If you or someone you love has been involved in an auto accident, contact Chandler personal injury attorney Carlos F. Maldonado at the Law Offices of Carlos F. Maldonado today. The Law Offices of Carlos F. Maldonado has recovered millions of dollars on behalf of individuals who have been injured in car accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle accidents, bus accidents and pedestrian accidents throughout the East Valley area including Gilbert, Mesa, Chandler, Tempe and Scottsdale Arizona.
If you don’t know how the insurance companies work, hire someone who does
Insurance companies are in business to make money, just like any other for-profit company. They spend millions of dollars on advertising campaigns and lawyers whose job it is to help them avoid paying out claims. When you’re involved in an accident with someone who doesn’t have adequate insurance coverage, you can end up facing significant financial costs after being injured. It is imperative that you get legal help if you find yourself in such a situation. An experienced attorney can help ensure that your rights are protected and that you receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages and other expenses resulting from an accident caused by another person’s negligence.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions
One of your primary goals as an attorney is to get to know your client and their case as intimately as possible. Don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand what they’re saying, or if you think they may be hiding something. Be sure not to interrupt them while they talk—let them explain their entire story before jumping in with questions. Make sure that you keep detailed notes when you speak with your clients, so that you can refer back to previous conversations. This will help you keep track of everything they tell you, which will come in handy later on in court. Listen carefully and take good notes, and these conversations will only help strengthen your case!
Insurance companies want to settle as cheaply as possible
Insurance companies aren’t known for paying out more than they have to, so don’t be surprised if you receive an offer that seems too good to be true. If you don’t have a lawyer on your side, you may find yourself settling for less than what you actually deserve. A Chandler car accident attorney can put together an effective case and fight for fair compensation on your behalf. After all, no one knows better how to navigate through insurance company negotiations than those who do it full-time—and are well-versed in local laws and practices. And speaking of doing it full-time: Insurance companies hire their own lawyers to handle every claim they receive; yours should be at least as dedicated to fighting for your rights as theirs is.
The settlement can be much higher if you hire an attorney
Although you might feel that you have Chandler car accident attorney way of knowing how much your case is worth, working with an attorney does bring certain benefits. An attorney will have experience in dealing with car accident cases, which means they know how to get fair compensation. They can also help you file all of your paperwork correctly and represent you at court if it becomes necessary. Settlements are often higher when an attorney is involved and many insurance companies are willing to pay more to avoid going before a judge and jury. Because of all these benefits, hiring an attorney is generally worth it in any car accident case because it could end up making all the difference in your settlement. Be sure to get quotes from several attorneys before deciding who to hire so that you don’t end up paying too much for their services.
Don’t sign anything until you understand it
If you’ve been in an accident and need legal representation, it’s understandable that you want to get started as soon as possible. However, rushing into signing forms can lead to mistakes, including signing away rights that may come in handy later on. For example, insurance companies may try to get you to sign away your right to sue in exchange for an early payout; however, if they’re paying out too quickly or at a low-ball rate, your attorney can go back and fight for more on your behalf after they’ve assessed all of your options. It’s better to wait until you have good legal representation than rushing into something with no second opinions or legal guidance.