1. Schmidt, Sethi & Akmajian (AZ Injury Law)
Focus Area: Personal injury, medical malpractice, catastrophic injury
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycle accidents, pedestrian injuries, dog bites, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability
Background: The firm has operated for over 40 years in the Tucson area and has recovered more than $150 million for clients. Attorneys are board-certified and have received recognition including AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Arizona Super Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers Top 100, and inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America. The firm reports that 98% of cases end in fair settlement, demonstrating strong negotiation capabilities while maintaining extensive trial experience.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact: (520) 790-5600 | https://www.azinjurylaw.com/
Consultation: Free case evaluation, contingency fee arrangement
2. Hollingsworth Kelly Law Firm
Focus Area: Catastrophic personal injury and medical malpractice
Practice Areas: Medical malpractice, motor vehicle accidents, catastrophic and serious injury, wrongful death, personal injury litigation
Background: The firm combines 50 years of courtroom experience representing victims of serious injuries. Louis Hollingsworth is a Certified Specialist in Injury and Wrongful Death Litigation by the State Bar of Arizona and has obtained jury verdicts and settlements exceeding millions of dollars. The firm has been recognized as a Best Law Firm in U.S. News & World Report since 2012. Attorney Brian Kelly joined after serving 22 years on the Pima County Superior Court bench.
Location: 3501 North Campbell, Suite 104, Tucson, Arizona 85719
Contact: (520) 882-8080 | https://www.hollingsworthlaw.com/
Consultation: Free consultation for immediate assistance
3. Goldberg & Osborne
Focus Area: Personal injury and wrongful death claims
Practice Areas: Auto accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, medical malpractice, wrongful death, product liability, dog bites
Background: The firm has practiced personal injury law in Arizona since 1989 and has been accredited by the Better Business Bureau since 1995. Managing Attorney Lisa Kimmel is an Arizona Bar Certified Specialist in Injury & Wrongful Death. The firm has settled cases for over 60,000 clients and recovered more than $2 billion in compensation across various case types throughout Arizona.
Location: Tucson, Arizona (multiple Arizona locations)
Contact: 1-800-THE-EAGLE (1-800-843-3245) | https://1800theeagle.com/
Consultation: Free case review with no obligation, no fees unless case is won or settled
4. Rockafellow Law Firm
Focus Area: Serious personal injury and wrongful death
Practice Areas: Motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, slip and fall accidents, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, birth injuries, brain injuries, spinal injuries
Background: The firm has provided legal representation to accident victims in Tucson for more than 35 years with over 40 years of combined experience. Founder Leighton H. Rockafellow holds an AV Preeminent Peer Review Rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is certified as a specialist in personal injury and wrongful death litigation.
Location: Tucson, Arizona (serves Pima County and throughout Arizona)
Contact: (520) 334-1354 | https://www.rockafellowlaw.com/
Consultation: Free, no obligation consultation available during business hours and by appointment evenings and weekends, contingency fee basis
5. Grabb & Durando
Focus Area: Personal injury and accident cases
Practice Areas: Car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, wrongful death, catastrophic injuries
Background: The firm focuses on results-driven legal representation for accident victims in Tucson. Their attorneys work to secure maximum compensation through both settlement negotiations and trial advocacy when necessary.
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Contact: (520) 222-2222 | https://grabbanddurando.com/
Consultation: Free consultation offered
Personal Injury Laws in Arizona
Statute of Limitations
Arizona provides a two-year statute of limitations for most personal injury claims under A.R.S. § 12-542. This deadline runs from the date of injury in most cases. Wrongful death claims also have a two-year limitation period, typically beginning from the date of death.
Certain claims have shorter deadlines. Dog bite cases filed under Arizona’s strict liability statute (A.R.S. § 11-1025) must be brought within one year. Since most dog bite cases include both strict liability and negligence claims, the practical deadline is one year to preserve all legal options.
Claims against Arizona government entities require filing a notice of claim within 180 days of injury under A.R.S. § 12-821.01. This notice is a prerequisite to filing suit and must contain specific information about the claim. After providing notice, the lawsuit must generally be filed within one year of the injury date.
