Car Accident Lawyer in Mesa

Each year in Arizona’s Maricopa County, there are approximately 85,970 motor vehicle crashes. Of these, 613 often result in fatalities. These crashes occur for a variety of reasons, from driving while intoxicated to distracted driving, but they all lead to serious accidents.

With that being said, if you’ve been in a car accident in Mesa that was someone else’s fault, the most important thing to do is reach out to a Mesa car accident lawyer as soon as possible. You may think that you can handle the legal claims process on your own, but not hiring a lawyer could put you at risk of missing out on the compensation you deserve.

Finding the Right Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

You may be tempted to choose the first Mesa car accident lawyer you hear about, but that isn’t the right strategy. You need to find someone qualified to represent you, and that comes down to a few crucial qualities, such as:

Expertise in Car Accidents

Often, people assume that because a personal injury lawyer deals with many types of claims, they’ll also know how to tackle car accident claims. But that’s not always the case. Car accidents in Arizona are complex because of the various laws that govern them.

Among these is the state’s comparative negligence law, which affirms that you can still receive compensation, even if you are partly responsible for your accident. Your percentage of responsibility impacts the compensatory amount you receive, which is why it’s so crucial to have an attorney who understands how to prove the degree of fault you have.

Track Record of Success

You must also determine whether the lawyer you have your eye on has been successful in the cases they’ve already represented. A lawyer who has handled many claims but who has not been able to win appropriate settlements is not someone you want to represent your claim.

The last thing you need is a lawyer who under-settles so that they can move on to their next client. Reputable lawyers will be ready to share their success rates so that you have all of the necessary information before making a decision.

Client Reviews and Testimonials

Hearing about the experiences previous clients have had with your potential lawyers is essential as you narrow your choices. Many times, you can find testimonials on a lawyer’s website, and there are many review sites where you can get an honest look at what you can expect if you choose that lawyer.

A few negative comments don’t have to be deal-breakers. But if you see that the majority of comments talk about similar issues, you’ll want to go for another car accident lawyer. You’ve gone through a difficult enough time already with the injuries and losses you’ve sustained. You don’t need the wrong lawyer to make things worse on top of that.

Free Consultations and Flexible Scheduling

You never want to pay for a consultation with a car accident attorney. It is meant to help ensure that you have a viable claim, and you shouldn’t have to worry about added fees.

On the subject of fees, personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you won’t have to pay them until/unless you win. Your lawyer will cover all of the necessary upfront costs, and you’ll reimburse them later through your winnings.

Aside from fees, something else you need to ensure is that the lawyer has time to take on your claim in the first place. In Arizona, there are statutes of limitations that apply to car accidents as well as other personal injury claims. The exact time you have to file your claim can vary depending on many factors, so having a lawyer who has a flexible schedule is important.

The Benefits of Hiring a Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

After suffering injuries, property damage, and any other losses as the result of a car accident, just the thought of heading out to talk with a lawyer about what you’ve been through can seem too difficult.

That can lead you to think that filing a personal injury claim yourself is the right way to go, but it’s not. You can end up getting a much lower settlement if you try to go through the process without representation.

Furthermore, you’ll be missing out on the following benefits that a reputable Mesa car accident lawyer provides:

Understanding Arizona Car Accident Laws

As mentioned above, Arizona has complex laws when it comes to car accidents. Aside from the usual challenges of proving negligence, Arizona has a few more curve balls.

It’s an at-fault state, for one, which means whoever caused the accident is the one who will have to cover the other party’s losses. But even then, you cannot forget that the state also has its comparative negligence laws. If you try to file a claim yourself, you could end up shouldering a larger degree of fault than you deserve.

A lawyer with experience will be able to accurately present your claim, using and working with Arizona’s laws as much to your benefit as possible.

Maximizing Compensation

Another reason why you need to turn to car accident lawyers is that they can help you get the highest possible compensation value. They know what your claim could be worth and will do their best to get you a fair deal. And because they have plenty of experience negotiating with insurance companies, they tend to have more success getting fair deals.

Investigating Your Accident

You will need to provide a lot of evidence to prove that the other driver was the one at fault. When you have a lawyer in your corner, they will gather all of that evidence and sort through it to get the truth for you.

In complex accidents, reconstructing the crash could be the best way to get a clear idea of what happened. Lawyers tend to know many expert witnesses who can help do so.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

Insurance companies may put on a concerned face when they’re trying to get you to sign up for their services, but they can be fierce when there’s the risk of them having to pay you.

They’ll turn to all manner of tactics, from aggressively trying to get you to drop your claim to threatening you with withholding payment unless you accept a low deal. If you don’t have a lawyer helping you, it’s possible that you’ll give in to the pressure.

A car accident lawyer knows how to deal with insurance companies. They won’t allow themselves to be bullied or swayed if they know you deserve better.

Representing You in Court

In some instances, your case could go to court. If the insurance company is playing hardball or if there are questions about fault, the best option could be to file a lawsuit and litigate. The right lawyer will be prepared (and subsequently prepare you) for such an outcome.

Why Choose a Local Mesa Car Accident Lawyer

The lawyer you choose shouldn’t just know Arizona. They should know Mesa, and that means offering the following:

Mesa Court System Familiarity

Your lawyer’s knowledge of the ins and outs of the Mesa court system will put you at a significant advantage. Their familiarity means that they will know the various judges and their tendencies, how long your claim could take, and many other details that someone who’s not worked in the city won’t know.

A local lawyer will also have more region-specific contacts, including expert witnesses. These individuals will make the process easier and more efficient than relying on out-of-town experts.

Lastly, local lawyers will also know about precedents in the area that could have a bearing on your claim. They may also have knowledge of local insurance practices, which could impact your claim.

Understanding Local Traffic Patterns and Risks

A lawyer who knows Mesa like the back of their hand will know where the most traffic-prone areas are and what usually causes crashes in those areas. That can help with establishing liability and putting together a comprehensive picture of the circumstances leading to the accident.

Personalized Attention

Finally, having a local lawyer means you can have more meetings in person. That makes for easier and more effective communication while also fostering trust. Your lawyer will get to understand the challenges you’re currently facing, and you’ll have the chance to ask questions and get thorough answers without rushing through a phone call.

How Gerber Injury Law Can Help

If you’ve been involved in a car accident in Mesa, you need to have an experienced lawyer ready by your side who is ready to tackle your claim. At Gerber Injury Law, we have more than 20 years of experience helping people in Arizona, including Mesa. We know how tough it can be to get the compensation you need, so we’re here to help.

We’re here to offer reliable and compassionate guidance so you can get the kind of fair settlement you deserve. Call us at 623-486-8300 or send us a message via our contact form today.