldberg & Osborne
Focus Area: Personal Injury Representation
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, dog bites, pedestrian accidents
Background: Practicing Arizona personal injury law for 23 years. The firm began in 1989 and has expanded to become one of the largest personal injury law firms in Arizona. Has helped over 60,000 clients. Multiple office locations throughout Arizona make face-to-face interaction convenient for clients.
Location: Scottsdale office and multiple locations throughout Arizona
Contact: 1-800-THE-EAGLE | https://1800theeagle.com
Consultation: Free consultation available; contingency fee basis
4. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Accident Claims
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, wrongful death, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents
Background: One of the largest personal injury law firms in Arizona with offices in Phoenix, Glendale, Mesa, Tucson, Yuma, Gilbert, Bullhead City, and serving Scottsdale. Lifetime member of Best Attorneys of America. Legal team available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Location: Serving Scottsdale from Phoenix-area offices
Contact: (602) 977-1900 | https://lernerandrowe.com
Consultation: Free consultation via phone, LiveChat, or online form
5. The Sorenson Law Firm
Focus Area: Personal Injury and Civil Litigation
Practice Areas: Personal injury, real estate litigation, construction disputes, appellate law, civil litigation
Background: Based in Tempe with over 40 years of combined experience. The firm serves Scottsdale residents with expertise in personal injury as well as complex civil litigation matters. Known for a client-centric approach and deep community ties throughout Arizona.
Location: Suite 226, 950 West Elliot Road, Tempe, AZ 85284 (serving Scottsdale)
Contact: https://sorensonlaw.net
Consultation: Free initial consultation available
Personal Injury Laws in Arizona
Statute of Limitations
Arizona has a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542. This means you have two years from the date of your injury to file a lawsuit in court. The clock begins running on the date of the injury, not when you discover the full extent of your damages.
Wrongful death claims also follow a two-year statute of limitations, beginning from the date of death. Product liability claims have a two-year statute of limitations with a twelve-year statute of repose from when the product was first sold.
Claims against government entities have shorter deadlines. You must file a notice of claim within 180 days of the injury, and then you have one year to file a lawsuit if the claim is denied.
Negligence Rules
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-2505. This means you can recover damages even if you are partially at fault for your injuries, though your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. Unlike some states, Arizona does not bar recovery if you are more than 50% at fault. Even if you are 99% responsible for an accident, you can still recover 1% of your damages from the other party.
When the defendant causes injury intentionally or through willful or wanton misconduct, they cannot use your comparative negligence as a defense.
Damage Caps
Arizona does not impose caps on damages in personal injury cases. The Arizona Constitution at Article 2, Section 31 prohibits damage caps, meaning there are no limits on economic damages such as medical expenses and lost wages, or on non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. This applies to all personal injury claims including medical malpractice cases. Government entities and some medical practitioners may have immunity in certain situations, but no statutory damage caps apply to personal injury awards.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Arizona is an at-fault state, meaning the driver who causes an accident is responsible for the resulting damages. Drivers must carry minimum liability insurance of 25/50/15:
Bodily Injury Liability: Minimum of $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This coverage pays for injuries you cause to others in an at-fault accident.
Property Damage Liability: Minimum of $15,000 per accident. This covers damage to other vehicles or property.
These minimums have been in effect since July 1, 2020. Arizona does not require personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, though insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage and drivers must reject it in writing if they do not want it. Arizona is also one of 15 states that allows diminished value claims against the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for filing a personal injury claim after a car accident on Scottsdale Road or the Loop 101?
You have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit in Arizona courts. This deadline applies to all types of negligence-based claims including car accidents, motorcycle crashes, and pedestrian incidents. If you were injured on heavily traveled routes like Scottsdale Road, the Loop 101, or near entertainment districts in Old Town Scottsdale, you should consult with an attorney promptly to preserve evidence and witness statements.
How does Arizona’s pure comparative fault system affect my personal injury case?
Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule means you can recover compensation even if you are partially at fault for your accident. Your damages will be reduced by your percentage of responsibility. For instance, if you are found 40% at fault for a collision at a Scottsdale intersection and your total damages are $150,000, you would receive $90,000. Unlike Florida and Texas, Arizona does not bar recovery if your fault exceeds 50%.
Can I file a claim if I was injured at a Scottsdale resort, golf course, or shopping center?
Property owners in Arizona have a duty to maintain reasonably safe conditions for visitors. If you are injured due to a dangerous condition at a resort, golf course like TPC Scottsdale or Troon North, or at Scottsdale Fashion Square, you may have a premises liability claim. Common incidents include slip and fall accidents, inadequate security, swimming pool accidents, and golf cart injuries. You must prove the property owner knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to address it.
What happens if I am hit by an uninsured driver in Maricopa County?
If you are injured by an uninsured driver in Scottsdale or elsewhere in Maricopa County, recovery options depend on your own insurance coverage. Arizona does not require uninsured motorist coverage, but insurers must offer it. If you carry UM/UIM coverage, you can file a claim with your own insurer to cover medical bills and other damages. Without this coverage, you would need to pursue the at-fault driver personally, which may yield limited results if they lack assets.
What damages can I recover in an Arizona personal injury lawsuit?
Arizona allows recovery of both economic and non-economic damages with no caps. Economic damages include past and future medical expenses, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and property damage. Non-economic damages cover pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and disability or disfigurement. In cases involving wrongful death, surviving family members can seek compensation for loss of financial support, funeral expenses, and loss of companionship.