Did you suffer a catastrophic injury after an accident in Surprise, Arizona? Was another party negligent in causing that injury? You could be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical care and other losses after the incident. Call the Surprise catastrophic injury lawyers at Rack Law Accident Lawyers for help understanding your rights. Our phone number is (602) 661-6300.
Backed by decades of combined experience and a track record of more than 200 million, we are the team you want on your side when the stakes are highest. We are here to help you get justice and move toward a normal and full life.
Why Choose Rack Law Accident Lawyers After a Catastrophic Injury in Surprise, AZ?
A catastrophic injury claim is almost always a high-value claim, and insurance companies know it. They will look for every opening to question your injuries or push you toward a settlement that falls far short of what your future requires. Rack Law Accident Lawyers has the resources and resolve to push back.
Clients throughout Surprise, Arizona, trust our team because we provide:
- Over 40 years of combined legal experience handling serious personal injury cases
- More than $200 million recovered for injury victims and their families
- An exclusive focus on personal injury law and catastrophic injury cases
- The ability to travel to you if you cannot easily leave home or the hospital
- Bilingual staff that allows us to serve clients from many different walks of life
- 24/7 availability so you can reach your legal team whenever questions arise
When you work with Rack Law Accident Lawyers, you are our priority. Reach out today to speak with a Surprise personal injury attorney who will treat your case with the attention it deserves.
What Are Catastrophic Injuries?
Catastrophic injury is a broad term used to describe any injury serious enough to leave a person with permanent impairment or a dramatically reduced quality of life.
It is not one injury or even a set of injuries, even though these injuries frequently affect the brain, spine, or central nervous system. The common thread between catastrophic harms is that they often require ongoing treatment and major lifestyle adjustments.
Injuries that commonly rise to the catastrophic level include:
- Any injury producing lasting incapacity
- Complex bone fractures
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Amputations/loss of limb function
- Third-degree burns
- Damage to internal organs
- Loss of vision or hearing
These injuries often occur in personal injury accidents due to the negligence of one or more careless parties. Accordingly, a personal injury claim is often the most effective way to secure the resources needed for treatment, care, and the losses that follow.
Common Causes of Catastrophic Injuries in Surprise
Catastrophic injuries can arise from almost any kind of accident. But data and patterns show they commonly trace back to a particular group of accidents.
At Rack Law Accident Lawyers, we frequently represent clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries due to:
- Collisions with motor vehicles
- Crashes with commercial trucks
- Motorcycle wrecks
- Pedestrian collisions
- Bicyclist accidents
- Worksite and construction incidents
- Unsafe premises
- Negligent medical treatment
- Dog attacks
- Dangerous products
Because most catastrophic injuries are preventable, each of the situations listed above may give an injured person grounds to seek compensation. An experienced Surprise personal injury lawyer can evaluate whether your accident qualifies for a catastrophic injury claim and provide insight on how much your case might be worth.
How Much Is My Catastrophic Injury Case Worth in Arizona?
Placing a value on a catastrophic injury claim is a complex process. The associated costs can climb into the millions over a lifetime. Getting the figure right is essential, since you typically have only one chance to recover what you need.
Several factors will shape the ultimate value of your case, including:
- The full scope of your past and future medical treatment
- How permanent and limiting your condition is expected to be
- Wages already lost and any reduction in your ability to earn going forward
- Whether you can return to your previous job or work at all
- The physical pain and emotional toll you have carried since the accident
- Any share of fault that could be attributed to you
- The insurance coverage and policy limits available to satisfy your claim
Usually, your attorney will need to collaborate with experts in multiple disciplines (medicine, finance, etc.) to help assess your losses and ensure you are claiming all the money you deserve for your injuries.
Rack Law Accident Lawyers works with leading specialists across Arizona to make sure our clients’ claims are properly valued and that nothing is left on the table.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Surprise Catastrophic Injury Claim?
Arizona law allows catastrophic injury victims to pursue both economic and non-economic damages for their injury-related losses. Together, these categories are designed to account for the complete financial and personal impact the injury has had (and will have) on your life.
Economic damages reimburse your measurable expenses after the accident, such as:
- Hospital bills
- Ongoing medical care
- In-home nursing or long-term care facility costs
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy
- Prescription medications
- Medical supplies
- Specialized equipment like wheelchairs or prosthetics
- Modifications to your home or vehicle for accessibility
- Lost earnings
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Other out-of-pocket costs tied to the injury
Non-economic damages compensate for harms that affect your daily life but do not have a direct financial value. These may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of independence and the inconvenience of altered routines
- Strain on relationships with a spouse or family
When all is said and done, these damages should put you as close as possible to the position you were in before the accident.
Can I Recover Compensation if I’m Partially at Fault in Arizona?
Arizona is one of the few states that follows a pure comparative negligence rule. Under A.R.S. § 12-2505, you can recover damages even if you are mostly responsible for the accident. However, your award will be reduced by your assigned percentage of fault.
For instance, if a jury determines your total damages are $1,000,000 but finds you 30% at fault, your recovery would be reduced to $700,000. You will not be barred from recovering damages if you share fault.
However, insurers may try to exaggerate your responsibility to reduce a large payout. Those accusations are not always true. Our attorneys know how to confront unfair blame-shifting and protect the value of your claim. Reach out today if you are being blamed for your accident.
How Long Do I Have To File a Catastrophic Injury Claim in Arizona?
In most cases, Arizona gives you two years from the date of the injury to file a personal injury lawsuit (see A.R.S. § 12-542). If you allow this window to close, the court will refuse to hear your case, and you will forfeit your right to compensation through the legal system.
Certain situations can shorten or lengthen this timeframe. But you should never assume an exception applies. Speak with our Surprise catastrophic injury lawyers right away so we can identify and meet every deadline that affects your case.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Catastrophic Injury Lawyer in Surprise?
Most catastrophic injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay no attorney fees unless your attorney wins compensation for you. Your law firm’s fee comes as an agreed-upon percentage of the recovery.
Your attorney will also advance the costs of building your case, including expenses for:
- Expert witnesses
- Medical records
- Accident reports
- Subpoenas
- Court filings
If your lawyer does not obtain compensation on your behalf, you generally do not owe attorney fees or case costs. Rack Law Accident Lawyers handles every personal injury matter on a contingency fee basis and offers free consultations.
How Our Surprise Catastrophic Injury Lawyers Can Help
Catastrophic injury claims are too valuable and too complicated to take on without skilled legal representation.
An attorney can handle all the legal aspects of your case, including:
- Investigating the accident and securing evidence before it disappears
- Identifying each party whose negligence played a role in your injury
- Collaborating with medical experts to document your condition
- Working with specialists to assess your future financial losses
- Managing communications with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Negotiating for a complete and fair settlement
- Filing suit and taking your case to trial if the insurer refuses to settle
The earlier you involve an attorney in the process, the stronger your position will be when it comes time to demand compensation.
Schedule a Free Case Review With Our Surprise Catastrophic Injury Lawyers
A catastrophic injury in Surprise, AZ, can reshape every part of your life, from your physical capabilities to your role within your own family. You deserve an advocate who can tell the story of how your accident has affected you and demand that the at-fault party and their insurance company pay up.
At Rack Law Accident Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to pursue every dollar you are owed. Let us help you move toward a more stable future. Call today to schedule your free, confidential case evaluation with a Surprise catastrophic injury attorney.
