How Lawyers Work to Increase Compensation After an Accident

If you’ve been hurt in a crash, you have probably already heard the question: do I really need a lawyer? The honest answer is that hiring one almost always pays off. 

Studies of personal injury claims have found that injury victims with attorneys recover significantly more than those who try to handle things alone, often several times more, even after legal fees are paid. A skilled Phoenix car accident attorney knows how to build a case that insurance companies take seriously, and that is the single biggest factor in how much money ends up in your pocket at the end.

So, how do law firms help recover full compensation for car accident injuries? It comes down to a few things insurance companies hope you never learn. 

First, your lawyer takes over every conversation with the insurer, which shuts down the recorded statements, leading questions, and lowball offers adjusters use to shrink claims. Second, your lawyer calculates the full value of your damages, not just today’s medical bills, but future medical care, lost wages, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. 

Arizona does not cap most of these damages, which means a well-built case can recover everything you have lost. And under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence rule, you can still recover compensation even if you were partly at fault for the crash, although the percentage of fault assigned to you matters enormously, which is exactly the kind of thing an experienced attorney fights to push back on.

Knowing how to maximize a personal injury settlement is part legal skill, part investigation, and part willingness to go to trial if the insurance company refuses to be reasonable. Insurers reserve their best offers for lawyers they believe will actually take a case in front of a jury, which is why hiring a real trial lawyer matters more than hiring whoever has the biggest billboard. 

In this piece, we’ll break down exactly how the team at Gage Mathers works to build the strongest possible case, push insurance companies to their limits, and recover the full compensation our clients deserve.

Doing Legwork to Improve Your Claim

An experienced personal injury attorney will gather evidence to support the value of your claim. Depending on the circumstances, they may talk to eyewitnesses, hire experts to do a scene analysis or reconstruction, establish who was responsible for the accident, and review police and medical records.

An attorney may identify multiple parties that caused the accident. This could be another driver, a manufacturer, or the agency responsible for maintaining the location of the accident.

How a Lawyer Increases Your Accident Compensation

Bargaining for You

When you work with an attorney, the insurance company is not allowed to contact you directly. They must talk to you through your attorney, which can relieve a lot of stress and prevent you from accidentally saying anything that could harm your case. 

An insurance company may try to dismiss your injuries as being exaggerated or even claim you had the injuries before the accident. Your attorney will argue that these are unfair accusations and prove that the injuries and damages at hand are real.

Personal injury law is also complicated. One of the other benefits of an accident lawyer versus a general lawyer is that they will understand the true value of your case based on their experience in this specialized field. An attorney who understands the details of Arizona law will know how hard they can push on certain points, as well as pitfalls to avoid when battling with insurance companies. 

Knowing When to Go to Trial

When you show up at the negotiation table with a lawyer, the insurance company will know you are serious about your claims and that you are willing to fight if needed. Insurance companies don’t want a lengthy and expensive legal battle, so they will take the negotiation process more seriously if you come in with a top-notch attorney from Gage Mathers Law Group. 

If they do not make an offer that adequately compensates you for your injuries and losses, you may not have any other choice but to take them to court. Your lawyer will prepare you for trial and argue for you in court if this is the route you eventually take.

Steps You Can Take to Help Your Case

Always get medical attention as soon as possible after an accident, even if you don’t think your injuries are serious. Some injuries aren’t immediately obvious. You could have a traumatic spinal or brain injury that requires treatment and could lead to long-lasting health complications. Don’t take chances with your health–having documentation and test results from medical professionals following an accident will also support your claim.

Insurance companies are going to challenge your claims. If possible, take photos and collect the contact information of any witnesses. Also, keep detailed and accurate records of any property damage, lost wages, and medical expenses you incur because of the accident. This information will support the value of your claim during the negotiation process and if you end up in court. 

Don’t Overlook What Your Property Damage Claim Can Include

Most people assume that a property damage claim after a car accident simply means getting their car repaired or replaced. In reality, property damage compensation in Arizona can cover far more than the vehicle itself, and a lawyer can help make sure none of it gets left out.

If the accident totaled your vehicle, you’re entitled to its fair market value immediately before the crash, not the depreciated number an insurance adjuster might push for. If it was repairable, you may also have a claim for diminished value, which is the measurable drop in your car’s resale value simply because it now has an accident on its record, even after a perfect repair. Insurers rarely volunteer this information, but it can amount to thousands of dollars in recoverable losses. Your attorney can document this with an independent appraisal and fight for that amount alongside your repair costs.

Property damage can also extend beyond the car itself. If you had personal belongings inside the vehicle (a laptop, a child’s car seat, prescription eyewear, tools for work), these losses may be compensable, as well. The same applies to rental car costs you incur while your vehicle is being repaired or while you’re waiting for a settlement.

One of the most important things an attorney will protect you from is settling your property damage claim before your injury claim is fully resolved. Insurance companies sometimes encourage quick property damage settlements and bury release language in the paperwork that could inadvertently waive your right to seek additional compensation for your injuries. 

Once you sign, you may have no further legal recourse, regardless of what your medical treatment ends up costing. At Gage Mathers, we review every document before you sign anything, ensuring your property rights and your injury claim remain fully intact and on track toward the maximum recovery you deserve.

Final Thoughts

Let your attorney do their job and don’t push for a quick settlement. Getting a fair offer that reflects the full extent of your injuries and damages will take time and resources. You want to be fully informed when considering settlement offers; if you rush, you may agree to a number without having all the facts.

If you are still debating whether you should hire a lawyer for an insurance claim dispute, consider this: hiring an experienced attorney could cause an insurance company to make a fair settlement offer to avoid the cost of a lengthy legal battle and uncertain outcome should the matter go to trial. To learn more about your options, contact the experts at Gage Mathers today!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 24 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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