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Phoenix DUI Accident Lawyers

Phoenix and the surrounding areas have many DUI cases. Have you been hit by a drunk driver? If so, call The Advocates today for a free consultation.

A DUI Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case 

Phoenix has a problem with drunk driving accidents. Arizona DUI arrests have been dropping, but fatalities have risen, according to data from 2023.  

If you are reading this, you are probably a victim of a motor vehicle accident involving alcohol. If so, we are sorry you are going through this.  

Our law office has a proven track record of achieving fair compensation for our clients. Testimonials from past clients are a source of pride for us. To us, providing legal representation for people with personal injury claims is the purpose of our firm.  

A Phoenix personal injury attorney with The Advocates can provide a DUI defense by protecting you from insurance companies and putting liens on your medical bills. We are here for everyone in Phoenix, Tempe, Peoria, Gilbert, and the rest of Arizona.  Contact us today for a free consultation! 

The Next Steps in Your Arizona DUI Accident Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Property Damage

Get the damage on your vehicle assessed and fixed

Treatment

Seek medical treatment as soon as you can

Finish Treatment

Once you’ve completed treatment, your attorney will compile your medical records

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

You will pay nothing out-of-pocket when you hire an Advocate. 

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees. 

Our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. We don’t get paid unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement. 

For more information on how settlements and payment work, please see our contingency fee information page. 

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. 

Your attorney will gather evidence, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own. 

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability. 

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more. 

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action. 

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin. 

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator. 

A Team of DUI Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case  

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you.  

We can help you: 

  • Understand the claims process 
  • Investigate your accident 
  • Work together with you towards a full resolution of your injuries 
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters 
  • Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party 

Talking to a Professional

Talk to a professional

Arizona: Where DUIs Have Severe Consequences

Police cruiser lights flicker at a DUI checkpoint

An Arizona DUI is costly 

The state of Arizona has the strictest punishments for first-time drunk drivers. This is good because the best DUI case is the one that does not happen, and Arizona’s laws encourage people to not drink and drive.  

If someone does drink and drive, here are the punishments they will face:  

  • First offense: You will be jailed for not less than 10 consecutive days and fined not less than $1,250. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device. You will also be ordered to perform community service.  
  • Second and subsequent offenses: You will be jailed for not less than 90 days and fined not less than $3,000, and your license will be revoked for 12 months. You will also be required to undergo alcohol screening/education/treatment and to equip any vehicle you operate with a certified ignition interlock device. You will also be ordered to perform community service.  

People with a blood alcohol content higher than .15 will be charged with an Extreme DUI, which carries stricter punishments. Some people may claim Arizona has too high of a punishment for drinking and driving. But our injury law firm has seen the terrible fallout of drunk driving accidents. The fewer people that get behind the wheel when drunk, the better. 

Your motor vehicle is totaled. What should you do? 

Your vehicle is considered a total loss if the costs of repairs exceed 80% of its value before the accident. Each insurance company has its own guidelines for determining if a vehicle is a total loss.   

In DUI defense, the claimant (you) must establish that someone else was at fault for the accident. Usually, drunk drivers are entirely at fault, so their insurance will have to cover the cost of your property damage.  

Determining how much you will receive for your totaled vehicle can get complicated if the insurance company offers you less than what your vehicle is worth. Experienced Phoenix accident attorneys will handle both your personal injury claim and get you proper compensation for your wrecked vehicle. 

Totaled car in a ditch after a bad accident
Woman calling insurance support after car crash

Common DUI accident injuries    

The intersection of car accidents and alcohol produces serious injuries. 

Here are the most common DUI crash injuries inflicted on auto accident victims:  

  • Bruising and lacerations   
  • Muscle strains   
  • Whiplash   
  • Broken teeth   
  • Dislocated joints   
  • Disfigurement  
  • Broken bones   
  • Internal damage   
  • Spinal cord injuries   
  • Head injuries and traumatic brain injuries   
  • Emotional distress 
  • Wrongful death of a family member

The damages you can sue for 

Criminal charges are for punishing a drunk driver with DUI charges. In this type of case, they will get their driver’s license revoked or serve jail time.  

If you are the victim of a DUI accident, you will probably need compensation for the damages you’ve suffered. In that case, you can pursue civil charges with a personal injury defense attorney.  

The following are commonly sought damages in a personal injury case:     

  • Medical bills  
  • Pain and suffering   
  • Lost income and loss of future earnings    
  • Non-economic damages such as emotional trauma    
  • Funeral expenses for a loved one   
Medical bill from the hospital, concept of rising medical cost.

Understanding Personal Injury Laws in Arizona

Statute of limitations (SOL) on a court desk.

Statute of limitations for DUI accidents   

If you are injured in a DUI accident, you generally have two years from the accident date to file a claim. That is a long time, but it is recommended that you move quickly with your claim.   

For property damage, you also have two years to file a claim.   

The steps to take after a DUI accident in Arizona   

The first few hours and days after an accident are critical for your recovery and your insurance claim’s success.     

Follow these steps to ensure you do what is necessary after an accident:   

  • Ensure immediate safety   
  • Call the emergency services and get a police report  
  • Seek medical care 
  • Do not engage with the drunk driver; they are not in a state of mind to properly engage in an exchange of information 
  • Gather evidence at the accident scene  
  • Do not with insurance adjusters for the other party 
  • Notify your insurance company   
  • Consult an experienced Phoenix personal injury lawyer   
  • Document everything, such as your medical records 
Policeman writing up report on incident where their was a person injured
Close up focus on courtroom microphone with attorney in the background.

How fault is determined  

Arizona uses a pure negligence system. Each party is assigned a percentage of fault. Plaintiffs can still recover damages even if they are mostly responsible for the accident. For example, if a plaintiff is awarded $100,000 in damages but found to be 60% at fault, they would only receive 40% of what they were awarded, or $40,000. 

Drunk drivers are presumed negligent per se, meaning they are automatically negligent because they broke the law before the accident. You may still be assigned a percentage of fault for the accident. 

When Should I Hire a Phoenix DUI Accident Attorney?

The Advocates want the best possible outcome for you, which is why we recommend that you contact us for legal services as soon as you can.  

One of our practice areas is getting you fair compensation for a DUI accident, but we cannot begin until you contact us. We know how scary that first step can be.

Accidents and all the uncertainty they bring can be terrifying. When you are ready, call us for a free case evaluation.  

We service Phoenix, Tucson, and the rest of Arizona. If you have a DUI case, you deserve a compassionate, expert attorney. You deserve an Advocate. 

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