Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Phoenix? Choose Carefully
When you are hurt because someone has been careless, it might be smart to consider a lawsuit. Often, victims don't think of finding a personal injury attorney because they are unaware of the process involved in hiring an attorney and mounting a case. This article serves as a basic primer for all things related to personal injury lawsuits.
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.
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.
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.
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 attorney could increase the amount of the settlement you receive for your personal injury claim. An attorney knows the monetary damages available for an injury claim and they know how to maximize the value of the settlement.
An estimated 91% of people who hire a personal injury attorney won a settlement compared to only 51% who do not. In fact, the amount received could be two to three times more with an attorney negotiating the settlement.
If you are injured due to someone else’s actions in Phoenix or the surrounding communities, and you’re dealing with an insurance company, don’t go it alone. Call 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.
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?
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.
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.
It is important to hire a personal injury lawyer for a personal injury case. When they've done it before, know the ins and outs of the law and understand the secrets to win, they'll be able to get you the cash you deserve for your misfortune, which is really the outcome you deserve.
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.
Summary
You have learned now about the procedure for getting help with your claims. You should use these tips to build a solid case for your personal injury. Use one tip or use them all; it's up to you. If you follow this advice, it will prove beneficial in winning your case and getting the funding you need.
Need Help Choosing a Criminal or Family Law Attorney?
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.
Looking for representation in the Phoenix area? Below is a map of Phoenix-area Personal Injury, Criminal Defense, and Family Law Firms
Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.