Personal Injury FAQ

To have a valid personal injury claim, you need to establish that another party was negligent, that their negligence caused your injuries, and that you suffered damages as a result. Generally, if you suffered injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you probably have a case worth pursuing.

However, some personal injury cases might not be worth litigating because of the extreme costs associated with bringing the claim or the risks associated with the claim.

Thus, it is important to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to explore your options and find the best route for your case.

It’s advisable to consult with an attorney before speaking to the insurance company. The attorney can help protect your rights and guide you in dealing with insurance adjusters. An experienced attorney can help you avoid the many pitfalls that arise in interacting with insurance companies and maximize your insurance payout.

It is highly recommended that you hire a lawyer for your personal injury claim. Your financial well-being could be at stake and your odds of obtaining the full amount of compensation will drastically increase with the help of a legal professional.

Our firm has a 99% success rate and our reputation for results shows that we know how to get our clients the maximum compensation for their claims.

Many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if you receive compensation. This fee is typically a percentage of the settlement or court award and ranges from 33-1/3% to 45%.

Gage Mathers Law Group does not charge fees unless you collect compensation.

Regardless of your memory and perspective of an incident, you might not be at fault or share the blame. A lawyer can do a full evaluation of the accident. Arizona factors fault into personal injury cases, but insurance companies usually try to maximize blame to avoid paying out. A professional personal injury lawyer will know how to minimize fault while pursuing your recovery.

Damages in a personal injury case may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and, in some cases, punitive damages for particularly egregious conduct. Economic damages are easy to value, but non-economic damages are difficult to put a dollar amount on. Additionally, many other factors influence the value of your claim.

How is the value of my personal injury claim determined? Check out our Free Settlement Calculator to see how your claim might be valued.

Damage recovery amounts vary case-by-case, but here is a sampling of some of our results.

Not necessarily. Many personal injury cases are resolved through negotiations and settlements. The vast majority of claims are settled before needing to file a lawsuit. However, if a fair settlement cannot be reached, filing a lawsuit and going to court may be necessary.

Don’t be dismayed if your claim is not settled before filing a lawsuit. Most cases settle before the trial begins, often after some discovery is conducted.

A case is most likely to go to trial when important facts are in dispute or when there’s a contested legal issue. The more strategically you build your case, and the stronger your evidence, the more likely it is that your case will settle before trial. If your case is in the minority of cases that go to trial, your attorney can help prepare you for what to expect.

The time limit for filing a personal injury lawsuit is called the statute of limitations. It’s crucial to file within this timeframe to preserve your right to legal action.

The limits vary by state and, sometimes, by the nature of the claim. In Arizona, you generally have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit; however, there are some circumstances where you might have as little as one year to file a lawsuit, and other circumstances where you must follow specific administrative steps within 180 days of your accident. Failure to comply with the time limits will result in you losing your right to pursue compensation. Therefore, it is highly recommended you contact an attorney as early as possible after an injury occurs.

After an accident, seek medical attention, document the scene, gather contact information of witnesses, report the incident to the relevant authorities, and consult with a personal injury attorney as soon as possible to understand your options.

We handle virtually all types of injury claims.  Some common types of personal injury claims include:

1. Car Accidents: Injuries resulting from collisions involving cars, trucks, motorcycles, or other vehicles.
2. Slip and Fall Injuries: Accidents that occur due to unsafe conditions on someone else’s property, such as slippery floors, uneven surfaces, or inadequate maintenance.
3. Medical Malpractice: Injury claims arising from negligence or mistakes by health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, or hospitals.
4. Product Liability: Injuries caused by defective or dangerous products. This can include faulty design, manufacturing defects, or inadequate warnings.
5. Dog Bites: Injuries caused by dog attacks, where the owner may be held liable for the actions of their pet.
6. Premises Liability: Injuries that occur on someone else’s property due to unsafe conditions, such as inadequate security, poor maintenance, or hazardous conditions.
7. Defamation: Harm caused by false statements that damage a person’s reputation, either spoken (slander) or written (libel).
8. Assault and Battery: Injuries resulting from intentional harmful acts, which may lead to both criminal charges and civil claims for damages.
9. Wrongful Death: Claims filed by the surviving family members of a person who has died due to the negligence or intentional actions of another person.
10. Nursing Home Abuse: Injuries or harm suffered by residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities due to neglect, abuse, or inadequate care.
11. Construction Accidents: Injuries sustained on construction sites, often involving falls, equipment malfunctions, or other hazards.
12. Intentional Torts: Injuries resulting from intentional wrongdoing, such as assault, battery, false imprisonment, or intentional infliction of emotional distress.
13. Boating Accidents: Injuries occurring in accidents involving boats or other watercraft.
14. Airplane Accidents / Helicopter Accidents: Injuries resulting from plane crashes, helicopter crashes, or aviation-related incidents.

Read more about our practice areas and what personal injury lawyers do.

Regardless of how you were injured, if someone else is responsible for your injuries then contact us for a free consultation.