Personal injury claims can apply to a wide range of circumstances. Whether you are injured in a car accident, a slip and fall on someone’s property, or a dog bite: proving that the other party is liable and responsible for your damages can be challenging.
If you are unable to prove your case, you cannot recover compensation for your claim. Having an experienced and knowledgeable lawyer handle your injury claim, early on, and from start to finish: either with the at-fault insured’s insurance company claims adjuster; and/or by filing your personal injury lawsuit, when and if appropriate, on your behalf is the best way to ensure that you are compensated fairly by the at-fault party.
Not all personal injury lawyers are the same… At Jeff GOULD Law, we are the Attorney In YOUR Corner. In order to find the best attorney to handle your personal injury case, keep in mind these 4 things to consider before hiring any personal injury attorney.
- Personal responsibilities
As a client, you will have both rights and responsibilities. Your health and wellbeing should be the top priority following a personal injury, but secondarily, making sure that a detailed record of your medical bills and injuries are properly documented is vital. Document, document, document… Remain in compliance with doctor recommendations and avoid strenuous activities that are contrary to the at-fault insurer’s misconception: that your injuries are not severe, that you are not injured, or that you are not mitigating your damages by following through with reasonable and necessary medical treatments. Finally, being honest and candid with your attorney will help better protect your interests. An attorney can only assist you as much as you allow. Make sure that they have all the pertinent information to provide accurate advice so you can make informed decisions.
- Important Documentation
For a strong case, it is important to keep a detailed record of how your injuries and medical treatment progresses. It is also important to ensure that your attorney will have ample evidence and time to gather the documentation showing the toll your injuries have had on you, your family, and your life. If you were injured in an auto accident, having pictures of any damage to vehicles and insurance information from the scene will eliminate the ability of the at-fault party to deny any facts that you are claiming.
Additionally, photographs of any actual injury – bruising/cuts/scrapes/trauma need to be taken and provided to your attorney as they happen and appear in real-time. A picture is worth a thousand words and documents what happened. If, for example, you were injured in a slip and fall, document with photographs – where the floor was wet or uneven. Photographing and documenting as many details from the injury scene and your injuries as possible is the best way to ensure that your attorney will have the evidence and information they need to protect your best interests. Regardless of who your attorney is, they can more effectively support your case if you can provide them with ample documentation of the details of your accident and injury.
- Contingency fees
A contingency fee is a form of payment lawyers receive for their services regarding your personal injury case. Unlike a fixed hourly rate, in a contingent fee arrangement, attorneys receive an agreed-upon percentage of any negotiated/awarded monetary amount – when and if the case is resolved, either by settlement or by litigated judgment. Unlike many other legal matters, attorneys in personal injury cases are most often paid through contingency fees. How you will be compensated, and the terms of the contingency fee agreement between you and your attorney is an important factor when considering a personal injury lawyer. Understanding what a contingency fee entails will help you be prepared in leading up to and following the case itself. At Jeff GOULD Law, if we don’t recover compensation for your injury damages, you will not be charged an attorney contingency fee. No recovery, no fee.
- Experience and concentration
When seeking an attorney that will give you the best chance at maximum compensation in a personal injury case, experience counts. You want an attorney who has handled hundreds of personal injury cases similar to yours. An attorney with experience handling cases like yours will be able to prepare you for what to expect moving forward, adequately fight to protect your interests, and overall offer a better outcome and maximize damages for resolution. Each case a lawyer handles increases their skills and knowledge, but you don’t want your case to be just another part of the “learning curve” for your attorney.
At Jeff GOULD Law, we have helped hundreds of clients maximize recovery for injury damages through negotiated claim settlements and maximized judgments. If you have been injured in Arizona, we are the Attorney in YOUR Corner, and we will personally handle your injury case from start to finish to help you recover what you deserve: maximum compensation for your injuries.
DISCLAIMER: The information on this blog/site is NOT, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. It is for general informational use only. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Further, this information does not create an attorney-client relationship.