Who Pays After a Car Accident on Highway 95 in Bullhead City?

Let me ask you something. Have you ever been driving on Highway 95 — maybe heading into town, maybe on your way back from Laughlin — and you watched another car blow through a light or drift into your lane? It happens more than people think out here. And if it has ever happened to you, or to someone you care about, the question you’re probably asking right now is a pretty simple one: who is going to pay for all of this?

That is the question I want to answer for you today. I’m Keith Knochel. My firm, Knochel Law Offices, has been right here in Bullhead City helping families like yours since 1982. That is over 40 years of handling car accident cases, personal injury claims, and insurance battles in Mohave County and across Arizona. We know Highway 95. We know the intersections where crashes keep happening. And we know exactly how Arizona law works when someone needs to pay for what happened to you.

This blog post is going to walk you through what the law says, who owes you money after a crash on Highway 95, and the steps you need to take right now to protect yourself. Stick with us — this might be the most useful thing you read all week.

  📋  KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS ARTICLE

• Arizona is an at-fault state. The driver who caused the crash is responsible for paying damages — not you.
• You can still collect money even if you were partly to blame. Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law (ARS § 12-2505) protects you.
• You only have 2 years to file a lawsuit. If a government vehicle was involved, the deadline can be as short as 180 days.
• About 1 in 9 Arizona drivers has no insurance. Uninsured motorist coverage could be the best protection you’re not carrying.
• Mohave County averaged nearly 10 accidents every single day in 2023. Highway 95 is one of the most crash-prone corridors in the region.
• Arizona does NOT cap personal injury damages. Arizona’s Constitution (Article 2, Section 31) protects your right to full recovery.
• Our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices are here. Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City — three offices, 40+ years of experience.

How Dangerous Is Highway 95 in Bullhead City — and Why Should You Care?

Here is a number that might surprise you. According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, Mohave County averaged nearly 10 car accidents every single day in 2023. (Source: ADOT 2023 Crash Facts Summary.) That is not 10 accidents a year. That is 10 accidents per day — roughly 3,400 crashes in a single county over the course of twelve months. Think about that the next time you are waiting at the light near Retail Way or heading north toward Fort Mohave.

Statewide, Arizona reported 122,247 traffic accidents in 2023 alone. In 2024, that number was 121,107 crashes — with more than 1,100 fatal and serious injury crashes recorded. Arizona consistently ranks among the most dangerous states for drivers in the country, placing 42nd out of 50 states for deadly crash rates. That means only nine other states have more deadly crashes per year on average than Arizona does. (Source: ADOT Motor Vehicle Crash Facts; ADOT 2024 Crash Facts Summary.)

On Highway 95 specifically, crashes have occurred at well-known local spots like Central Avenue, Meadows Drive, Corwin Road, and Retail Way — places you probably drive through several times a week. Since 2020, at least 16 people have died in accidents on the stretch of State Route 95 between SARA Park and Parker. (Source: Havasu News, October 2024.) That is not a statistic from some faraway city. That is our road. That is our community.

Why does this road see so many crashes? A few things stand out. Heavy tourist traffic from Laughlin and Needles creates congestion at key intersections. Desert heat affects pavement and braking distance. Speeding is common on longer open stretches. And distracted driving — phones, GPS, infotainment systems — plays a role in crashes all over America. Here in Bullhead City, the mix of local commuters, Laughlin casino visitors, and commercial vehicles on Highway 95 creates a recipe for trouble.

The good news? Arizona law gives crash victims strong tools to fight back. Let’s talk about how those tools work.

Is Arizona a No-Fault State — Or Does the At-Fault Driver Pay After a Highway 95 Crash?

This is one of the questions our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices hear most often. And the answer is clear: Arizona is NOT a no-fault state.

In a no-fault state, every driver uses their own insurance to cover their own injuries — no matter who caused the crash. Arizona does not work that way. Arizona is what the law calls an “at-fault” or “tort” state. That means the driver who caused the accident — and their insurance company — is responsible for paying for your medical bills, your lost wages, your vehicle damage, and your pain and suffering.

This is actually good news for injured drivers. You have the right to go directly after the person who hurt you. You do not have to quietly absorb the costs of someone else’s bad decision behind the wheel.

