When you are dealing with a personal injury, the last thing you want is to feel taken advantage of by your personal injury attorney or as if your priorities and interests don’t matter. Achieving a fair outcome for your personal injury claim is not an impossible task or an unreasonable request; it’s what you deserve from your personal injury attorney. Still, since personal injury law in Phoenix is competitive, it can be difficult to know who to trust with your case.
Gillespie, Shields & Taylor can handle your personal injury case with both competence and compassion. Learn more about what to look for in your personal injury law firm and how our attorneys exemplify these traits.
What to Look for in the Best Personal Injury Law Firm
Knowing what to look for in a personal injury law firm can be of considerable help as you search for your personal injury attorney. A good personal injury lawyer can handle the details of your case and advocate for you in court, allowing you more time to focus on recovering from your injury. Above all, you should hire a law firm that can represent your interests better than all the rest.
The best lawyers are responsive, patient, experienced, educated, and reliable. Here are some traits to look for that can help you ensure your personal injury attorney fits the bill.
Experience and Expertise
When you are evaluating what a personal injury law firm can offer you, one of the most important qualities you can look for is experience. You should hire a law firm with a history of handling cases similar to yours, as well as a track record of proven success in those cases. Hiring a law firm with this kind of experience can be useful in anticipating setbacks or applying winning strategies to your case.
Client-Centered Approach
A good personal injury lawyer should be able to communicate effectively with their clients and others. Conveying a client’s experience and message to other lawyers, court officials, and juries is the very fabric of what a personal injury attorney does. Look for a lawyer who is straightforward with you and communicates openly and clearly regarding everything you need to know. Additionally, your lawyer should be a good listener and personalize their services to you.
Results-Oriented Representation
When you are seeking legal representation for a personal injury case, it is understandable to gravitate toward lawyers who have helped their clients win significant settlements in the past. It’s important to keep in mind that every case is unique, so your settlement might look significantly different than another similar case. The important thing to look for is positive results, and the personal injury team at Gillespie, Shields & Taylor can help you ensure your outcome is reflective of your struggles.
Why Choose Gillespie, Shields & Taylor for Personal Injury Cases in Phoenix?
Gillespie, Shields & Taylor has an impressive track record of winning personal injury cases for our clients. More importantly, we take pride in ensuring our clients are properly compensated for their injuries and their struggles. We value our clients and provide personalized legal assistance.
When you choose Gillespie, Shields & Taylor to represent your interests in your personal injury case, you can rest assured you will experience the following.
Decades of Legal Experience
When the time comes to seek legal representation for your personal injury case, you will likely place a high value on decades of personalized legal experience. Our firm has been handling complex personal injury cases for years, with hundreds of satisfied clients who were able to receive the settlements they deserved because we provided them with quality legal assistance.
Comprehensive Representation for Every Case
Personal injury cases are not always cut and dry. They are typically complex and multi-dimensional, and our attorneys take pride in providing comprehensive personal injury representation.
We can help you pursue a fair settlement for:
- Car accidents
- Motorcycle accidents
- Truck accidents
- Slip and fall cases
- Dog bites
- Negligent security
- Wrongful death claims,
- And more
If someone else’s negligent or reckless behavior causes personal damages for you, you likely have the opportunity to make a personal injury claim.
Personalized Support and Guidance
People are often reluctant to seek legal help for their personal injury cases. You might be worried about the price, you might be worried your case isn’t strong enough, or you might just think that a lawyer wouldn’t care about your case the way you do. That’s simply not the way we do business at Gillespie, Shields & Taylor. We provide one-on-one attention to all our clients, providing you with somebody you can trust to learn your case inside and out and provide solid assistance to you.
Common Types of Personal Injury Cases We Handle
There are several general categories of personal injury cases filed in Arizona.
