Personal Injury: Frequently Asked Questions

Have you been involved in a preventable accident that left you injured? You may be wondering if you have a claim, or have questions about what your options are and how to proceed. Suzuki Law Offices, L.L.C. may be able to help. Read on for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions we hear about the personal injury claims process.

How soon should I file a lawsuit?

If you have been injured in an accident, it is very important to contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Each state has its own statute of limitations that places a limit on the amount of time you have to file a claim. In Arizona, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases (some exceptions may apply). Failure to file within this period will cause you to forever forfeit the option to sue and collect compensation.

Can I handle this alone, or do I need to hire an attorney?

In many cases, it will be in your best interests to hire an attorney to ensure that you receive an appropriate amount of compensation for expenses related to your injury. Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to undervalue or dismiss claims, especially if they know that you are without representation. An attorney has experience handling insurance companies and can fight to protect your rights to a fair settlement.

What is my personal injury case worth?

Each personal injury case has its own unique set of circumstances that will determine how much compensation you are entitled to. Be wary of anyone who attempts to tell you the value of your claim before it has been investigated by a lawyer. Depending on the facts of your case, an experienced personal injury attorney can gather evidence to help you achieve maximum compensation for medical and rehabilitation expenses, mental anguish, pain and suffering, lost wages, lost earning capacity, and more.

How do I handle an insurance adjuster?

After an accident, an insurance adjuster may ask you to give them a recorded statement about what happened. It is never a good idea to submit a statement without first consulting an attorney. Insurance adjusters are trained to subtly influence you into saying something that would ultimately insulate their company against any liability, or to minimize your claims. Keep in mind that these statements can also be used against you in court. Once a statement is made, it may be very difficult to correct or explain later, so talk to your lawyer on how best to handle the situation to preserve your best interests.

Can I still pursue compensation if I was partially at fault for my injuries?

While personal injury law usually deals with accidents that are entirely someone else’s fault, many injury accidents are caused by a variety of factors where the blame may have been shared. To address this issue, Arizona is one of the few states in the country with a Pure Comparative Negligence Law, which allows both parties involved in an accident to collect a percentage of compensation proportional to their amount of fault in the accident. Other states and jurisdictions have modifications of this law that may or may not allow them to collect compensation if they were to blame for a certain percentage of the accident. Consult with your lawyer to see what you may be eligible for.

What kids of claims can Suzuki Law Offices, L.L.C. help with?

Our firm has experience handling all kinds of personal injury cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, defective products, property accidents, construction accidents, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, and more.

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