Here is how it works in plain, everyday English:

1. The other driver ran a red light on Highway 95 and slammed into your car.
2. You go to the emergency room. You miss two weeks of work. Your car needs major repairs.
3. Because Arizona is an at-fault state, their insurance company must pay your bills — not yours.
4. If their insurance does not cover everything, you can file a personal injury lawsuit to recover the rest.
5. Our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices help you build that case from day one.

The legal foundation for this is Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-2505, which governs comparative fault across the state. Under this law, fault is assigned by percentage — and whoever is responsible for the crash pays their share of the damages. (Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, via the Arizona Judicial Branch.)

What Is Arizona’s Pure Comparative Negligence Law — And Why Does It Protect You After a Highway 95 Accident?

Here is something that genuinely surprises a lot of people who come to our office: in Arizona, you can still collect money after a crash even if you were partly at fault. This is called pure comparative negligence, and it is one of the strongest legal protections for injured drivers anywhere in the country.

Some states operate under a rule that says: if you were even 1% responsible for the crash, you get nothing. Arizona says absolutely not. Under Arizona’s law, even if a jury finds you were 40% responsible for the accident, you can still collect 60% of your total damages. Even if you were found 80% at fault, you can still recover 20% of what you lost.

Here is a real-world example:

Say you were driving on Highway 95 and you were going 5 miles over the speed limit. Another driver blew through a stop sign and hit your car on the driver’s side. A court might say: you were 10% at fault for speeding; the other driver was 90% at fault for running the stop sign. If your total damages are $100,000, you would receive $90,000 — not zero.

That is one of the best possible systems for crash victims. And it is the actual law here in Arizona. (Source: ARS § 12-2505; Arizona Judicial Branch.)

Insurance companies know this law inside and out. And here is the part they never volunteer to tell you: they will work hard to increase your percentage of fault in order to reduce what they have to pay you. They may claim you were texting. They may argue you were speeding. They may suggest you failed to brake in time. This is exactly why having our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices in your corner makes such a real difference. We push back on those tactics with evidence. We have been doing it since 1982.

What Are Arizona’s Minimum Car Insurance Requirements — And Are They Actually Enough for a Highway 95 Crash?

Arizona law requires every driver to carry a minimum amount of car insurance. The state minimum is called 25/50/15 coverage:

• $25,000 per person for bodily injury
• $50,000 per accident total for all bodily injuries
• $15,000 for property damage

On the surface that sounds reasonable. But here is the reality check. The average cost of a hospital stay in the United States is approximately $11,700 per day, according to data from the American Hospital Association. A three-day hospital stay after a serious highway crash comes out to more than $35,000 — and that is before you count the ambulance, specialist visits, physical therapy, medications, or lost wages. The $25,000 minimum runs out fast.

This is why our attorneys consistently tell clients: the state minimum is a legal floor, not a real safety net. If the at-fault driver’s minimum coverage is not enough to cover your injuries, you may have additional options — including through your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, and potentially through a personal injury lawsuit that goes beyond insurance policy limits.

A lot of people do not know this, but Arizona’s Constitution actually prohibits courts from capping how much money you can recover in a personal injury accident. (Source: Arizona Constitution, Article 2, Section 31.) That means no matter how serious your injuries, there is no artificial ceiling on what you are entitled to recover if we prove your case. That is a powerful protection — and it is the law right here in our state.

What Happens on Highway 95 When the Driver Who Hit You Has No Insurance?

This is one of the most difficult situations our clients face — and it happens more than most people realize. An estimated 11 to 12 percent of Arizona drivers are uninsured, according to data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. That means roughly 1 out of every 9 drivers on Arizona roads right now is carrying absolutely zero insurance. (Source: NAIC Uninsured Motorists Report; Arizona Department of Insurance.)

If one of those drivers hits you on Highway 95, you cannot file a claim with their insurance company because there is no insurance company. So what do you do?

• Uninsured Motorist (UM) Coverage: If you purchased this coverage on your own policy, it steps in and pays your medical bills and vehicle damage when the at-fault driver has no insurance. Arizona does NOT legally require you to carry UM coverage, but our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices believe it is one of the best investments any Arizona driver can make. Coverage typically adds only $8 to $18 per month to your policy. (Source: NAIC; Arizona Department of Insurance.)
• Underinsured Motorist (UIM) Coverage: If the at-fault driver has insurance, but not enough to cover the full extent of your injuries, this coverage fills the gap between what they owe and what their policy actually pays.
• Personal Injury Lawsuit: You can sue the uninsured driver personally. If they have assets — a home, a car, a bank account, or a regular paycheck — a court judgment can be used to collect money from them over time.
• Medical Payments (MedPay) Coverage: Some Arizona drivers carry this optional add-on. It covers your medical bills regardless of who was at fault. It can be critically important when the other driver disappears or has no coverage.

