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Attorney Representation in Phoenix Arizona Since 1996

How do you know if you really need a Phoenix Car Accident Lawyer? Below we have compiled a list of ten items to help you decide if you really need an Arizona car accident lawyer. Not all injury claims require a lawyer and these tips will help you decide whether or not you should consult with a lawyer regarding your claim.

We recommend you consult with a lawyer when:

1. You were seriously injured

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident in Arizona we recommend you consult with a lawyer. There is no concrete definition of serious injury and every injury claim is different. With that being said, serious injury can include broken bones, permanent injury, excessive time off work, needing surgery, or a hospital stay. When you have been seriously injured, you have a lot more to personal risk compared to someone who was involved in a fender bender. Not having an experienced injury lawyer on your side can leave you vulnerable and, without the right lawyer, you can lose out on your right to legal compensation for tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is important to know the deadlines involved in your claim and understand all of your options so you can choose the best way to proceed. Having an experienced lawyer can help level the playing field with the insurance company. Those who are seriously injured have far more to personal risk when not consulting a lawyer. A personal injury claim that is properly pursued with the right lawyer can have a important, life-changing positive impact for those who have suffered serious injuries.

2. Liability is an issue

Once liability is an issue you should speak to a lawyer right away. Signs that the insurance company may be making liability an issue include signals such as where the insurance company adjuster tells you that they have to speak to their insured more than a few days after the accident, or where the insurance company says that they are still "investigating" the matter. It is important to note that the simple fact that the police gave the other driver a traffic citation does not mean the insurance company for that driver will admit liability for the car accident. The insurance company is allowed to make its own determination of liability. When fault or liability is something that is not being immediately admitted by the other insurance company, it is important to speak to a lawyer so you can gain insight on the dynamics of fighting liability arguments with the insurance company.

3. A government employee/entity is the adverse party

Arizona laws has very different time deadlines for government entities than private individuals. If the driver of a vehicle or the person who caused the car accident is a government employee it is important to consult a lawyer so you can learn of the deadlines. For instance, in Arizona if a government employee ran into your car and caused your injury, you only have 180 days to serve a "Notice of Claim." There are very specific details and requirements to a Notice of Claim and if the Notice of Claim is not completed correctly and not served on the correct people, your claim and all of your rights to recovery will be lost forever.

4. You have a pre-existing injury.

Pre-existing injuries are one of the easiest and most common grounds upon which an insurance company can base their argument on denying a claim. The insurance company will treat someone who has a pre-existing injury entirely different than if you had no prior injury at all. It is important to understand how a skilled lawyer can work with medical doctors and other providers to show how the pre-existing injury can be differentiated from the injury caused by the accident. Speaking to an experienced injury lawyer will help you understand if you will need an Arizona auto accident attorney to prove that the injury caused by the accident exacerbated the prior injury or was a different injury, entirely. An attorney can also go over with you what documents should be signed and what documents should not be signed if the insurance company sends you documents.

5. Your vehicle is in a tow yard

Under Arizona law injury victims have a duty to "mitigate" their damages. If your vehicle sits in a tow yard facility it will be incurring storages charges every day. Many times the tow yard makes it very difficult for the injured person to release the vehicle because the tow yard wants to keep the vehicle at its facility to continue to incur charges. The last thing you would want as an injured victim is to be told that you didn’t follow the law and mitigate your damages and to then get stuck with a sizable storage bill. Consulting with an attorney can help you learn what needs to be done to get your vehicle out of the storage lot or what can be done to make sure if the vehicle stays in the storage lot you will not be responsible for the storage bill.

6. The adjuster offers you are settlement right after the accident

More and more often, we are hearing that adjusters are offering to settle claims and giving the injured person a check within days of the accident. We have heard of some instances where the adjuster is at the person’s door step the very same day of the car accident. It is never a good idea to accept a settlement check on the day of the accident. If the adjuster comes to your door step or is offering to settle right away, that should send up red flags. If this occurs, do not sign anything, and immediately contact an experienced Phoenix Arizona car accident lawyer.

7. The adjuster never returns your calls.

If the adjuster is not calling you back or you cannot get in touch with any one at the insurance company, you need to talk with an Arizona car accident attorney to see what your rights are and to help determine how to proceed. If the adjuster is not calling back, that may be a sign that they are not accepting liability or that they are still investigating the matter. Contacting a lawyer right away when you are not getting return phone calls from the insurance company is especially important if your vehicle is sitting in the storage yard as you do not want to have a delay wherein the storage facility is incurring charges each day and then the insurance company later says it was your delay, when the truth is that the adjuster never called you back. The bottom line is that when the adjuster is not returning your calls, you should consult with an experienced Arizona injury lawyer.

8. The other driver was driving drunk, fell asleep at the wheel, or other extenuating circumstances caused the collision

These types of actions by a driver may call for a punitive damage claim which can increase the value of your claims by sometimes hundreds of thousands of dollars, or more. Punitive damages are a specific legal claim arguing that the adverse party did something so egregious that they should be punished. Very rarely will an innocently injured person be able to argue a punitive damage claim effectively. It is important that you speak to a Phoenix car accident attorney so you can know the extent of a punitive damage claim and see if you even need to hire a lawyer.

9. You have Medicare

Medicare laws are very strict and when handling a claim all parties are responsible for knowing the laws. The Medicare laws are very complex. There are certain requirements for handling an injury claim when a person has Medicare. There are requirements that include processing a conditional lien amount and a final lien amount. Attorneys are able to negotiate liens with Medicare as well. Depending on your injury claim, you may need an attorney to even get a check in your name, otherwise the check will have to go to Medicare which can cause long time delays.

10. You do not have health insurance

If you do not have health insurance you should consult with a lawyer to see what your options are for seeking medical care. Many times Arizona personal injury lawyers can find an injured party a doctor who will treat the patient but will wait to receive the money until the settlement or verdict that wins the case. It is important that if you are hurt in a car accident you receive medical care not only for the obvious importance of getting better as completely and quickly as possible, but also to prevent the insurance company from denying fair payment on your claim due to the delay in treatment. The insurance company will most likely say if you do not have medical treatment, you were not hurt. The right attorney can help you determine which doctors you can see and if treating on a medical lien is the best thing for you and your claim.

Breyer Law Offices, P.C., offers free consultations at no further obligation to you. To learn more about your legal options at this free consultation, please send us a message through our Website or call (602) 978-6400; (623) 930-8064; (480) 753-4534; o para llamarnos en español, (602) 222-8787.