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5 Important Questions to Ask a Pasadena Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring

Edward Gates by Edward Gates
July 5, 2025
5 Important Questions to Ask a Pasadena Personal Injury Lawyer Before Hiring
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If you were hurt in an accident in Pasadena and it wasn’t your fault, hiring the right lawyer can make a big difference. Medical bills can add up fast, and dealing with insurance companies can be stressful. The attorney you choose should be someone you trust to handle your case and help you get fair compensation. To feel confident in your choice, it’s important to ask a few key questions before hiring anyone. If you’re looking for a Pasadena personal injury lawyer, these questions will help you find someone who’s a good fit.

How Long Have You Been Handling Cases Like Mine?

You want a lawyer who knows what they’re doing—especially with cases like yours. There’s a big difference between a car crash and a slip-and-fall or dog bite. Ask if the lawyer has handled cases that are similar to yours and what the results were.

You should also ask if they’ve ever taken a case like yours to court. Some lawyers only settle cases and don’t actually go to trial. If your case does go to court, you’ll want someone with experience on your side. A lawyer with a solid track record will know how to deal with insurance companies and fight for what you’re owed.

How Do You Charge, and Will I Have to Pay Anything Upfront?

Most personal injury lawyers don’t ask for money up front. Instead, they take a percentage of whatever money they help you win. But not every lawyer handles this the same way, so it’s smart to ask exactly how their fees work.

Find out what percentage they take if you win and whether there are any other costs, like paying for expert witnesses or filing documents. Ask if those costs come out of your pocket or are taken from the final settlement. You don’t want any surprises later on. A good lawyer will explain everything clearly and give you a written agreement.

Will You Be the One Working on My Case?

Sometimes the person you talk to at your consultation isn’t the one who ends up handling your case. At some law firms, your case might get passed off to a junior lawyer or assistant. That might be fine for some tasks, but you should know exactly who will be doing the work.

Ask if the lawyer you’re meeting with will be the one answering your questions, talking to the insurance company, and going to court if needed. Knowing who’s actually working on your case will help avoid confusion later.

What Do You Think About My Case?

A good lawyer should be able to give you an honest opinion after hearing the facts. Ask what they think your case is worth, what problems they see, and how strong it is overall. No one can promise a specific result, but they should be able to explain what to expect.

Pay attention to the kinds of questions the lawyer asks you. Are they really listening? Are they asking for details about what happened, what kind of injuries you have, and whether there were any witnesses? This will give you a sense of how much effort they’ll put into your case.

What Should I Expect as My Case Moves Forward?

You’ll want to know what’s coming next and how long things will take. Personal injury cases can sometimes take months, even longer, depending on the details. A helpful lawyer will walk you through the steps so you know what to expect.

Here are a few good questions to ask:

  • How long will my case take?
  • Will it settle or go to court?
  • How often will I hear from you?
  • What do you need from me?
  • Is there anything I should avoid doing right now?

Getting clear answers up front can help you feel more in control during a stressful time.

Talk to a Pasadena Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Choosing the right lawyer can help you get the money you need to recover and move on. These questions are a good place to start if you’re meeting with someone for the first time. A trusted Pasadena personal injury lawyer can explain your options, protect your rights, and work to get you the best result possible. If you’re ready to take the next step, set up a free consultation today and find out how they can help.

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Edward Gates

Edward Gates

Edward “Eddie” Gates is a retired corporate attorney. When Eddie is not contributing to the American Justice System blog, he can be found on the lake fishing, or traveling with Betty, his wife of 20 years.

