Arizona Personal Injury Law Guide
Arizona Personal Injury Law Guide: Plain-English Answers to Common Questions
This Arizona personal injury law guide explains the rules that shape an injury claim in plain English: how long you have to file, how shared fault works, what insurance must cover, how fees and courts work, and what to do in the first days. Most claims are governed by A.R.S. 12-542, which gives most injured people two years to sue, and by pure comparative fault under A.R.S. 12-2505. Each guide cites the statutes behind its answers and explains where the rules have exceptions.
Reviewed by Charles Paglialunga, Esq.
- General filing deadline
- 2 years from the injury
- A.R.S. 12-542(1)
- Fault system
- Pure comparative fault, no percentage bar
- A.R.S. 12-2505
- Minimum liability insurance
- 25/50/15
- A.R.S. 28-4009
- Damage caps
- None on personal injury or death damages
- Ariz. Const. art. 2 sec. 31; art. 18 sec. 6
Arizona Personal Injury Law: A Plain-English Overview
Arizona personal injury law lets a person who was hurt because of someone else’s carelessness seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, and pain and suffering. It covers car crashes, motorcycle crashes, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, dog bites, and many other injuries. Lawyers sometimes call this area tort law, and Arizona tort law is a mix of state statutes, court decisions, and procedural rules.
The guides below are written for people who are not lawyers. They explain what the rules say, why they matter, and where the exceptions are. They are general information, not legal advice, and no guide can replace a conversation about your own dates and facts. Rules also change, so confirm anything that matters to you. If you are not sure where to begin, start with how long you have to file, how shared fault works, and what insurance must cover.
Arizona Negligence Law in Four Parts
Most injury claims rest on negligence. Arizona negligence law asks four questions, and a claim usually needs a good answer to each.
- Duty
Did the other person owe you a duty of reasonable care? Drivers owe other road users a duty to drive safely, and property owners owe visitors a duty to keep a place reasonably safe.
- Breach
Did they fail to meet that duty? Speeding, texting while driving, running a red light, or ignoring a hazard are common examples.
- Causation
Did that failure actually cause your injury? Insurance companies often argue that something else caused the harm, or that a gap in treatment shows it was minor.
- Damages
What did the injury cost you? Medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering are typical categories, and Arizona places no caps on personal injury or death damages. Fault can be shared, and insurance companies and attorneys often negotiate the percentage of fault.
Deadlines and Fault
The two ideas that shape most injury claims are how long you have and who was responsible.
Key Arizona Injury Rules at a Glance
Use this table as a map to the guides below. These rules have exceptions, so call us and we will explain how they apply to you.
| Topic | General rule | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Filing deadline | 2 years from the injury for most claims | A.R.S. 12-542 |
| Claims against a public entity | Notice of claim within 180 days | A.R.S. 12-821.01 |
| Shared fault | Pure comparative, your recovery is reduced but not barred | A.R.S. 12-2505 |
| Multiple defendants | Generally several liability only, with exceptions | A.R.S. 12-2506 |
| Required liability insurance | $25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $15,000 property damage | A.R.S. 28-4009 |
| Dog bites | Owner strictly liable, 1 year for strict liability and 2 years for negligence | A.R.S. 11-1025, 12-541, 12-542 |
| Contingency fees | Written fee agreement required, no statutory cap | Ariz. ER 1.5(c) |
Source: Arizona Revised Statutes and Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct as cited.
Insurance, Fees, and Case Value
How insurance, fees, and liens affect what you actually receive.
How to Use These Guides
Start with the guide closest to your question, then follow the links to related topics. If a deadline is close, do not wait to read everything: call us as soon as you can. Some deadlines, such as the 180-day notice of claim for a public entity, are much shorter than two years. These guides are general information, not legal advice, and reading them does not create an attorney-client relationship.
After a Crash and Special Situations
First steps, records, and the rules for particular kinds of claims.
Courts and Local Resources
Where cases are heard and where to find help locally.
Questions
Questions about Arizona personal injury law guide
What does Arizona personal injury law cover?
It covers claims by people hurt because of someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, including car and truck crashes, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian and bicycle accidents, dog bites, and wrongful death. The details differ by claim type.
How long do I have to file an injury claim in Arizona?
For most personal injury claims the deadline is two years from the injury (A.R.S. 12-542). Shorter deadlines can apply, including 180 days for a notice of claim against a public entity and one year for a dog bite claim based on strict liability. Our guide to the Arizona statute of limitations lists them.
Can I recover if I was partly at fault?
Yes. Arizona uses pure comparative fault (A.R.S. 12-2505), so your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but is not barred.
Is Arizona a no-fault state?
No. Arizona is an at-fault state, which means the driver who caused a crash is responsible for the harm. Fault percentages are often negotiated between the parties and the insurance companies.
Is this guide legal advice?
No. These pages are general information based on Arizona statutes and common practice. Your situation may be different, so talk to us about your specific dates and facts.
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Questions About Your Own Situation?
If you were hurt and want to know how these rules apply to you, call (602) 584-8054 or request 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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