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 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.
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 from your personal injury claim. An attorney knows the 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 lawyer won a settlement compared to only 51% who did not. In fact, the amount you receive could be 2-3 times more 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 dealing with an insurance company, don’t go it alone. Call a car accident or personal injury lawyer.
How To Find A 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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
If you find that you have to appeal your personal injury case, know that you do not have to use the same lawyer for both your original case and the appeal. Switching lawyers can provide new perspectives and new methods to win your case.
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.
Following Your Lawyers Advice
The only people you should discuss a personal injury case with are your insurance agent, your spouse, and your attorney. If an insurance adjuster calls you to record a statement about how the accident occurred, give them the number of your attorney and tell them that this is who should be called if they have any additional questions.
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.
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
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