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 After An Accident
If you are injured because of an auto accident or due to the negligence of another, always go to your doctor as soon as possible to determine the specific extent of the injury. The doctor will provide you with documentation that may later play an important part in supporting a lawsuit to obtain compensation.
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.
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.
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 money you receive for your personal injury claim. An experienced attorney knows the monetary damages available 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 attorney get a settlement compared to only 51% who do not. Futhermore, the amount you receive could be two to three times more with a lawyer negotiating the settlement.
If you were injured due to negligence on the part of someone else in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re dealing with an insurance company, don’t go it alone. Contact a car accident or personal injury lawyer.
Finding the Best Lawyer
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.
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.
When choosing a personal injury attorney, ensure that you are choosing a law office that has an entire department dedicated to personal injury. Meanwhile, it is common for law offices to pursue several different types of cases, it is important to choose an attorney who's well versed in your niche.
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.
Take the time to select a reliable lawyer if you receive an injury. Look for someone who has experience with similar cases and ask about prices before you decide to hire a lawyer. Meet with different lawyers in your area and choose one who makes you feel comfortable and knows how to listen.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Last 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.
Good Advice for Family Law and Criminal Defense Representation Too
Although this article addressed personal injury cases, the same recommendations apply to finding and choosing a criminal defense, DUI, Divorce, or Child Custody Attorney.
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.