1. Hastings & Hastings PC
Focus Area: Personal injury representation with a discount fee structure designed to maximize client recovery
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, dog bites, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: Established in 1979, the firm has over 90 years of combined legal experience across its attorney team. Hastings & Hastings operates 12 offices throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area and has developed a reputation for strong negotiation outcomes with insurance companies.
Location: 64 E Broadway Rd., Suite 200, Tempe, AZ 85282
Contact: (480) 706-1100 | https://www.hastingsandhastings.com
Consultation: Free initial consultation with a licensed attorney, contingency fee basis with discounted rates
2. Lerner and Rowe Injury Attorneys
Focus Area: High-volume personal injury practice serving clients throughout Arizona with 24/7 availability
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, dog bites, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, brain injuries
Background: The firm has grown to become one of the largest personal injury practices in Arizona with office locations in Phoenix, Chandler, Glendale, Mesa, Tucson, and other cities. Attorneys are available around the clock and the firm is a lifetime member of the organization formerly known as Best Attorneys of America.
Location: Phoenix-area offices serving Tempe, AZ
Contact: (602) 977-1900 | https://lernerandrowe.com
Consultation: Free consultation available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
3. The Sorenson Law Firm
Focus Area: Civil litigation and personal injury with extensive trial experience
Practice Areas: Personal injury, auto accidents, uninsured/underinsured motorist claims, real estate disputes, business litigation, insurance defense
Background: Over 40 years of experience representing clients in civil cases. The firm holds an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review System, indicating the highest attainable rating for professional ability and ethics. Managing attorney Johnny J. Sorenson has experience on both plaintiff and defense sides of personal injury litigation.
Location: Tempe, AZ (Phoenix metropolitan area)
Contact: Visit website for contact | https://sorensonlaw.net
Consultation: Initial consultation available upon request
4. Feller & Wendt, LLC
Focus Area: Personalized personal injury representation with aggressive litigation approach
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries, brain injuries
Background: The firm emphasizes direct attorney-client relationships and provides weekly case updates to clients. Attorneys handle cases throughout Arizona and take a client-centered approach to evaluating injury claims and calculating appropriate compensation demands.
Location: Tempe, AZ office (serving Phoenix metropolitan area)
Contact: (480) 702-2277 | https://www.fellerwendt.com
Consultation: Free consultation with no obligation, legal services provided regardless of immigration status
5. Goldberg & Osborne
Focus Area: Personal injury litigation serving clients throughout Arizona
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, product liability
Background: Over 23 years practicing personal injury law in Arizona. The firm maintains multiple office locations throughout the state to provide face-to-face access to clients. Goldberg & Osborne has been recognized as a personal injury law firm in Arizona through various industry surveys.
Location: Multiple Arizona locations serving Tempe
Contact: 1-800-THE-EAGLE | https://1800theeagle.com
Consultation: Free consultation, no fees or costs until case is settled or won
Personal Injury Laws in Arizona
Statute of Limitations: Arizona provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under Arizona Revised Statutes Section 12-542. This includes car accidents, slip and fall injuries, and general negligence claims. The clock typically begins on the date of injury. Dog bite claims brought under Arizona’s strict liability statute (A.R.S. Section 11-1025) have a shortened one-year filing deadline. Claims against government entities, employees, or public schools must be filed within one year, and written notice of the claim must be provided within 180 days of the injury under A.R.S. Section 12-821.01.
Negligence Rule: Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. Section 12-2505. Under this rule, an injured party can recover damages even if they are primarily at fault for their own injuries. The total damages award is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the plaintiff. For example, if a plaintiff is found 70% responsible for an accident but suffered $100,000 in damages, they can still recover $30,000. There is no threshold percentage that bars recovery entirely, unlike modified comparative negligence states.
Damage Caps: The Arizona Constitution (Article 2, Section 31) prohibits caps on damages in personal injury cases. Arizona is one of only five states that consider damage caps unconstitutional. There are no limits on economic or non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, in personal injury lawsuits. However, punitive damages cannot be recovered against public entities in Arizona, though they remain available against private defendants in cases involving egregious conduct.
Auto Insurance Requirements: Arizona operates as an at-fault state for auto insurance purposes. Drivers must carry minimum liability coverage of 25/50/15, meaning $25,000 for bodily injury per person, $50,000 for bodily injury per accident, and $15,000 for property damage. These limits took effect July 1, 2020. Insurance companies must offer uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage and medical payments coverage (MedPay), though drivers may reject these coverages in writing. Arizona follows a pure comparative fault system for determining liability in accidents, allowing injured parties to file claims against at-fault drivers’ insurance companies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I still recover compensation in Arizona if I was partially at fault for my accident?
A: Yes. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence system allows you to recover damages even if you were mostly at fault. Your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you were 60% at fault for a $50,000 claim, you could still recover $20,000. This system differs from many states that bar recovery once fault exceeds 50% or 51%.
Q: What is the deadline for notifying the government if I was injured by a city vehicle or on public property in Tempe?
A: You must file a written notice of claim with the appropriate government entity within 180 days of your injury under Arizona law. This is a strict prerequisite that must be completed before you can file a lawsuit. After providing notice, you have one year from the date of injury to file suit. Missing the 180-day notice deadline will likely bar your claim entirely, regardless of its merit.
Q: How does Arizona’s at-fault insurance system affect my accident claim?
A: Arizona’s at-fault system means the driver who caused the accident is financially responsible for resulting damages. You file a claim against the at-fault driver’s insurance company rather than your own. If that driver’s coverage is insufficient, you may need to rely on your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage or pursue the at-fault driver personally. Unlike no-fault states, you do not need to meet an injury threshold to sue for damages.
Q: Are there limits on how much I can recover for pain and suffering in Arizona?
A: No. Arizona’s Constitution prohibits damage caps in personal injury cases. You can recover the full value of your non-economic damages, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and similar harms, as determined by a jury. This constitutional protection makes Arizona one of the most plaintiff-friendly states regarding damage recovery.
Q: What should I do if I am bitten by a dog in the Tempe area?
A: Arizona imposes strict liability on dog owners under A.R.S. Section 11-1025, meaning owners are responsible for bite injuries regardless of whether they knew the dog was dangerous or acted negligently. You have one year from the date of the bite to file a claim under this statute. Document the incident, obtain the owner’s information, seek medical treatment, and report the bite to Maricopa County Animal Care and Control. Photograph your injuries and preserve any clothing damaged in the attack.