Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Phoenix? Choose Carefully
What steps do you have to take when you would like to file a lawsuit against the person who caused your injury? Just thinking about this question can overwhelm and frighten you. Do not despair, since this piece is designed to provide you with tips for paving the way to a victory.
What To Do First
Make sure that you gather all of the information you can from anyone that was involved in your injury. This means that you should get the addresses, names, and phone numbers of the party that injured you as well as any witnesses that were on the scene. You should also take note of anything that is said during the time of the accident.
You should not apologize to the other party after an accident. This implies that you are at fault, and they could use it against you. Do not apologize, as you should let your lawyer do all of the talking.
Even if you are in an accident and you do not feel like you are injured, go see a doctor. There are many times that injuries come up later as a result of an accident. Seeing a doctor will show that you had some concerns about your condition early on.
Don’t Negotiate With Insurance Companies Without an Attorney
You might think that you do not need a personal injury lawyer and can get a settlement on your own. However, hiring an lawyer could increase the amount of money you receive for your personal injury claim. An attorney understands the damages that may be obtained for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of the settlement.
In a recent article, it was estimated that 91% of people represented by a personal injury lawyer won a settlement compared to only 51% who did not. In addition, the amount received could be two to three times higher with a lawyer negotiating the settlement.
If you are injured due to someone else’s actions in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re your insurance company is resisting a settlement, don’t go it alone. Contact a car accident or personal injury lawyer.
Where to Find An Attorney
Take the time to talk to others that you know who've been in the same situation. They may be able to help you find a great lawyer who will handle your case with care. You need the best attorney to fit your situation.
You can also contact the State Bar of Arizona for referrals and relevant recommendations. Of course, you still need to spend time researching any referral that you receive. Check the recommendation's background and qualifications prior to contacting them. This is a great way to find reputable attorneys.
Ask friends, family, and co-workers for referrals for a lawyer. They often know someone who has been embroiled in a personal injury case before and will be able to show you the way to a lawyer who was successful in the case. You can trust their opinion over reviews found online.
When you take a personal injury case to a big law firm, you may meet the head honcho to talk, but your case will be passed down to junior associates. They tend not to have many cases under their belt, and this can lead to a loss. Look for a small firm instead.
You Have A List Of Lawyers, How Do You Choose?
Your lawyer is representing you in court, so you must choose the best option for your case. That means you need someone with who you can build a great rapport to ensure they like you enough to truly care about your case. Select a lawyer you feel is on your side.
Do not hire personal injury attorneys that you've only seen on the television. This only leads to disaster. If you're considering a television lawyer, make sure you vet them properly. Otherwise, you may end up in a real mess.
After you have gathered together a list of potential personal injury attorneys, set up a free consultation with each lawyer. At this consultation, the attorney will look over the facts of your case and answer any questions you may have. After each consultation, write down notes about the interview and how the lawyer treated you.
Always meet in person with your potential personal injury attorney. It is important that your attorney truly represents you and it is best to know before committing that you have a winning case. An attorney will rarely charge you for these meetings and it is important that your case is a strong one.
Make sure that you hire an attorney that specializes in personal injury law. There are lawyers out there who practice several types of law. It is in your best interest to find one who only practices this type of law. It will increase your chances of success since your attorney will know exactly what he is doing.
Talk to your lawyer about their history. It is important that you find out their track record on cases similar to yours. This is useful information as it will allow you to hire an attorney that will give you the best chance of winning your case and getting compensated.
Never hire a divorce lawyer to oversee your personal injury case. This may seem like common sense, but many people feel that the lawyer they've already dealt with is great, so why not get them to help? Instead, ask them for a referral for someone who specializes in this type of law.
Set up communication ground rules with your personal injury lawyer. Lawyers are oftentimes working many cases, and yours can get lost in the shuffle. In your initial consultation, tell your lawyer how often you want to communicate. Work something out before your relationship begins full steam.
Preexisting conditions do not necessarily rule out your ability to win a damage award. Be truthful with your lawyer about any injuries you suffered before the accident. Do not ask for a settlement that exceeds the impact of the personal injuries the other party can be held responsible for.
If the lawyer you are talking to normally works with insurance companies, you probably want to pass on their services. Instead, you want someone who has experience helping the injured person. These personal injury attorneys should have the background that you need to successfully win your case, and you will probably feel more comfortable with them as a result.
Let Your Attorney Do The Talking
Never try to negotiate with an at-fault party or their insurance company without having an attorney present. They may try to take advantage of your lack of legal knowledge to make you an unfair offer. Even if you feel like you are confident and can represent yourself, call a lawyer and have them present at the time.
Final Words
Now it shouldn't be hard to predict what the future holds for you. This type of situation is never easy to deal with; however, you should be much more equipped to handle it. Figure out what you should do from here.
What About Criminal Defense, DUI, or Family Law Representation?
In this article, we discussed personal injury. However, the same rules can apply to choosing a lawyer or attorney for criminal defense, DUI, or family law cases.
In The Phoenix area you'll find many experienced law firms regardless of the practice area. In fact, 80% of attorneys licensed in Arizona practice in the Phoenix area.
Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.