How To Choose the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Phoenix, AZ
March 11, 2024 | Personal Injury
Many people never have a reason to hire a lawyer until they are injured in an accident. When you are hurt and struggling with getting the care you need and paying mounting bills, you may already feel overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. How do you select the best personal injury lawyer to handle your case, and what should you look for?
Here’s how to find and choose a Phoenix personal injury lawyer you can trust to represent you and negotiate on your behalf.
Determine Your Legal Needs
Before you start researching personal injury attorneys in Phoenix, consider the type of case you may have and what you need in a lawyer. Personal injury law is vast, covering everything from negligence-based cases and intentional torts like assault to cases involving strict liability. Most lawyers have more experience or specialize in certain types of cases.
Most personal injury cases involve negligence – or someone’s carelessness causing harm to another. Car accidents and medical malpractice are two examples.
Strict liability holds someone liable for harm in certain circumstances, even if they were not negligent. For example, dog owners are held strictly liable for dog bites, and manufacturers are held liable for defective products even if they were not negligent.
It’s helpful to understand the type of case you have before contacting a lawyer. Some types of cases are more complex than others and involve complicated statutes and case law. Medical malpractice, product liability, and premises liability are common examples of complex cases.
Once you know the type of case you have, you know enough about your legal needs to begin looking for a lawyer.
Find a Qualified Phoenix Personal Injury Lawyer
Create a list of lawyers in the area who handle similar cases. You can start with referrals from family and friends. The Maricopa County Bar Association (MCBA) is a good option for finding lawyers with relevant experience through their Lawyer Referral Service, which has a nominal fee.
You can also use online legal directories to find qualified lawyers in the area. Super Lawyers is one directory that lists and ranks attorneys who have a high level of achievement based on independent research and peer nominations.
With a list of candidates, you can start researching each lawyer on your list to narrow down the options.
Research Each Personal Injury Lawyer
Carefully evaluate each lawyer on your list to make sure they are a good fit for your case.
Start by checking for previous disciplinary actions. Check the lawyer’s disciplinary record online with the State Bar of Arizona. The Disciplinary Commission reviews attorney misconduct cases and recommends disciplinary action like censure, suspension, or disbarment. You can review formal complaints online.
Next, review the lawyer’s website to learn about specializations, experience, and their approach. Their website may highlight any awards, recognition, or membership in invitation-only organizations.
Check reviews from former clients, too. Check for overall trends in client feedback about the lawyer’s communication, strategy, and behavior. This will help you narrow down your list.
Schedule Initial Consultations
A personal injury lawyer typically offers a free case evaluation lasting 30 to 60 minutes. It’s a good idea to talk with a few lawyers on your shortlist.
During the consultation, you will tell your story about what happened, and the lawyer will ask questions before giving their opinion about your case and legal options.
Make sure you ask questions during your consultation, including:
- Will you handle my case personally, or will someone else at the firm?
- How much experience do you have with cases like mine?
- How many cases have you taken to trial?
- What do you think is the most likely outcome in my case?
- What should I expect in terms of communication?
The best lawyer will seem engaged, communicate well, answer your questions, and leave you feeling comfortable and confident in their abilities. Make sure you choose an attorney you can trust to handle your case and negotiate on your behalf. Consider the overall approach, advice, experience, and communication of each lawyer to choose the one you feel is the best fit.
Contact the Arizona Personal Injury Lawyers at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers Today
If you were injured in an accident in Phoenix, AZ, and need legal help, contact our Phoenix personal injury attorneys at Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free case review today.
Curiel & Runion Personal Injury Lawyers
1221 E Osborn Rd. Suite 201
Phoenix, AZ 85014
(602) 595-5559