One more thing people do not talk about enough: hit-and-run accidents are a real problem on Highway 95. If the driver who hits you flees the scene and is never identified, uninsured motorist coverage is often your only financial lifeline. This is not a hypothetical. Our attorneys have seen it happen to clients in this community.

For more information on how our team handles personal injury cases, including crashes involving uninsured drivers, visit us at Knochel Law Offices — Personal Injury.

What Are the Best Steps to Take After a Car Accident on Highway 95 in Bullhead City?

Time matters more than most people realize after a car crash. Evidence disappears. Witnesses scatter. Insurance companies begin building their defense the moment they receive a claim. Here is what our attorneys want every client in the Bullhead City area to do if they are ever involved in a crash:

Step 1: Make Sure Everyone Is Safe.

Move your vehicle off the road if you can do so without risk. Check on your passengers. Call 911 immediately. Do not leave the scene of the accident.

Step 2: Get a Police Report.

A police report is one of the most valuable pieces of evidence in your case. In Arizona, you are required to report any crash involving injury, death, or property damage over $1,000. The Bullhead City Police Department will document the scene, take statements from all parties, and often assign preliminary fault in their report.

Step 3: Document Everything at the Scene.

Take photos and video of every vehicle involved, the road conditions, skid marks, traffic signs, and your visible injuries. Get the other driver’s name, phone number, license plate number, and insurance card. Collect names and contact information from any witnesses. In 2024, statewide crash data showed that multi-vehicle crashes were involved in more than 94,500 of Arizona’s accidents — and witness testimony often becomes the deciding factor in disputed cases. (Source: ADOT 2024 Crash Facts.)

Step 4: Seek Medical Care Right Away.

Even if you feel okay, go to the doctor. Injuries like whiplash, concussion, spinal trauma, and internal bleeding frequently do not show symptoms right away — sometimes for days. Gaps in medical treatment are one of the top tools insurance adjusters use to question whether your injuries were real or serious. Western Arizona Regional Medical Center in Bullhead City is your best nearby option for immediate emergency care.

Step 5: Do Not Give a Recorded Statement to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company.

This is the step that trips up the most people. The other driver’s insurance company is not calling you to help you. They are calling to get information they can use to reduce what they pay you. You are not legally required to give them a recorded statement. If they call, you can simply say: “I have retained an attorney. Please contact them directly.” Then call us.

Step 6: Call Knochel Law Offices.

Our attorneys have been handling car accident cases in Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City since 1982. We know what evidence to preserve, how to negotiate with insurance companies, and how to maximize your recovery — whether through a settlement or in a courtroom. Reach us at lawyersinarizona.com or call 928-444-1000.

How Long Do You Have to File a Car Accident Claim in Arizona — What Is the Real Deadline?

Yes, there is a hard deadline — and it is strict. Under Arizona law, you have two years from the date of your car accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This is called the statute of limitations. (Source: Arizona Revised Statutes; FindLaw — Arizona Car Accident Compensation Laws.)

Two years sounds like plenty of time. But here is what actually happens: people try to handle claims on their own. Insurance companies string along the process with delays and low offers. Months slide by. Before you realize it, you are at 18 months with nothing resolved, and you only have six months left to hire an attorney, gather evidence, build a case, and file in court.

Here is something almost nobody talks about: the statute of limitations can be even shorter in specific situations. If a government vehicle was involved in your crash — a city bus, a county maintenance truck, a police vehicle — you may have only 180 days to file a formal notice of claim against that government entity. Missing that window almost always means losing your right to sue entirely, regardless of how strong your case is.

Here is another overlooked data point: single-vehicle crashes — where a driver hits a road defect, a pothole, or improperly maintained signage — accounted for 18,057 crashes across Arizona in 2024. (Source: ADOT 2024 Crash Facts.) If your crash was caused by a dangerous road condition on Highway 95, a government entity could be responsible. That 180-day clock starts ticking immediately.

This is why our team at Knochel Law Offices always says the same thing: do not wait. Call us as soon as possible after your crash. The earlier we get involved, the better we can protect your rights and preserve your evidence.

What If the Accident Happened Near the Arizona-Nevada Border — Which State’s Law Controls Your Claim?

