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Frequently Asked Questions for Personal Injury Attorneys

November 10, 2017

Do I need an attorney to handle this?

This answer depends on a number of factors. The primary factor is typically the severity of your injuries. For example, in a car accident, if you suffered minor injuries that require little to no medical treatment and do not require emergency room treatment, and you only had minor property damage, you may not need an attorney. In these cases, the insurance companies will likely, but not always, be willing to quickly settle your claim.  In cases like this, in may not be necessary to pay an attorney to resolve your claim (although we always encourage you to call us to determine if you need an attorney – we take these calls all of the time).

On the other hand, if you suffer injures where emergency room care is necessary due to the negligence of another, hiring an attorney is likely in your best interest. As Arizona personal injury attorneys, our Torgenson Law legal team is devoted to fighting for injured people. We are armed with the law and knowledge to fight insurance companies who purposely undervalue personal injury claims and take advantage of personal injury victims. Additionally, if the circumstances surrounding your injuries are complex, an attorney is vital for analyzing your case and the law to establish liability on another party. Regardless of your injuries or the circumstances surrounding your claims, hiring an honest, hard-working, and experienced personal injury attorney will add value to your claim. We, at Torgenson Law, are confident in our abilities to satisfy your needs.

When in doubt, give us a call and we will shoot it to you straight.  If you need us, we are ready.  If you may do better without us, we will let you know that, too.  

How much is your fee?

As a personal injury firm, our fee at Torgenson Law is contingent on the outcome of your settlement or verdict. That is to say, if no recovery is made on your claims, you will not be charged a dime for our legal services. Moreover, we do not charge by the hour, so there is no incentive for us to drag out your case for an unreasonable number of months or years. Instead, our goal is to ensure you are properly compensated for your injuries in an effective and efficient manner through our superior legal skills. Once your claims are settled to your satisfaction, our fee is generally 33% of the total settlement amount.

What is a “lien” on my personal injury case?

As a general matter, a lien—in the personal injury context—is a third party’s legal right to a portion of the settlement proceeds. In personal injury cases, liens typically arise when a personal injury victim receives medical treatment that he or she cannot financially afford. Arizona law and/or an agreement between the victim and the medical provider may impose a duty on the injured party to repay his or her healthcare providers for their medical services through any personal injury settlement proceeds. Obviously, this can decrease the ultimate benefit of your settlement outcome.

Nonetheless, having liens on your personal injury claims does not automatically mean you will walk away with nothing. Our goal in a personal injury case is to ensure that you are are adequately compensated for your injuries. As experienced personal injury attorneys, we, at Torgenson Law, are skilled when it comes to negotiating with lienholders or otherwise challenging their rights to your settlement proceeds. Ultimately, we are confident in our abilities to make you whole again by doing what is necessary to put money in your pocket.

How much is my case worth?

Every personal injury case varies in terms of value. Ultimately, the value of any one personal injury case is determined by the “damages” or monetary value of your injuries. This is calculated by reviewing the costs of your past, present, and future medical treatment, as well as any mental or physical pain and suffering you have endured as a result of the injury. Also, if your injury forced you to miss time at work, your lost wages will increase the total value of your claim. Our legal team at Torgenson Law has handled hundreds of personal injury cases. We are prepared to do the necessary leg work to confirm the value of your claims, so you will receive adequate compensation for your losses.

Who pays my medical bills?

The at-fault person’s insurance company will ultimately be responsible for paying your bills.  As your Arizona personal injury attorney, we can communicate with the medical providers to let them know that your claim is pending and that they should hold off on collection efforts.  At the end of the case, your bills will be paid from the settlement if you so choose (no lien) and automatically in some cases (lien).

What type of insurance should I have?  

As Phoenix personal injury attorneys, our team will do everything we can to fight for your legal rights. However, you must also remain proactive to ensure that you are appropriately compensated by carrying the necessary motorist insurance. Specifically, you should carry both Uninsured Motorist Coverage (UM) and Underinsured Motorist Coverage (UIM). About 10% of all Arizona drivers carry no car insurance. On top of that, many drivers that do have car insurance maintain the minimum $15,000.00 policy in Arizona. Should an uninsured or an underinsured motorist injure you in a car crash, it is unlikely that you will be compensated to the full extent of your medical bills and pain and suffering unless you have UM and UIM motorist coverage. Therefore, it is vital that you purchase UM and UIM plans to protect you and your family in such cases.  At Torgenson Law, we provide anyone an insurance review, free of charge.  You just send us your declaration pages and we will suggest the types of insurance you need to have.  Just give us a call to set it up.  (602) 726-0747

Will I work with the attorney directly?  

Here, at Torgenson Law, we our like family to one another. If you require our legal expertise, you become a part of the Torgenson family as well. Unlike large law firms, we, at Torgenson Law work intimately with each of our clients to resolve their claims. Our attorney constantly sends follow-up emails and urges our clients to maintain communication with us, so we can provide more effective legal representation.  We have your back.  

Will you return my calls?

At Torgenson Law, we value open and honest communication with our clients. We welcome and encourage emails, telephone calls, and all forms of communication, so that you feel comfortable and reassured that your case is in good hands. We understand the stress and anxiety associated with personal injury claims. Therefore, our legal team is swift in responding to each of your questions and concerns while proactively providing you consistent updates on your case.