Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Phoenix? Choose Carefully
Sustaining a personal injury that keeps you from performing your usual tasks can be very costly and frustrating. It is all the more outrageous if your injuries occurred because someone else was negligent. If that is the case with your injury, you may be able to get the compensation you are owed. Keep reading if you want a better chance of winning your case.
Your First Steps After An Accident
It is important to make your accident report as detailed as possible. Carefully explain all your injuries, regardless of whether it's a broken leg or just a small cut. If you notice more things later, then remember to write them down. Also, consider your mental issues after the accident, such as being too scared to drive again.
If you were injured by an animal, do your best to find out who it belongs to. If you make any mistake about who the owner is, and you file a suit, it may be difficult to sue someone else once it is revealed that this is not the owner.
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 from your injury claim. An experienced attorney knows the monetary damages available for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of your 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. In fact, the amount you receive could be two to three times more 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. Call a car accident or personal injury lawyer.
Finding 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.
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 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?
Hire a lawyer as soon as possible. If you have been injured, try to start the process of locating a lawyer within a week or two at most. If you have been hospitalized, or are otherwise too injured to do the work yourself, enlist the help of a friend or family member. A lawyer is your best bet for a successful personal injury claim outcome.
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.
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 types of cases; therefore, it is important that you have an attorney with experience in these types of negotiations.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Following Your Lawyers Advice
Remember that your lawyer is the expert. Sometimes it can be difficult to follow the directions of others, but when it comes to dealing with your lawyer, you must. If you do not follow his instructions you are only hurting yourself, and possibly putting your entire case in jeopardy, so be sure that you are doing what you are told.
In Conclusions
It is hard to know what to do after a personal injury has occurred; finding a good lawyer is just one of many decisions to make. This is perfectly understandable. Use what you've learned here to make the right decisions going forward, and you stand a very good chance of winning your case.
Good Advice for Family Law and Criminal Defense Representation Too
The recommendations put forth here for selecting a Personal Injury Lawyer also applies for Criminal Defense and Family Law cases
Looking for representation in the Phoenix area? Below is a map of Phoenix-area Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, and Family Law Firms
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Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.