Secondary Medical Complications After Phoenix Accidents: What Injury Victims Need to Know

 

After a serious accident in Phoenix, victims often face medical complications that extend far beyond their initial injuries. These secondary conditions can include chronic pain syndromes, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), infections from surgical procedures, and degenerative joint problems that develop weeks or months after the incident. Blood clots, respiratory issues from prolonged immobilization, and neurological complications frequently emerge during recovery. These secondary complications significantly impact personal injury claims, as they can substantially increase medical costs, extend recovery time, and result in long-term disability. Insurance companies often challenge the connection between these secondary conditions and the original accident, making it crucial for victims to thoroughly document their medical journey and establish clear causation for their personal injury case.

Legal Rights and Considerations

Arizona operates under a pure comparative negligence system (A.R.S. § 12-2505), allowing accident victims to seek compensation even if partially at fault. The state's two-year statute of limitations (A.R.S. § 12-542) applies to personal injury claims, starting from the date the secondary complication is discovered. Arizona law permits recovery for both economic damages (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic damages (pain and suffering, diminished quality of life). Insurance claims must consider the "reasonable and necessary" standard for medical treatment under Arizona law. Multiple insurance policies may apply when secondary complications arise, including health insurance, auto insurance, and disability coverage. An experienced Phoenix personal injury law firm will handle all aspects of the legal claim.

Click the links below to learn how an experienced injury lawyer can help with your type of accident or injury:

 

Related Resources

  • Maricopa County Superior Court Civil Division
  • Arizona Spinal Cord Injury Association
  • Banner Health Trauma Recovery Center
  • Brain Injury Alliance of Arizona
  • Arizona Department of Transportation Rules and Regulations
  • Mayo Clinic Phoenix - Post-Trauma Care Services
  • Arizona State Board of Medical Examiners

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Most recent accident reports

 

In the early morning hours of Wednesday, a complex incident unfolded on Phoenix's Interstate 10 westbound near 67th Avenue, resulting in a serious rollover crash

Date: 
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Roadway: 
Interstate 10

In the early morning hours of Saturday, a serious traffic collision in central Phoenix resulted in multiple injuries and hospitalizations.

Date: 
Saturday, December 28, 2024

 

On Friday evening, a pedestrian lost his life following what police believe was an intentional hit-and-run collision in central Phoenix.

Date: 
Friday, December 27, 2024

A pedestrian fatality occurred at the intersection of 91st Avenue and Thomas Road in west Phoenix during the early morning hours of Thursday.

Date: 
Thursday, December 26, 2024

 

In a severe overnight pedestrian accident in Phoenix, a man sustained life-threatening injuries after being struck by a suspected drunk driver near the intersect

Date: 
Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Fatal Collision on US 60 Near Queen Valley Claims Life of Pregnant Woman, Injures Multiple

Date: 
Monday, December 23, 2024
Roadway: 
US 60
Type: Car Accident

Fatal Multi-Vehicle Collision on 43rd Avenue in Phoenix Claims One Life, Results in Felony Charges

Date: 
Thursday, December 19, 2024
Roadway: 
43rd Avenue
Type: Car Accident

Fatal Crash at 67th and Olive in Glendale Claims One Life, Injures Four Others

Date: 
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Roadway: 
67th and Olive

Fatal Collision with Police Vehicle Claims One Life in Apache Junction, Arizona

A tragic collision between a civilian vehicle and an Apache Junction police officer

Date: 
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Type: Car Accident

In a tragic incident on Monday morning, 63-year-old Bryan Horner of Mesa lost his life in a multiple-vehicle pedestrian accident on Loop 202 Red Mountain Freeway.

Date: 
Monday, December 16, 2024
City: 
Mesa, AZ

 

In a serious incident late Sunday night in Phoenix, a pedestrian was severely injured and a driver hospitalized after a vehicle left the roadway, struck a woman

Date: 
Sunday, December 15, 2024

 

In a tragic early morning crash on Sunday, December 15, 2024, two men lost their lives and two others sustained injuries at a major west Phoenix intersection.

Date: 
Sunday, December 15, 2024
Type: Car Accident

 

A severe collision between a passenger vehicle and a tractor-trailer occurred at approximately 7:00 AM on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at the intersection of 35th

Date: 
Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Roadway: 
35th and Grand

 

A violent altercation at a reception hall in Goodyear, Arizona escalated into a shooting and hit-and-run incident on Saturday, December 7, leaving three people i

Date: 
Saturday, December 7, 2024

Fatal Motorcycle Collision Claims Life in Downtown Chandler Area

A tragic collision between a motorcycle and passenger vehicle claimed the life of a motorcyclist i

Date: 
Saturday, November 23, 2024

A pre-dawn police pursuit in west Phoenix ended dramatically when an allegedly impaired driver crashed an SUV into a residential property near 59th Avenue and McDowell Road on Friday at approximately 2:15 AM

Date: 
Friday, November 22, 2024

Fatal Crash on I-10 Near Warner Road in Phoenix Following Police Incident

A chaotic series of events on Interstate 10 near Warner Road in Phoenix resulted in one f

Date: 
Monday, November 11, 2024
Roadway: 
Interstate 10
Type: Car Accident

Fatal Semi-Truck Collision Claims Life on I-10 at 51st Avenue in Phoenix

A tragic collision between a semi-truck and a passenger vehicle late Monday night resulted

Date: 
Monday, November 11, 2024