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.
Your First Steps are Critical
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.
Choose your words wisely at the accident scene. Do not create conflict or directly blame the other party at this time. The things that you say right then and there can be used in court. Keep your cool and only answer the questions that must be answered in short sentences.
If you have to purchase any prescriptions or medical equipment as a result of an injury, make sure that you get the receipts and turn them in to your attorney. He will submit them as evidence and it may help you receive a bigger settlement than you had originally anticipated.
The Advantage of Having a Personal Injury Attorney
You may believe you can negotiate with your insurance company without a lawyer. However, hiring an attorney could increase the amount of the settlement you receive for your personal injury claim. An attorney knows the damages that may be obtained for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of your settlement.
An estimated 91% of people who hire a personal injury lawyer get a settlement compared to only 51% who do not. In fact, the amount you receive could be 2-3 times higher with an attorney negotiating the settlement.
If you’re 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.
Finding the Best Lawyer
You may have to hire a personal injury lawyer if you are involved in an accident. If you do, make sure you consult with professional organizations in the area to obtain a list of qualified lawyers. These organizations will also know if there have been any ethical or legal troubles associated with the firm you are considering.
When visiting a lawyer's website, navigate to the About Us section. This page will give you information such as the attorney's specialty, the location of their office, and years in practice. Many lawyers also have a testimonial page. On this page, you will be able to read about different cases from the client's perspective.
Ask your friends and family for personal injury lawyer referrals. There are countless personal injury lawyers in the Phoenix area serving a large population, but that does not mean that they are all good. If you do not already have a lawyer in mind you should seek the help of those that you know and trust.
Look to the Internet for impressions on the lawyers you are considering. Others have hired these lawyers before, and they may have insights into their abilities. Do a Google search, go through local web forums, and even look them up on the State Bar of Arizona website. Anything you find can help you make an educated decision.
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.
Would you get married after your first date? If not, why would you choose the first personal injury lawyer you find in the Yellow Pages? Instead, check out all options in your town and choose the person with the best reputation for winning cases when it comes to personal injury law.
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.
If your case involves an insurance company, ask the lawyer if he has experience dealing with insurance company negotiations. If the attorney does not have ample experience, it is in your best interest to look for a different attorney. Most insurance companies hire a group of lawyers to represent them in these type of cases; therefore, it is important that you have an attorney with experience in these types of negotiations.
At your first meeting with your personal injury lawyer, bring anything that you think is relevant to your case. For example, if the police were involved, bring a copy of their report. If you have spoken with your insurance company, bring any notes that detail what happened with them. All of this information will help your attorney start piecing together your case.
Pick your personal injury lawyer prior to giving recorded or written injury statements to insurance adjusters or those that represent the other party. Anything you say can later be used as part of the evidence in the trial, and you need to discuss the details of what you will say with a lawyer first.
While getting to court quickly is helpful to your case, you may find your lawyer is just too busy. Find a lawyer who is available immediately to ensure the odds are stacked in your favor. Of course, this is just one of many factors you have to consider when hiring a lawyer.
Choosing a local lawyer is your best bet for many reasons, but the most important is that they have to be accountable to you. You will be able to literally go into their office if you need to get their attention. This is impossible over email, Skype, or on the phone.
Never Try To Negotiate On Your Own
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
Sustaining a personal injury can be very costly. If the injury was not your fault it can leave you feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. Hopefully, this article has helped you to feel a little more at ease about what to do in the event that you sustain a personal injury.
Need Help Choosing a Criminal or Family Law Attorney?
The recommendations put forth here for selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer also applies for Criminal Defense and 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.