Practice areas
Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle in Scottsdale and Across the Valley
The most common types of personal injury cases come from car, truck, motorcycle, pedestrian, bicycle and rideshare crashes, dog bites and the loss of a loved one. Valley Accident Law helps people hurt in each of them across the Phoenix metro. This page explains each type of claim, the damages that may be available and where to read more.
Reviewed by Charles Paglialunga, Esq.
- Filing deadline
- 2 years from the injury for most claims
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
- Wrongful death
- 2 years from the date of death
- A.R.S. 12-542(2)
- Damage caps
- None on personal injury or death damages
- Ariz. Const. art. 2 sec. 31; art. 18 sec. 6
Types of Personal Injury Cases in Arizona
Personal injury law covers claims where someone is hurt because another person or company was careless or acted wrongfully. The types of personal injury law you hear about most are negligence claims, such as a driver who runs a red light, and claims that rest on a specific Arizona statute, such as the dog bite law.
What the types of personal injury claims have in common is a simple question: who was responsible, and what did it cost the person who was hurt? The answer depends on the facts, the available insurance and the deadlines that apply. If you are not sure which type fits your situation, a free case review is the easiest way to find out.
Below are the case types we help with, grouped by how the injury happened. Each page explains the rules that matter for that kind of claim. The statewide pages come first, followed by our Scottsdale pages and the Valley city pages.
Arizona
Our Practice Areas Across Arizona
Start with the statewide page for your type of case. Each one explains the rules, the evidence and the deadlines that matter, wherever in Arizona you were hurt.
Scottsdale Crash and Collision Pages
Our Scottsdale office has a page for each kind of crash. Each one covers the rules, the evidence and the insurance questions for that kind of crash.
Scottsdale Injury and Loss Pages
Not every injury happens in a crash. These pages explain other claims we help with.
Types of Damages in Personal Injury Cases
Whatever the type of case, the law looks at what the injury has cost you. These are the main types of damages in personal injury cases.
- Medical expenses
Treatment you have already received and care you are likely to need in the future.
- Lost income
Wages you could not earn while you recovered, and in serious cases, a reduced ability to earn in the future.
- Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment
The physical pain and the ways the injury has changed your daily life. Arizona does not cap personal injury or death damages (Ariz. Const. art. 2 sec. 31; art. 18 sec. 6).
- Property damage
Repair or replacement of a vehicle or other property. Property damage claims also have a two-year deadline (A.R.S. 12-542(3)).
- Punitive damages
Rarely, when someone acted with an “evil mind,” which must be shown by clear and convincing evidence (Linthicum v. Nationwide, Ariz. 1986).
Choosing a Lawyer for Personal Injury Cases
A lawyer for personal injury cases should be someone you can reach, who explains the process in plain language and puts the fee agreement in writing. Read how to choose a personal injury lawyer, see how we work, and learn about Charles Paglialunga before you decide.
Questions
Questions about practice areas
What are the most common types of personal injury cases?
Car accidents are the most common, followed by truck, motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle crashes, dog bites, and wrongful death. Falls and product injuries also come up often.
What if my case does not fit a category on this page?
Call us anyway. If we can help, we will tell you, and if we cannot, we will tell you honestly and point you in a useful direction.
Do all types of personal injury claims have the same deadline?
No. Most Arizona injury claims have a two-year deadline (A.R.S. 12-542(1)), but dog bites and some other claims have different rules, and a claim against a public entity needs a written notice of claim within 180 days (A.R.S. 12-821.01). These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.
Does it cost anything to find out which type of claim I have?
No. Your free case review is confidential and there is no obligation. You pay no attorney fee unless we recover money for you.
Free case review
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Call (602) 584-8054 for a free case review. Our experienced and friendly attorney will explain your legal rights. The earlier you call, the better, but it’s never too late to find out your legal rights.
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