The types of personal injury cases we handle include:
- Motor vehicle accidents
- Premises liability cases
- Workplace accidents
- Wrongful death claims
Motor Vehicle Accidents
Few events in your life can be as traumatizing or physically devastating as a motor vehicle accident. Depending on the vehicles involved and the nature of the crash, you may be dealing with severe, life-altering injuries at the time of your filing. In the immediate aftermath of a motor vehicle accident, including a motorcycle or truck accident, it is important that you communicate with insurance companies, see a doctor, and gather evidence and documents to support your case. Unless you plan on taking on each of these responsibilities while recovering from your injuries, it is critical to consult with a knowledgeable personal injury lawyer.
Premises Liability Cases
Arizona’s premises liability laws are in place to hold property owners accountable for any injuries that might occur on their property as a result of their negligence. Property and business owners have a responsibility to keep their properties safe for visitors and customers alike. A premises liability case may include a slip and fall event, negligent security ramifications, or even a dog bite. To secure your best chance at compensation for the injuries you sustained on someone else’s property, you should hire a personal injury lawyer.
Workplace Accidents
A workplace accident can lead to severe, life-changing injuries. Under most circumstances, workplace injuries can trigger workers’ compensation benefits, which may be crucial in providing care and time for your recovery. One of the most important steps you can take after a workplace accident is to secure representation from a personal injury lawyer to help you review your case and file a claim for compensation.
Wrongful Death Claims
Dealing with the fallout of a death that occurred due to someone else’s recklessness or negligence is one of the most difficult situations you may ever have to handle. Fortunately, with Gillespie, Shields & Taylor, you won’t need to face this difficult time on your own. We can help you hold the right people accountable for what happened to your loved one and ensure you receive fair compensation for the damages caused. No amount of money will ever replace your loved one, but we can help you as you work to compensate for the loss you’ve experienced.
Steps to Take After a Personal Injury in Phoenix
Depending on the exact nature of your accident, you may want to take certain steps to prioritize your immediate safety, preserve your health, and protect your claim. These steps can seem daunting, especially if you have been severely injured as a result of someone else’s negligent behavior. However, calling a personal injury attorney as soon as possible can help you ensure that you leave no box unchecked after the incident.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
As soon as you realize that you are injured, the very first thing you should do is seek medical attention. Above all, seeking medical treatment can help relieve your pain, prevent lasting damage, and provide other health benefits associated with the medical attention you need. In addition, developing an established medical record of your injury can go a long way toward helping your case.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer
As soon as you feel you are ready to begin pursuing legal action against the negligent party who caused your injury, you should reach out to an experienced personal injury lawyer. The legal team at Gillespie, Shields & Taylor can offer you personalized legal assistance, years of personal injury experience, and significant help navigating legal complexities and pitfalls. Our attorneys can help you achieve each of the following steps in this list while you recuperate from your injuries.
Document Evidence and Witnesses
The more solid evidence you have that proves your version of events, the stronger your chances of succeeding in your personal injury case. If possible, document the scene of your injury and get the contact information of any witnesses who saw what happened and are willing to help you with a statement. Take photos of your injuries, the scene of the accident, and anything you feel may be significant. If you are embarking upon this step after the fact, your attorney can help you interview witnesses, request documentation from entities like property owners, police, and security cameras, and compile that evidence to support your claim.
File an Official Report
It is vital to your case that you file an official police report after the accident, especially after a motor vehicle accident. In Arizona, if the accident results in injuries, significant property damage, or death, you are legally required to involve the police. The responding officer will create a report that is accessible to you as you face your personal injury case. In addition, if you are facing a premises liability case where you were injured on somebody else’s property, you must notify the property owner or property manager as soon as possible.
Keep Records of All Expenses
Your ultimate goal in a personal injury case is to receive adequate financial compensation that covers the damages caused by your injuries. In order to achieve full compensation, it is important that you keep a record of all the expenses you have incurred as a result of your injury. This typically includes invoices for medical bills, prescription medications, transportation, lost wages, and more. Make sure you track the cost of ongoing treatment, such as physical therapy.