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Why Arizona’s Safe Passing Law Matters After a Bike Accident Cyclists in Arizona share the road with fast-moving vehicles daily, often placing their safety in the hands of motorists. While the open roads may offer freedom, they also come with serious risks when drivers fail to respect cyclists' space. Arizona's Safe Passing Law plays a vital role in determining fault and guiding compensation after a bicycle-related crash. Understanding this law becomes essential for anyone seeking the guidance of a bicycle accident lawyer in Phoenix. Safe passing regulations influence liability assessments, affect settlement negotiations, and impact how claims are litigated. Recognizing the law's practical implications allows injured cyclists to assert their rights more effectively. Overview of Arizona’s Safe Passing Requirements Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS) §28-735 outlines the Safe Passing Law, requiring motorists to allow a minimum of three feet of clearance when overtaking a bicycle. This rule applies whether the cyclist is in a designated bike lane or sharing the main roadway with other vehicles. The intent is clear: create a buffer that protects cyclists from sudden swerves, side mirrors, or unexpected road debris. The three-foot rule isn’t merely a guideline—it carries legal weight. Violating it constitutes a traffic offense and often signals negligence in the context of personal injury claims. The Law’s Role in Determining Driver Negligence When a collision involves a motorist and a cyclist, one of the first legal questions is whether the driver upheld their duty of care. Failure to provide the mandated clearance supports a finding of negligence, which becomes foundational to any injury claim. A bicycle accident lawyer in Phoenix will closely examine crash scene evidence—such as tire marks, vehicle position, and witness statements—to assess compliance with the Safe Passing Law. Proving that a driver violated this statute strengthens the injured cyclist’s argument and often influences how insurance adjusters value the claim. How Violations Influence Compensation Calculations Arizona follows a pure comparative negligence model, allowing injured parties to recover damages even if partially at fault. However, the percentage of fault assigned to each party directly impacts the financial recovery. When a motorist breaches the Safe Passing Law, that violation typically increases their share of responsibility. Demonstrating such misconduct may significantly shift the fault allocation, potentially increasing the injured cyclist’s compensation. Photographs, dash cam footage, and official citations all serve as evidence to show a breach of this duty. Importance of Scene Documentation and Witness Accounts After any bike accident, immediate documentation proves essential. Arizona’s Safe Passing Law is often interpreted based on distance, which can be challenging to measure accurately without proper evidence. Cyclists should attempt to gather details from witnesses, obtain police reports, and photograph road conditions if physically able. Legal teams use this information to create collision reconstructions and demonstrate how the driver encroached on the cyclist’s space. Because the law centers on proximity, even subtle lane deviations can establish liability. Witnesses who observed an unsafe pass become critical to affirming legal violations. Interplay Between Local Ordinances and State Law While ARS §28-735 applies statewide, cities like Phoenix may implement additional traffic rules that reinforce or expand safe passing protocols. In some cases, local regulations include stricter language or define more precise boundaries on shared roadways. Understanding the interaction between municipal codes and state law offers an advantage in personal injury litigation. Attorneys often reference both layers of regulation to present a comprehensive argument for liability. Local traffic citations further support claims of driver misconduct under both legal frameworks. Impact on Motorist Insurance Disputes Insurance carriers assess fault based on police reports, statutes, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. When drivers ignore the Safe Passing Law, they expose themselves to scrutiny not only from law enforcement but also from their insurers. Claims adjusters may attempt to minimize the severity of an infraction or question the cyclist's behavior. However, when clear evidence shows that a motorist failed to allow three feet of space, it becomes harder to dispute liability. Legal representatives utilize this leverage to challenge lowball offers and negotiate for fair settlements. Commercial Vehicles and Elevated Legal Expectations When delivery trucks, service vans, or rideshare vehicles collide with cyclists, the standards become even more stringent. Commercial drivers often receive specialized training and are expected to be thoroughly familiar with traffic laws and regulations. and regulations Violations of the Safe Passing Law involving commercial vehicles may trigger company liability or federal regulatory scrutiny. This elevates the legal stakes and provides injured cyclists with additional avenues for compensation. Corporate policies, driver logs, and internal training materials often become evidence in these cases. Preventable Harm and the Public Safety Argument Violations of the Safe Passing Law go beyond individual negligence; they represent a larger disregard for public safety. Arizona enacted the law to protect cyclists from serious and preventable harm. When motorists fail to follow it, the consequences are often catastrophic. Legal teams may incorporate this public safety aspect into their case strategy, especially when seeking punitive damages. Courts often consider whether a driver’s conduct showed a conscious disregard for others’ well-being. The Safe Passing Law provides a measurable benchmark for such assessments. Strategic Use of Safe Passing Law in Civil Claims For injured cyclists, the Safe Passing Law offers more than a safety guideline—it serves as a legal tool. Demonstrating that a motorist violated this statute provides substantial grounds for establishing fault, increasing claim value, and countering comparative negligence arguments. Thorough documentation, knowledgeable legal representation, and a clear understanding of the law's implications all contribute to stronger and more effective injury claims. After a bike crash, the path to recovery often depends on proving that the driver's actions failed to meet the standard set by Arizona's Safe Passing Law.

Why Arizona’s Safe Passing Law Matters After a Bike Accident

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