I have been hurt, what should I do first?
Your first step after being injured is to get needed medical attention. If you need to, go to the Emergency Room, see your primary care provider, or urgent care center right away. Getting your injuries diagnosed and stabilized is your first priority. In situations where you don’t have insurance coverage, contact our offices and we will discuss how we can help you get the care you need right away.
What information and evidence do I need to gather about the accident?
Collect the information of all other people involved in the accident including insurance cards and driver’s licenses. If there are witnesses to the accident, their contact information is also helpful. If your injuries are stable and you are able to do so safely, take photographs of where the accident happened, any vehicles involved, and visible injuries you sustained (example: cuts, stiches, bumps, bruises, and abrasions). If your injuries are such that you cannot collect the above information right away, do not worry. When we take you on as a client, we will do the leg work for you and collect this as well as other evidence related to your claim.
Should I talk to the other side’s insurance company?
After exchanging information at the scene of the accident, we recommend that you NOT talk with the adverse party's insurance company. It is not uncommon that these insurance companies will start contacting you even on the day of the accident. Let us guide you through the process of talking to the adverse party or their insurance company. Oftentimes, the full scope of your physical injuries are not clear at this early stage. Therefore, it is best not to give any statements without the advice of our office.
How much is this going to cost?
Our personal injury cases are handled on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not get paid anything unless we recover for you. Personal injury cases can cost tens of thousands of dollars to prosecute. We advance all costs. It is important that you select a firm like Arthofer & Tonkin Law Offices that has the resources to advance litigation costs as necessary. Once your case settles, our office is compensated out of the settlement proceeds. If we don’t recover for you, you owe us nothing. Your initial consultation with our office is free. Call our office today for an appointment.
What should I do about social media?
In today’s world it seems like everyone from students to senior citizens uses some sort of social media platform. While social media can be a fun way to stay connected with friends and family, it is no place for information about your personal injury claim. Do not make comments or post pictures about your personal injury matter. Regardless of the settings you select on your social media accounts, the information you put out there is not “private” and may be subject to discovery and used against you by the adverse side in litigation. Moreover, there are other issues and topics that you should avoid on social media that we can discuss with you once our office undertakes your representation.
What is my case worth?
Any attorney who would attempt to predict the value of your case immediately after your injury occurred should be avoided. The nature and scope of your injuries and damages are not knowable immediately after the accident. Our primary focus at the outset is to help you recover from your injuries. We will then vigorously advance your claim, and if necessary, litigate on your behalf. As this process unfolds, we will keep you closely advised every step of the way and discuss with you what is fair compensation for your case.
Can you help me get medical treatment?
If you do not have insurance or you need to see a medical professional who is not covered by your insurance plan, we can frequently arrange for you to get medical care on a lien basis. The providers who care for you in this fashion agree to wait to be paid by you until your case settles.
Why should I hire your office?
We have said it before but it bears repeating, you are not just another face in the crowd with our office. We focus our practice on treating our clients like trusted friends and obtaining meaningful results for them. It is our goal to provide you with excellent representation and wise advice so you can be fairly compensated for your injuries.
Who will handle my case?
Your case will be handled in house by an attorney. While we have excellent support staff including paralegals and legal assistants, all cases are managed and your substantive interactions with this office will be between you and an attorney of this firm.
What else do I need to know?
The intricacies of each personal injury case warrant a face to face sit down between you and an attorney in our office. Your initial consultation is free and there is no obligation. If necessary, we come to you. Let us discuss with you how our office is best suited to help you through this difficult time.
