When the worst happens and you’re in an accident, you need legal representation. Whether you’re filing a personal injury lawsuit or settling your personal injury claim, the right lawyer makes a big difference. You don’t want just any lawyer. You want an accident attorney that you’re comfortable with, knows your community, is experienced, and who will fight for you. Here are the top four things to look for when hiring a personal injury attorney in Rio Rancho.
1. Expertise in Their Specialty
Lawyers specialize in different areas of the law. Personal injury lawyers have a great deal of knowledge about the specific laws applying to your case, such as the statute of limitations. They may also further specialize in medical malpractice cases, car accidents, etc. To discover a lawyer’s background, plan to ask questions such as:
- How long have you been in practice?
- What percentage of your practice involves personal injury cases? What percentage of these cases are similar to mine?
- Do you most often represent plaintiffs or defendants (in other words, businesses, doctors, and insurance companies)?
- Do you have experience with my insurance company and/or adjuster?
- What experience do you have taking cases to trial and negotiating outside of court?
Additionally, you should inquire about who will be working on your case. Many firms tout their partners’ expertise, but once you hire them, they assign you to a junior lawyer that doesn’t have a similar level of experience and skills.
Anita Sanchez, Esq., and Aaron Piñon, Esq., previously practiced law defending insurance companies. However, they saw the need for aggressive and thorough representation for injured people in their neighborhoods and community. Since opening the practice over a decade ago, they have exclusively represented plaintiffs. They have amassed experience representing injured parties in auto and motorcycle accidents, pedestrian accidents, against drunk drivers, and in dog attack and slip-and-fall cases. They will work on your case directly; however, their full team helps to handle your case efficiently.
2. Experience in the Community
Attorneys from outside your locality may not understand the intricacies of the place or how it affects your case.
Anita Sanchez and Aaron Piñon live, work, and send their kids to school in Rio Rancho. They know where traffic tends to pile up on Southern leading to more collisions and how dangerous driving conditions lead to accidents on U.S. 550. This knowledge helps them understand your case better. They’re also invested in the community and making Rio Rancho a better place. They have been the proud sponsors of the Sanchez & Piñon Teacher Appreciation Award since 2015.
3. Provide a Free Consultation
It’s advisable to sit down with a potential lawyer in person to discuss your claim. It’s wise to bring copies of all the documents you have regarding your claim, which may include police reports, medical bills, and correspondence with your insurance company. Lawyers shouldn’t force you to pay a retainer or make you commit to a fee before demonstrating what they can do for you. You should emerge from the consultation feeling comfortable with the attorney’s ability to listen to you, dedication to your case, approach to your legal representation, and the settlement goal. You should also understand the fees you’ll be charged for your representation.
Sanchez & Piñon offers a complimentary consultation because we believe you should be comfortable with your legal team and how your case will be handled. We offer diligent, aggressive, and compassionate representation. Our aim is to achieve fair and reasonable compensation for all our clients’ damages.
4. Professional Reputation
Being a lawyer requires professional certification, in other words, passing the bar. Within the profession, peers regularly rank and evaluate each other. Additionally, clients provide feedback on the services and representation they’ve achieved. Look for a firm with a respected reputation among both parties.
Anita Sanchez has achieved an “AV” rating from Martindale-Hubbell, which publishes a director providing background information on lawyers and law firms in the U.S. This peer-review rating recognizes the legal ability, longevity in the field, and ethical standards of an attorney. AV is the highest category of recognition. Sanchez & Piñon is also honored to have earned more than 35, five-star Google reviews for our work. It has also achieved top ratings as a member of Martindale-Hubbell.
How Sanchez and Piñon Can Help
Contact Sanchez and Piñon, Rio Rancho’s auto accident and injury attorneys, for a free consultation. While other attorneys talk, we listen and provide a personal level of representation. We can discuss how to fight for the compensation you deserve.