This is a question that comes up all the time in Bullhead City, because we sit right on the Colorado River — and Laughlin, Nevada is just across the Donald J. Laughlin Memorial Bridge. If you get in a crash near the border, or if you were coming from the casino district when the accident happened, a very reasonable question is: whose laws cover me?

The general answer is straightforward: the law of the state where the accident actually occurred is the law that applies. If the crash happened on Arizona soil — on Highway 95 or anywhere in Bullhead City or Mohave County — then Arizona law governs your injury claim, even if the other driver lives in Nevada or California.

Here is where Knochel Law Offices has a real advantage that most local firms simply do not have: we are licensed to practice law in Arizona, Nevada, AND California. So whether your crash straddles a jurisdictional question, or whether you are a visitor from Laughlin who got hurt on Highway 95, our attorneys can handle your case on either side of the river. That is not something you find everywhere near me in the Tri-State Area.

Learn more about our attorneys and their multi-state experience at Knochel Law Offices — Our Attorneys.

What Kind of Money Can You Actually Collect After a Highway 95 Car Accident in Arizona?

One of the best parts of Arizona law for crash victims is that there is no legal cap on personal injury damages. Arizona’s own Constitution, Article 2 Section 31, explicitly prohibits the courts from placing a cap on accident recovery. You will not run into an arbitrary ceiling that stops you from getting what you are truly owed. (Source: FindLaw — Arizona Car Accident Compensation Laws.)

So what exactly can our attorneys help you recover? Here is what we pursue on behalf of car accident clients in Bullhead City and across Mohave County:

• Medical Expenses: All past and future medical bills — emergency room visits, surgeries, specialist care, physical therapy, prescription medications, medical equipment, and long-term home health care.
• Lost Wages: The income you lost while you were recovering. If your injuries affect your ability to work long-term, we also pursue compensation for your future lost earning capacity.
• Property Damage: The full cost to repair or replace your vehicle, as well as any personal property damaged in the crash.
• Pain and Suffering: Chronic pain, anxiety, sleep disturbances, and emotional trauma caused by the crash are all compensable damages in Arizona. This is often where the biggest dollar values come from.
• Loss of Consortium: If the crash significantly impacted your marriage or family relationships, your spouse may have a separate claim as well.
• Punitive Damages: In cases involving extreme or reckless behavior — like a drunk driver, street racing, or a commercial driver who falsified their safety logs — courts can award punitive damages on top of your other compensation.

Every single case is different. Our attorneys never give you a cookie-cutter answer. We sit down with you, look at your specific injuries, your out-of-pocket costs, your income, and your future medical needs, and we give you a clear picture of what your case is actually worth. That is what 40-plus years of doing this in Bullhead City looks like.

Explore all of our practice areas, including Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Family Law, and more at Knochel Law Offices — Practice Areas.

Why Are Knochel Law Offices the Right Choice for Your Bullhead City Car Accident Case?

I want to be straightforward with you. There are other attorneys you could call. But here is why families in Bullhead City, Kingman, and Lake Havasu City have been trusting Knochel Law Offices since 1982:

• We know the local courts. Our attorneys have spent decades in Mohave County courtrooms. We know the process, the procedures, and what it takes to build a winning case in this jurisdiction.
• We are licensed in three states. Arizona, Nevada, and California. In the Tri-State Area, that multi-state licensing is a genuine competitive edge — not just a talking point.
• We handle the full picture of your life. A car accident does not happen in a vacuum. It affects your work, your family, your finances. Our firm handles Personal Injury Law, Criminal Defense, Divorce and Family Law, Business and Commercial Law, Elder Law, Real Estate Law, and Wills, Estates and Probate. When life gets complicated, you don’t have to go to five different offices.
• We are genuinely near me — wherever you are in the Tri-State Area. Main office in Bullhead City. Satellite offices in Kingman and Lake Havasu City. Three locations so our team is always within reach when you need us most.
• We communicate in plain English. No jargon. No runaround. We tell you what is happening, what your options are, and what to expect — at every step of the process.

If you were hurt on Highway 95 or anywhere in the Bullhead City area, you deserve an attorney who knows this community, knows Arizona law, and has the real experience to fight for every dollar you are owed.

Contact us today at lawyersinarizona.com/contact or call 928-444-1000. Our main office is at 1967 Highway 95, Bullhead City, AZ 86442. We are right here on the road where most of these crashes happen.