Avoid Speaking to Insurance Adjusters Alone
You are not legally required to speak to any insurance adjusters. In fact, it is recommended that you do not do so. If an insurance adjuster tries to reach out to you to get a statement, you should either advise them to speak to your lawyer or request that your lawyer handle all communication from your and the other party’s insurance companies. Your lawyer can deal with the insurance companies on your behalf and prevent unfair settlements.
Follow Your Doctor’s Advice
In the days and weeks after you’ve spoken to your doctor about your injury, it is vital that you follow the treatment plan they have provided. Take any medication they give you, go to all follow-up appointments, and follow their advice. Failing to participate in your treatment can seriously damage your case. If an insurance adjuster discovers that you aren’t following your medical plan, they may attempt to reduce your coverage and downplay the extent of your injuries.
Preserve Evidence Related to the Incident
After the initial scene has been processed, it is critical that you continue to preserve any other evidence related to the incident. Your attorney, your insurance company, or even the judge may need to review the evidence. Avoid having items fixed or replaced until you consult with your lawyer. Preserving the actual damaged items, such as a broken bicycle frame involved in a vehicular accident, can sometimes help your case. You may want to consider asking your lawyer for advice regarding where to keep the evidence until it is needed in court.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Cases
It’s understandable to have a number of important questions about your case, especially if this is your first time dealing with a personal injury claim. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we’ve handled regarding personal injury cases in Arizona.
Why Gillespie, Shields & Taylor Stands Out in Phoenix
Our firm stands out in Phoenix thanks to a considerable amount of experience not just in practicing law but in promoting community welfare and prioritizing relationships with our clients. You can trust Gillespie, Shields & Taylor to represent your interests and devote our knowledge and compassion to handle your case with care.
Local Knowledge of Phoenix Courts and Laws
Our group of seasoned attorneys has intensive knowledge of local Phoenix courts and laws that can be truly beneficial to our clients. It’s important to secure representation from an attorney who knows the area and the inner workings of its court system. Familiarity and experience are important.
Proven Client Satisfaction
We pride ourselves on maintaining relationships with clients and prioritizing client satisfaction. We have assisted many in our community with pursuing personal injury claims just like yours. We’ve helped them achieve the fair outcomes they deserved and we know how to help you succeed, too.
Schedule a Consultation With Gillespie Shields Today
Gillespie, Shields & Taylor is a seasoned personal injury law firm in Arizona. You can trust our Phoenix-area attorneys for quality legal advice, personalized legal help, and a caring, compassionate staff who appreciate your struggles during this difficult time. Take the first step toward receiving fair compensation for your damages and request a consultation with our civil law attorneys. Act quickly, as time can be a critical factor in personal injury cases.
The personal injury attorneys at Gillespie, Shields & Taylor have an extensive toolkit to help you pursue compensation in your personal injury case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.
*Editor’s Note: This article was originally published Jan 9, 2023 and has been updated February 26, 2025
Sources:
- Arizona Revised Statutes. (n.d.). § 28-674 – Traffic accident reports; required information; violation; classification. Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved from https://www.azleg.gov/ars/28/00674.htm
- Arizona Revised Statutes. (n.d.). § 33-1551 – Arizona residential landlord and tenant act. Arizona State Legislature. Retrieved from https://www.azleg.gov/ars/33/01551.htm
Founder, Owner, and Family Law Attorney
Those who know DeeAn Gillespie Strub can describe her in three words: caring, courageous, and competent. Growing up as the oldest of nine children, DeeAn quickly learned leadership and resourcefulness. With both parents as educators, she also acquired a love of learning, and from her mathematician, father learned to think analytically. Following in her parents’ footsteps, her first career step was to become a teacher. It was not long before she determined she could use her teaching skills most effectively in a different arena: the law. She wanted to make a difference for people.