Need a Personal Injury Attorney in Phoenix? Choose Carefully
Suffered an injury because of the negligence of another person? Are you considering suing? Of course, no case will have a chance in court if you don't have the information on your side. This article offers some helpful tips. Continue to read and learn more about a personal injury lawsuit.
Your First Steps are Critical
Contact the authorities asap if you've suffered a personal injury. If you are injured at work tell your supervisor right away. In the case of an injury caused by an automobile accident, make sure that you report the incident to the appropriate authorities as soon as you are able to. Also, make sure that you or a witness contact an ambulance right away so that you can receive any necessary medical attention that is required.
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.
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.
Don’t Negotiate With Insurance Companies Without a Lawyer
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 injury claim. An experienced attorney knows the damages that may be obtained 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 get a settlement compared to just 51% who do not. In fact, the amount received could be 2-3 times higher with an attorney negotiating the settlement.
If you’re 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.
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.
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 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.
Finding A Good Fit For A Lawyer
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.
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.
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.
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.
Preexisting conditions do not necessarily rule out your ability to win a damage award. Be truthful with your lawyer about any injuries you suffered before the accident. Do not ask for a settlement that exceeds the impact of the personal injuries the other party can be held responsible for.
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
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.
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.
What About Criminal Defense, DUI, or Family Law Representation?
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
Phoenix Area Attorney Documents
Here’s a map of criminal defense lawyers, DUI lawyers, family law attorneys, and divorce lawyers throughout the Phoenix valley and communities.