Personal injuries can happen to anyone at any time. Usually they occur at the least convenient times, preventing you from scoring that big job interview or graduation day. Whether your injury was the cause of a trip or fall, a workplace accident, or a road traffic collision, the impact it has on your life can devastate you.
When you suffer a personal injury in Arizona (including Tucson), you must take immediate action to protect your rights. Otherwise, you might find yourself missing out on the compensation you rightfully deserve. You have already suffered an injury. You shouldn’t have to face paying the medical bills by yourself, either.
A personal injury checklist is a handy tool to consult in the event of an accident. These checklists provide detailed information on the steps you ought to take, should you be involved in an accident. Filing a personal injury claim after your accident is good common sense, so the checklist will help you to document the evidence that strengthens your case.
What are Common Personal Injuries in Tucson?
Tucson is the second biggest city in Arizona. Over half a million people call Tucson home. It represents a significant portion of the personal injuries which happen throughout the state. Common types of personal injuries in Tucson include:
- Road Traffic Accidents – Tucson and Pima County authorities have fought back against traffic accidents over the last three years. Unfortunately they are losing the battle. Last year car accidents fell slightly, but the number of fatal accidents rose. Pedestrians are those most at risk, with cyclists and motorcyclists a close second.
- Trips and Falls – these cause broken bones, strains, sprains, and bruising. They may even lead to death. Brain stem injuries, spinal injuries, and leg and arm injuries are all common as a result.
- Workplace accidents – in Tucson, falling from height or being hit by an object falling from height are fairly common ways to sustain a workplace injury on a building site. Uncleaned spills, blocked aisles, and exposed computer wires are likelier if you work indoors.
- Burns and blistering – Tucson is a desert city which sees an average of just 12cm of rain per year. The fire department has its work cut out for them keeping up with incidents caused by cooking fires and BBQ grills. Burns which were not your fault come under personal injury law.
Arizona Personal Injury Statistics
Arizona DOT data indicate that road crashes and injuries remain a major concern in recent years, with thousands of incidents reported annually. The Arizona Industrial Commission notes tens of thousands of workplace injuries each year. The most commonly injured sector lies in natural resources and mining, responsible for 3.9% of the workforce. Trade, transportation, and Utilities came next at 2.7%.
What to do if you become injured in Arizona?
If you have the misfortune to become the victim of an accident in Arizona, you should call a top-rated personal injury lawyer in Tucson. Hiring a specialist lawyer immediately after your accident gives you the best chance at gathering the correct evidence, filing the correct paperwork, and getting the maximum amount of compensation possible for your claim. For more on the benefits of hiring a lawyer, see 5 Benefits of Hiring a Lawyer for Your Personal Injury Lawsuit. If you want to understand how a lawyer can help you secure compensation, read Compensation and Closure: Why You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer.
The steps you can take to secure your claim begin from the moment you suffer the accident. If you are incapacitated, it is wise to inform your relatives to call a lawyer on your behalf. They can then ensure your rights are protected during your recovery.
The Checklist for Arizona Personal Injuries
If you have been injured in Arizona, you should use this checklist to protect your rights. For additional guidance on avoiding common pitfalls in a personal injury claim, see 5 Common Mistakes That Can Ruin Your Personal Injury Claim.
- Seek medical attention – create a paper trail of your accident.
- Involve the authorities – record a statement with police for the same reason.
- Call your personal injury attorney and explain what has happened.
- Gather evidence at the scene of the accident.
- Take photos, talk to witnesses, or ask your lawyer to help you with this.
- Keep all of your receipts for appointments, medication, and travel.
- Document your recovery with photographs or videos.
- Gather all the relevant documents into one file.
- Give this file to your lawyer, who will present it to the relevant parties.
- A judge will decide who is at fault if the at-fault party refuses to settle out of court.
- After the judgement, there will be a chance for both parties to reach a settlement.
- It is only if this second round fails that you will go to court yourself.
The main points are that you keep your documentation, gather evidence, and document your recovery.
Don’t suffer in silence.
If someone else’s negligence or cruelty caused your pain, don’t suffer in silence. Learn how hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you secure compensation by reading Compensation and Closure: Why You Need to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer.