Arizona’s discovery rule may toll the statute of limitations when an injury is not immediately apparent. The clock starts when the injured party knew or reasonably should have known about the injury and its cause.
Negligence Rules
Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence system under A.R.S. § 12-2505. An injured party’s recovery is reduced by their percentage of fault, but they can recover damages even if they are primarily responsible for the accident. If a plaintiff is found 70% at fault and their damages total $100,000, they can still recover $30,000.
This pure comparative fault approach is more favorable to plaintiffs than modified comparative negligence systems used in many states, which bar recovery when the plaintiff’s fault exceeds 50%.
When a defendant causes injury intentionally or through willful or wanton misconduct, Arizona law prohibits that defendant from raising the plaintiff’s comparative negligence as a defense.
Damage Caps
Arizona’s Constitution explicitly prohibits caps on damages in personal injury cases under Article 2, Section 31. This means there are no statutory limits on compensatory damages (medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering) or punitive damages in personal injury lawsuits.
This constitutional protection extends to all types of personal injury claims, including medical malpractice cases, making Arizona notably different from states that impose caps on non-economic or punitive damages.
Auto Insurance Requirements
Arizona is an at-fault (tort) state, meaning the driver who causes an accident bears financial responsibility for resulting damages. Arizona requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance of 25/50/15:
- $25,000 for bodily injury per person
- $50,000 for bodily injury per accident
- $15,000 for property damage per accident
These requirements increased from the previous 15/30/10 minimums effective July 1, 2020. Insurers must offer uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage to policyholders, though drivers can reject this coverage. Given that approximately 12% of Arizona drivers are uninsured, UM/UIM coverage provides valuable protection.
Arizona recognizes diminished value claims, allowing accident victims to recover the difference between their vehicle’s pre-accident value and post-repair value from the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the time limit for filing a personal injury claim in Tucson?
Arizona law provides two years from the date of injury to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. However, if your claim involves a government entity such as the City of Tucson, Pima County, or a state agency, you must file a notice of claim within 180 days of your injury before you can pursue a lawsuit. Dog bite claims filed under Arizona’s strict liability statute have a one-year deadline. Missing these deadlines typically results in losing the right to pursue legal action, so consulting with an attorney promptly after an accident is advisable.
Does Arizona limit how much I can recover in a personal injury case?
No. Arizona’s Constitution prohibits legislative caps on damages in personal injury cases. Unlike many states that limit pain and suffering awards or cap damages in medical malpractice claims, Arizona allows juries to award whatever amount they determine appropriate based on the evidence. This applies to economic damages, non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, and punitive damages. The absence of damage caps makes Arizona relatively favorable for plaintiffs with serious injuries.
How does fault affect my personal injury claim in Arizona?
Arizona uses a pure comparative negligence system, which means you can recover compensation even if you were partially or mostly at fault for the accident. Your award is reduced by your percentage of responsibility. If you are found 25% at fault and your damages total $80,000, you can recover $60,000. This differs from states where being more than 50% at fault bars any recovery. Insurance adjusters and defense attorneys often try to shift blame to the injured party to reduce settlements, making documentation of the accident scene and witness statements valuable.
What should I do immediately after a car accident in Tucson?
Safety is the priority. Check for injuries, call 911 if anyone is hurt, and move vehicles from traffic if possible. Exchange insurance and contact information with other drivers and obtain witness contact details. Document the scene with photographs showing vehicle positions, damage, road conditions, traffic signals, and any visible injuries. Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor, as some conditions manifest later. Report the accident to your insurance company but avoid giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer before consulting an attorney. Arizona law requires accidents with injuries, death, or property damage exceeding $1,000 to be reported.
Can I pursue a claim if the other driver was uninsured or underinsured?
Yes. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage on your own policy, you can file a claim with your insurer to cover damages the at-fault driver cannot pay. Arizona insurers must offer UM/UIM coverage, though you can decline it in writing. If your damages exceed what the at-fault driver’s insurance covers and you lack UIM coverage, you can pursue a personal injury lawsuit directly against the driver. Collecting on such judgments can be difficult if the driver lacks assets, making adequate UM/UIM coverage a prudent investment in Arizona where about 12% of drivers operate without insurance.