What if I Believe the Fall Was Partly My Fault?
Arizona law allows you to recover damages even if you were partially responsible for the accident. The state follows a pure comparative negligence rule, which means your total compensation is reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you.
For example, if you’re found to be 10% responsible, you can still collect 90% of your total damages. Insurance companies often try to blame the victim as much as possible to lower the payout. A skilled attorney fights to protect you from unfair accusations and prove the property owner’s liability.
How Long Do I Have To File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Arizona?
In Arizona, you generally have two years from the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is known as the statute of limitations, and failing to file a claim within this two-year window almost always results in the court dismissing your case.
Some exceptions, such as claims against government bodies, have much shorter deadlines, making it important to contact a slip and fall injury lawyer in Phoenix as soon as possible.
What if I Fell at a Friend’s or Family Member’s House?
Many people hesitate to file a claim if they fall at a friend’s or relative’s home; it’s natural not to want to create a financial hardship for someone you know. However, these claims are almost always filed against the person’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy, not against the individual personally.
The purpose of this insurance is to cover exactly these types of incidents, allowing you to get compensation for your injuries without causing a personal financial problem for your friend.
What Should I Do if the Property Owner’s Insurance Company Contacts Me?
You should politely decline to provide any detailed information or a recorded statement without first speaking with a Phoenix premises liability lawyer. The insurance adjuster’s job is to protect their company by minimizing or denying your claim.
Adjusters may ask questions designed to get you to say something that hurts your case, such as downplaying your injuries or admitting partial fault. Simply tell the adjuster that your lawyer will contact them, and then call an attorney to handle all communications for you.
What Kind of Evidence Is Helpful to a Phoenix Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer?
A Phoenix premises liability attorney uses a variety of evidence to build a strong slip and fall claim. Photographs or videos of the accident scene that show the hazard are very powerful. Incident reports, statements from any witnesses, and your complete medical records are all helpful.
Your attorney also works to obtain security surveillance footage, property maintenance logs, and employee records to prove that the dangerous condition existed and the owner should have known about it.
