Arizona Time Limits on Injury Lawsuits

Arizona has a statute of limitations law that sets a time limit on bringing personal or bodily injury cases to court. This time limit affects any case you might file in court after an accident, injury or wrongdoing.

In Arizona, you have two years to file a lawsuit related to a personal injury. In most cases, this time limit starts running on the date of your accident. However, if you suffer a hidden injury that is not discovered until later, your two-year time limit might start on the date you discover the injury, rather than the date of the accident.

For claims against a city, county, or the State of Arizona, the limit is 180 days to file formal claim and lawsuits must be filed within one year. (Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 12-821 and § 12-821.01.)

Defining Bodily Injury

Bodily injury differs from personal injury because it refers to a particular injury to the body of a person that was caused by someone else. The bodily injury definition means specific injuries were sustained. Although this term is more commonly used for injuries in criminal cases, there are also implications of bodily injury when it comes to insurance.

Legal Aspects of Bodily Injury

A bodily injury claim typically arises in the insurance context in reference to motor vehicle insurance. AZ’s bodily injury concept means you will claim medical coverage from the at-fault driver after an auto accident.

Bodily injury liability insurance compensates the injuries of other drivers, passengers, or pedestrians in cases where the insured is to blame for an accident. Compensation is provided for the bodily injury involved in the insurance claim. It is different from property damage liability coverage.

What to Do if You Need to File an Accident Claim for Bodily Injury:

• The very first thing you should do after an auto accident is ensure yourself and all involved are able to move away from danger.
• Call the police. The police officer will mediate communications between you and others who were involved in the accident. The officer can route traffic and determine if intoxication or other conditions contributed to the accident and get it into the report.
• Document as much as possible by taking photos of any injuries you may have sustained (remember to continue documenting your injuries after you leave the scene too). Take photos of all vehicles involved and of the entire scene, if possible.
• Get the names, phone numbers, addresses, and insurance specifics from everyone involved in the accident, and provide similar info about yourself to the other drivers.
• Talk to witnesses and try to obtain their contact information.

Compensation & Punitive Damages for Accidents & Personal Injuries

Successful personal injury or accident cases may be awarded compensatory or punitive damages. The financial award in these lawsuits is most often compensatory damages to cover the injured party for their loses and to get the plaintiff back to a “pre-accident way of life.” The damages should include all losses resulting from the negligence of the party at fault, such as:

• Medical Expenses
• Property Damage
• Lost Income
• Emotional Trauma
• Pain and Suffering
• Legal Fees

Collecting Damages & Compensation in Arizona

Compensation for personal injury damages comes from either reaching a settlement or a court judgement determines an award for the damages claimed by the plaintiff in a personal injury lawsuit. When it comes to collecting on these damages, having an attorney on your side throughout the collection process is key. If collecting the money from the party responsible for paying the damages becomes an issue, our highly experienced injury lawyers can ensure what your settlement or award gets paid. We are dedicated to helping injury victims in Arizona achieve successful resolution to their personal injury claims. We know how to navigate the system for maximum compensation for your damages. We care about you and your losses and will fight for you like family.