The Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Phoenix Car Accident Attorney

Car accidents can happen in a second, but their effects last much longer. 

Even if you’re in a minor fender bender, there can still be physical, mental, and emotional repercussions. In the weeks and months that follow, you may need to miss work, pay for costly medical bills, and rearrange your life as you heal.

You deserve compensation to cover the costs of these expenses. A Phoenix car accident attorney can help you receive the payout you deserve. 

Not sure how to hire one or why you need legal representation in the first place? Today, we’re breaking down all of the details you need to know.

What Can a Car Accident Attorney Do For You?

With so much to do and think about after a car accident, hiring an attorney might be the last thing on your mind. You might be working through physical pain and emotional trauma, as well as a mountain of paperwork. However, it’s worth taking the time to research and reach out to the right one. 

Of course, each case is unique. However, there are many different steps that a car accident lawyer can help you complete. This includes:

• Communicating with your insurance company
• Communicating with the other driver’s insurance company
• Obtaining evidence to prove fault and liability
• Organizing and managing your accident-related files
• Communicating with your medical provider to prove damages
• Working with witnesses and reconstruction experts to build a solid case for you
• Negotiating with insurance providers to get a satisfactory settlement

If your car accident case cannot be settled outside of court, your attorney can also represent you in a trial. While you could represent yourself, it’s easy to make a misstep in the process or settle for less than you truly deserve.

How to Hire a Phoenix Car Accident Attorney

Phoenix is a big city, and there are many different lawyers with the skills and experience required to take on your case. Knowing this, how can you make sure you’re partnering with the right one? 

Let’s take a look at a few of the best ways to sort through the options and choose the best team for your needs. 

Check Online Presence

Start by searching for a Phoenix attorney online. You can do so by Googling terms like “car accident lawyer near me” or “hiring a lawyer in Phoenix”.

From this simple online query, you should be able to find at least five teams that are up for the job. Before you hire just anyone, check out their website, first. 

Is it easy to find your way around the different pages? Are their competencies and areas of focus clearly listed at the top? Keep in mind that not every Phoenix attorney will specialize in car accident law, so this is an important distinction to make. 

If their website is slow to load and difficult to navigate, this isn’t necessarily a red flag. However, it can speak volumes about their technical prowess and commitment to client support. You should be able to find your way around their site in seconds, and go exactly where you need to in just a few clicks.

Read Reviews

Next, check out what others are saying about the legal teams you’re considering. If you search for their specific practice name on Google, you should be able to find their Google Business Profile.

Here, you can find out a ton of valuable information about the practice. This includes their physical address, hours of operation, website, directions, and basic contact information. If anyone has left a review for the practice, it will show up on their profile, too. 

By reading the reviews, you can discern how your own experience might go. Look for key themes that past clients are talking about, such as the lawyers’ promptness and professionalism (or lack thereof). As you read this feedback, keep in mind that each person’s experience is different, and what one reviewer considers to be a deal-breaker might not even apply to your case. 

You can also check the lawyer’s website for additional reviews. Many practices will devote an entire webpage to these testimonials because they’re proud of the quality work that they do. You can hear from our satisfied clients on our Results Page!

Schedule a Consultation

Once you’ve clicked around their website and browsed their reviews, it’s time to give each practice a call. Most legal teams will offer free consultations, so use this opportunity to your advantage. This gives you time to talk about the high-level details of your accident, but the conversation should be far from one-sided.

Make sure the lawyer you speak to can also answer some basic questions about their practice. These include:

• How long have you been in business?
• How long have you represented clients in Phoenix?
• Do you specialize in car accident law?
• Are you closely familiar with car accident laws in the state of Arizona?
• How many cases have you worked on that are similar to mine?
• What is your track record for winning cases like mine?

These aren’t complicated questions, and any lawyer you speak to should be able to answer them clearly and confidently. If they appear to purposely avoid the question or talk around it, then this could be a sign that they aren’t as qualified as you first thought.

Most of the time, lawyers will conduct these consultations free of charge, though you may find that some charge a small fee. While you talk, pay attention to how you feel during and immediately after the conversation.

Remember: This is the team that will be representing you and fighting for your best interests. You’ll be communicating with them frequently throughout your case, so you want to make sure they make you feel comfortable, safe, and assured during the meeting.

Understand Fees Up-Front

While hiring an attorney, resist the urge to go with the lowest-priced one just because you think you can save money that way. Instead, choose the team that possesses the skills and attributes required to help you win your case. 

Still, it’s important to understand the financial commitment that you’ll be required to uphold. Most car accident attorneys will not charge a fee unless they win your case. Then, they will deduct their pay from a portion of your total earnings. 

This is called working on a contingency basis. It gives attorneys an incentive to work as hard as possible to help you earn as much as possible, so everyone wins. As an exception, some lawyers will require a small payment to take on your case before it’s even open.

This isn’t necessarily a reason to walk away, but it should be easy to find a lawyer who doesn’t require an up-front, out-of-pocket expense. Make sure you understand exactly what percentage of your earnings your attorney will take if you win.

These percentages should be set and communicated before the attorney takes your case and you start working together. Get the amount in writing to serve as a permanent record of the agreement. This way, you can avoid any costly surprises and setbacks down the road. 

Documentation to Bring on Your Visit

Once you’ve completed the steps above, you should be able to identify one car accident attorney who stands above the rest. Once you’ve signed your service contract and agreed to work together, you’ll need to prepare for your initial in-person consultation. 

When you go, make sure to bring all of your accident-related documentation with you. This includes:

• Your photo ID 
• A copy of your car insurance policy
• A copy of your health insurance policy
• Copies of any medical bills or records related to your accident
• Pictures or videos that you took of the accident scene
• Pictures or videos that prove personal injury or property damage
• Contact information for any key witnesses
• A copy of the police report

If you come to the meeting equipped with all of this information, your lawyer will be able to get started as soon as possible. They can use these documents to build a strong case for you. This means you could see your benefits quicker. 

If you are unsure about what to bring, reach out to your lawyer beforehand. They will be able to tell you exactly what you need, and where to locate it. If you have difficulty locating any of these files, they can also communicate with the correct document manager on your behalf. 

Hire a Phoenix Car Accident Attorney Today

Your post-accident time should be spent healing and recovering. You should feel confident that a qualified, professional lawyer is fighting for your rights.

As you search for the best Phoenix car accident attorney near you, we can make the process a little easier. Our lawyers are skilled in this area, but we aim to do more than simply win your case. We want to give you the confidence and security you need to move forward from this traumatic experience, and this includes securing the maximum compensation for your losses.

Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation, and let’s get started.