If you’ve been in an accident, especially one involving injuries or property damage, you may have many questions. How do I choose the right lawyer? How much will this cost me? What if the other party was at fault? There are so many questions to answer and figure out when involved in an accident, but these answers can be difficult to get if you don’t have any prior experience with such situations. If you hire the right attorney, however, you won’t have to worry about these things and can focus on getting well instead of dealing with paperwork and insurance claims.
What does a personal injury attorney do?
When an individual is seriously injured in a car accident, or any other type of personal injury accident, they may be left facing many unknowns. What do I do next? Who will help me with my medical bills? How will I get to work while I recover? Will I ever be able to work again? These are just some of the questions that may run through someone’s mind after they’ve been injured in an accident. And if you find yourself in such a situation, it can feel overwhelming to know where to turn for answers.
Why you need a professional attorney after an auto accident
A lot can happen during an accident. The police might be called, witnesses might show up and take pictures, you may be asked to provide certain documents or make statements and you may end up in court. You shouldn’t try to handle these legal issues on your own. An experienced attorney will know what steps to take to protect your interests. If you were hurt or suffered financial losses because of another driver’s negligence, an attorney can help you get compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering caused by their actions. Even if you aren’t hurt but are still facing economic loss after a collision with someone else’s vehicle or property, an experienced attorney can help protect your rights as well.
Who is qualified to represent me?
If you’ve been injured in an auto accident, your first instinct might be to contact an attorney right away. However, there are certain things you should consider before doing so. First, it is important to understand who is qualified to represent you. In Arizona, any attorney may advertise that they specialize in auto accidents and personal injury law, but only attorneys licensed by the Supreme Court of Arizona Board of Legal Specialization may advertise that they are specialists or certified in one or more areas: Personal Injury (PI) as well as Auto Negligence (AN), General Liability (GL), Workers Compensation Law (WCL), Criminal Defense and Real Estate Transactions. This means any attorneys not listed on The State Bar Website cannot claim specialized experience on their website when representing you for these matters.
What happens after an auto accident?
Injuries resulting from auto accidents are often severe and may require extensive medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation. If you have been injured in an accident in Phoenix, contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to ensure your rights are protected and you receive full compensation for your injuries. It’s important to realize that you can only recover compensation for pain and suffering if it is determined that another party was at fault for causing your accident. To fully understand how an injury lawyer can help you after an auto accident, please refer to our prior post on what happens after an auto accident: What Happens After an Auto Accident?
When should I speak with an attorney?
Most people believe that they need to hire an attorney immediately after an accident. In fact, you don’t have to do anything at all for 30 days. This gives you time to learn about your rights, figure out what caused your accident and seek medical treatment. If you find that you have suffered injuries that are significant, then it may be time to start speaking with attorneys about what happened to you and how best to proceed. Also, keep in mind that some auto insurance companies will offer a quick settlement if they determine you have been seriously injured in an accident—but only if you speak with them soon after it happens.
How can I protect myself from a negligent driver?
The best way to protect yourself after an accident is to hire a knowledgeable and experienced car accident lawyer. It’s not cheap—but neither is being permanently injured in an accident. Plus, hiring someone who specializes in car accidents helps ensure that your case will get top priority since they handle such cases on a regular basis. Your best bet is to get in touch with Phoenix personal injury attorney Andrew Jordan of The Andrew Jordan Law Firm. He can help you navigate your legal options so you know how to move forward after an accident and he can do it all at an affordable price since his fees are contingent upon you winning your case and getting compensation for your injuries.
What do I tell my insurance company?
You should tell your insurance company about any damages to your car and how much those damages cost. Although you might be tempted to do that yourself, it’s best to leave it up to a professional because you might forget something or make an error in judgment. Insurance companies can be tricky. They will try everything they can to save money for themselves, not you! That’s why it is important that you hire an experienced lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. It is imperative that you have someone by your side who knows what they are doing.
Are all insurance companies the same?
When you get into an accident, whether it’s Chandler car accident attorney fault or not, dealing with insurance companies can be confusing and even scary. Some insurance companies are known for giving their customers bad service, such as declining claims when they shouldn’t or making it difficult to file claims. You’ll want to research any potential insurance company before signing up with them—in fact, some people recommend calling them at random and seeing how long it takes to reach a real person. If they’re unable to answer your questions about policy coverage clearly, hang up and try another company. If you have any doubts about who might treat you fairly in case of an accident, hire an attorney who specializes in Chandler car accidents; he or she can represent you in negotiations and potentially help with court cases if things go badly.