Intersection Accidents in Arizona
Intersections are where paths cross, so they are where many of the most serious crashes happen — left turns, red-light runners, and failures to yield. These cases usually come down to who had the right of way.
Right of way and left turns
Many intersection crashes involve a driver turning left across traffic or entering against a signal. A driver turning left generally must yield to oncoming traffic, and a driver entering on a red or a stop sign is often at fault — but the specific facts and signal timing decide it.
Proving who had the right of way
Because both drivers often insist they had the green or the right of way, independent evidence is key — the crash report, traffic-camera or nearby footage, signal timing, and witnesses. That evidence frequently determines the outcome.
Serious injuries from crossing impacts
Intersection crashes often involve side impacts and higher speeds, which can cause significant injuries. As always, a claim should reflect the full medical picture, including care that may be needed down the road.
How we help
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Frequently asked questions
Who is at fault in a left-turn accident?
Usually the driver turning left, because they generally must yield to oncoming traffic — but not always. If the oncoming driver ran a red light or was speeding, fault can shift or be shared. The facts decide it.
How do I prove the other driver ran the light?
Traffic-camera or nearby footage, signal timing, the crash report, and witness accounts all help. Because both drivers often claim the green, this independent evidence is important.
The other driver blames me. Can I still recover?
Often, yes. These states let you recover even if partly at fault, with your share deducted, so countering an inflated blame argument protects your claim.
How do you prove who had the right of way at an intersection?
With the crash report, witness statements, signal timing, and any video from traffic or business cameras. Because footage is often overwritten within days, acting quickly to preserve it can be decisive.
The other driver ran a red light but blames me. What now?
Running a light or stop sign is a failure to yield and usually points to that driver's fault. Their blame is a factual question answered by the evidence, not a given.
A driver turned left in front of me. Whose fault is that?
A driver turning left generally must yield to oncoming traffic, so turning across your path is often the heart of the case. The specific facts still matter, which a review sorts out.
Why are intersection crashes often serious?
Side-impact and turning crashes at intersections can hit the more vulnerable side of a vehicle, causing serious injuries. That severity is one reason these claims should be documented fully.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Arizona?
Every state sets a filing deadline — a statute of limitations — and missing it can bar your claim no matter how strong it is. The window in Arizona depends on the type of claim and who is involved, and claims against a government entity carry much shorter notice deadlines. Because these are firm, confirm yours early.
What if I was partly at fault for the crash?
You may still recover even if you share some blame. Arizona reduces a recovery by your percentage of fault rather than barring it, so being assigned part of the fault affects the amount, not your right to a claim.
What if the other driver had no insurance?
You may still have options. Your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage can sometimes step in, including in many hit-and-run cases, and there may be other sources of recovery. A free review can explain what may be available.
Should I give the insurance company a recorded statement?
Usually not to the other driver's insurer, and it is wise to get advice first. You are generally not required to, and an early statement can be used to minimize your claim before you understand your injuries.
Should I see a doctor even if I feel okay?
Yes, please do. Adrenaline can mask injuries, and some — concussions, soft-tissue, and internal injuries — do not show symptoms for hours or days. Prompt care protects your health and creates a record connecting your injuries to the crash.
Should I accept the first settlement offer?
Usually not before you understand what your claim may be worth. First offers are often low and are made before your treatment is complete, and once you sign a release the claim is generally closed for good.
How much is my car accident case worth?
There is no set formula — it depends on your injuries, treatment, lost income, and fault. Our attorney evaluates that for free; anyone quoting a number without reviewing your case is guessing.
Why does a gap in my treatment matter?
Insurers use gaps or missed appointments to argue an injury was not serious or came from something else. Getting consistent care and following the treatment plan protects both your health and your claim.
How long does a car accident case take?
There is no single timeline. Some resolve in months; others take longer when injuries are serious or fault is disputed. We never rush your recovery, and we keep you informed at each step.
How much does a car accident lawyer cost?
We handle car accident claims on a contingency basis, which means no fee unless we recover for you, and the initial review is always free. Cost should never stop you from finding out where you stand.
Do I have to pay taxes on my settlement?
Compensation for a physical injury is often treated differently from ordinary income, and much of a typical injury settlement may not be taxed the way a paycheck is — but it can depend on what each part is for. This is general information, not tax advice; confirm your situation with a tax professional.
Do I really need a lawyer for a car accident?
You are never required to hire one, but insurers work to pay as little as possible, and having someone build the evidence and handle the claim can help while you focus on recovering. A free review is a no-pressure way to learn where you stand.
Arizona law — what people ask
How long do I have to file an injury claim in Arizona?
Generally two years. But if a public entity is involved you must serve a formal notice of claim within 180 days and file suit within one year — and Arizona runs a much shorter one-year clock on dog-bite strict-liability claims specifically.
Can I still recover if I was partly at fault in Arizona?
Yes. Arizona applies pure comparative negligence, so fault reduces your recovery rather than ending the claim, and there is no percentage at which it cuts off. Arizona also treats fault questions as belonging to the jury rather than being resolved beforehand.
Does Arizona cap what I can recover?
No — and this sets Arizona apart from most states. Its constitution prohibits laws limiting damages for injury or death, and that applies to medical-malpractice claims too, where most states impose a cap. If you have read that pain and suffering is capped, that is not Arizona law.
What if more than one party was responsible?
Arizona generally applies several liability, so each responsible party answers for its own share rather than the whole judgment. That makes identifying every responsible party early a practical question about what is actually collectible.
The driver who hit me had no insurance. What now?
Your own uninsured or underinsured coverage is the usual route. Arizona also requires insurers to offer that coverage in writing — so if you were told your policy carries none, the underwriting file is worth checking before that answer is accepted.
Will the jury hear that my health insurance paid my bills?
Usually not — Arizona generally follows the collateral source rule. Medical-negligence cases are the statutory exception, where that evidence has been made admissible, which changes how medical damages are presented in those claims specifically.
Injury law in Arizona
Arizona injury law has some features that set it apart from its neighbors.
- Filing deadline: Arizona generally gives you two years from the injury to file, but only 180 days to serve a notice of claim on a public entity.
- Fault: Arizona follows pure comparative negligence — being partly, or even mostly, at fault reduces your recovery but does not bar it.
- Damage caps: Arizona is unusual: its constitution prohibits caps on injury or death damages, so a statutory cap does not limit what you can recover.
- Multiple defendants: Arizona generally applies several (not joint) liability, so each responsible party is accountable for its own share.
Related car accident types
California injury law
This is general information about Arizona injury law, not legal advice. Every case is different.
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