Hiring an attorney after a serious accident shouldn't require money you don't have. Contingency fee billing means the attorney only collects a fee if they recover compensation for you — through settlement or verdict. If there's no recovery, you owe no fee. In Arizona, contingency fee agreements must be in writing under Arizona Rules of Professional Conduct Rule 1.5, with the percentage and cost structure clearly explained before anything is signed.
Why this matters in practice
Insurance adjusters are trained negotiators working for their employer's bottom line. Without representation, injured people often accept the first offer before they understand the full extent of their injuries — and they typically can't go back for more once they've signed a release. A contingency fee arrangement means you can have an attorney pushing back on those first offers from day one, at no upfront cost.
Arizona's fault system
Arizona is an at-fault state — the driver who caused the crash is responsible for your damages. Arizona also follows a pure comparative negligence rule (A.R.S. § 12-2505), so your compensation can be reduced by your share of fault, but you can still recover even if you were partially responsible. Insurers use this rule aggressively: arguing you were speeding, distracted, or failed to take evasive action. Countering those arguments effectively requires evidence and experience with how local insurers operate. See our post on Arizona comparative negligence law.
What an Arizona car accident claim can recover
Medical expenses past and future (emergency care, surgery, physical therapy, prescriptions), lost wages and reduced earning capacity, property damage, pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, and loss of consortium are all available under Arizona law. The two-year statute of limitations (A.R.S. § 12-542) applies — miss that deadline and your right to sue is almost certainly gone. See our post on the Arizona statute of limitations for personal injury for exceptions.
How it works
We review your case in a free consultation and give you an honest assessment. If we move forward, you receive a written contingency agreement — no retainer, no hourly billing. We gather police reports, medical records, witness statements, and available camera footage, handle all communications with the insurer, and negotiate for a fair settlement. If the insurer won't offer fair value, we take the case to court. Our fee comes out of the recovery — you don't write us a check.
Our car accident attorneys serve the Phoenix metro and surrounding communities including Anthem, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, and Tempe. No fee unless we win. Call (480) 418-SHER (7437) or reach out online.