Helpful External Resources for Arizona Car Accident Victims

These official government and public resources can help you understand your rights, check crash data, and navigate the claims process:

• Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) — Crash Data: azdot.gov/planning/transportation-analysis/crash-data-and-reports — Official annual Crash Facts reports for Arizona.

• Arizona Revised Statutes — Comparative Fault Law: ARS § 12-2505 via Arizona Legislature — The actual statute governing how fault is divided after an Arizona crash.

• Arizona Department of Insurance & Financial Institutions: difi.az.gov — Consumer Automotive Resources — File insurance complaints and learn your rights as a policyholder.

• Arizona Judicial Branch — Filing a Civil Claim: azcourts.gov — Find court locations, civil filing information, and lawsuit deadlines.

• National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) — Uninsured Motorist Data: naic.org — National data on uninsured driver rates by state.

8 Questions Bullhead City and Arizona Residents Ask About Car Accident Claims

Q1: How do I know who was at fault in my car accident on Highway 95?

Fault in Arizona is determined by reviewing police reports, witness statements, traffic camera footage, crash scene photos, and — in complex cases — expert accident reconstruction analysis. The Bullhead City Police Department report is usually the starting point. Our attorneys at Knochel Law Offices gather every available piece of evidence and build a detailed account of what happened and who bears responsibility.

Q2: What if the insurance company says I was partly to blame for the crash — can I still get paid?

Absolutely. Arizona follows pure comparative negligence under ARS § 12-2505. Even if you were 30% at fault, you can still recover 70% of your total damages. Insurance companies routinely try to inflate a victim’s fault percentage to reduce their own payout. That is precisely the kind of tactic our attorneys have been fighting back against since 1982. We are not going to let them shortchange you.

Q3: What is the deadline to file a car accident lawsuit in Arizona?

The personal injury statute of limitations in Arizona is two years from the date of the accident. However, if a government vehicle or road defect was involved, you may have as little as 180 days to file a formal notice of claim. Missing these deadlines almost always means forfeiting your right to any recovery. Call Knochel Law Offices as soon as possible so we can make sure your case stays within the window.

Q4: The driver who hit me had no car insurance. What are my options in Arizona?

You have several avenues. If you carry uninsured motorist (UM) coverage on your own policy, it will pay your bills when the at-fault driver is uninsured. You can also file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault driver directly and collect from their wages or assets over time. With approximately 11-12% of Arizona drivers uninsured according to NAIC data, this situation is more common than people realize. Our attorneys have handled dozens of these cases in the Mohave County area and know exactly how to pursue every available option.

Q5: How much is my car accident case worth in Arizona?

There is no honest one-size-fits-all answer. Your case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your total medical costs, how long you were out of work, your long-term medical needs, and the amount of available insurance coverage. What we can tell you is that Arizona law places no cap on personal injury damages — meaning no artificial ceiling limits what you can recover if your case is proven. Our attorneys evaluate every aspect of your situation and give you a realistic and thorough assessment.

Q6: Should I give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company?

No. You are not legally required to give a recorded statement to the opposing insurance company. Insurance adjusters are specifically trained to ask questions that can be used against you later. The safest thing to say is: “I have retained an attorney at Knochel Law Offices. Please direct all future communications to them.” Then call us immediately at 928-444-1000.

Q7: What if I was hurt in Laughlin, Nevada but I live in Bullhead City — which state’s laws apply?

The law of the state where the accident happened generally governs the claim. So if your crash happened on Nevada soil in Laughlin, Nevada law applies. The great news is that Knochel Law Offices is licensed in Nevada as well as Arizona and California. Our attorneys can handle your claim on either side of the Colorado River — one of the few firms in the Tri-State Area with that capability. You do not need to hire a separate Nevada attorney.

Q8: Can I still file a claim if I did not go to the doctor right away after my crash on Highway 95?

Yes — but be aware that gaps in medical treatment give insurance companies one of their favorite arguments for reducing or denying a claim. They will suggest your injuries were minor or were caused by something other than the crash. Our attorneys can still build a strong case for you, but the sooner you get medical documentation, the stronger your claim will be. Many serious injuries — including traumatic brain injuries, internal bleeding, and spinal damage — do not cause obvious symptoms immediately. When in doubt, go to the doctor.

Ready to Talk to a Knochel Law Offices Attorney About Your Case?

Knochel Law Offices — Bullhead City | Kingman | Lake Havasu City

📞  928-444-1000