FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Because we are often asked the following questions, we have provided some general answers that may be helpful to you.

  1. What types of cases does Tobler Law handle?
  2. Why should I hire a personal injury attorney?
  3. Why should I hire Tobler Law ?
  4. Does Tobler Law make home and hospital visits?
  5. What is the cost for hiring a personal injury lawyer?
  6. Can Tobler Law refer me to a medical provider?
  7. Will my bills be paid?
  8. How long will my case take?
  9. What if the faulty driver in an automobile accident has no insurance?
  10. What can I do to help with my case?

1. What types of cases does Tobler Law handle?

Tobler Law is a personal injury law firm. We specialize in accident and injury law, representing people who have been injured through someone else’s negligence. Unfortunately, there is a wide variety of ways in which people are injured through negligence. If you have been hurt, and we can prove another person’s negligence caused your injury, we can

Below is a list of some of the most common ways in which people are injured. We handle these types of cases all the time. Click on a practice area to learn more about it. If you have a question about whether we can represent you for your type of injury, give us a call.

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2. Why should I hire a personal injury lawyer?

When someone else causes you injury, you have a right to be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and other related expenses. An accident and injury attorney will be able to help you receive maximum compensation for all of the above.

An attorney who specializes in accident and injury law will better be able to determine the value of your claim. Further, he or she will have the resources and experience to investigate the accident, gather the necessary records and evidence, obtain essential expert witnesses, and negotiate with insurance companies or opposing counsel. An attorney can also file a lawsuit and litigate on your behalf if the opposing party is unreasonable and unwilling to settle.

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3. Why should I hire Tobler Law?

Tobler Law focuses exclusively on accident and injury law. Successfully serving Arizona since 1972, our team of attorneys, paralegals, and assorted staff is highly experienced and knowledgeable in representing clients who have been harmed through the fault of others. We work together to get you the help that you need and the compensation that you deserve.

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4. Does Tobler Law make home and hospital visits?

Yes. Our personal injury lawyers make home and hospital visits because we understand that traveling may be very difficult, if not impossible when you are seriously injured.

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5. What will hiring a personal lawyer cost?

Generally, Tobler Law works on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay anything to us up front. Our fee is based on a percentage of what we are able to recover for you. If we do not win your case, then we receive no fee. Thus, it is in our best interest to recover as much as possible for you.

Our contingency fee percentage is one-third of the total settlement. This percentage is common among most personal injury lawyers. This percentage may generally be increased for litigation or medical malpractice cases because the difficulty of proving the case and the risk of going to trial is greater.

Clients are also responsible for costs. These costs include, but are not limited to, the fee for obtaining medical records, police reports, and expert opinions. Tobler Law will advance some costs. For example, we will pay upfront to obtain medical records, police reports, and expert opinions. Our clients do not have to pay anything upfront. These costs will be reimbursed from the result of the settlement.

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6. Can Tobler Law refer me to a medical provider?

Tobler Law has a great working relationship with many medical providers throughout the Phoenix area. We will try to refer you to a medical provider located near you. Often, we can refer you to someone who will treat you on a lien basis. This means you won’t have to pay for your medical care until you are compensated for your injury. However, if you are already under the care of a medical provider, we are happy to work with him or her too.

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7. Will my bills be paid?

Yes. At Tobler Law we do everything possible to make sure that your bills get paid. All of your past and future medical bills will be included in our claim against your insurance company. Additionally we will include any non-medical bills that you have incurred as a result of your injury. For example, after your injury, you may have to hire someone to do work that you would normally do yourself. We will also work with your medical providers to try to prevent them from billing you until your case is settled.

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8. How long will my case take?

The time it takes to settle or litigate an accident and injury case depends upon the complexity of the case and the extent of the injuries. Generally, we wait until a client is finished being treated before we begin negotiating with the insurance company. We want to make sure that all of your medical expenses, other bills, and pain and suffering are included in your claim.

After we begin negotiating, the case may settle very quickly, i.e. within two to three months. However, if your case is very complex or the opposing side is unwilling to settle, then we may have to file suit, which can extend the time involved.

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9. What if the faulty driver in an automobile accident has no insurance?

Sometimes, when a faulty party has little or no insurance and no available assets of his or her own, he or she may be covered under another’s insurance policy. Or, if the accident occurred during the scope of the faulty party’s employment, than the employer may be responsible. Your attorney will be able to help you determine if either of the above is the case.

Your own insurance policy may also contain under-insured or uninsured coverage. In which case, your own insurance will compensate you for the damages caused by others. Again, your attorney will be able to help you with these issues.

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10. What can I do to help my case?

Here are some EASY STEPS to help you WIN YOUR CASE and get the most compensation for your injuries.

  • Get the names of any witnesses. If there are any witnesses to your accident or injury, get their names, addresses, and phone numbers. This contact information will enable your lawyer to contact them later and use them for witness statements to help prove your case
  • Take photographs as soon as possible. Photograph your injury, any damaged property, the location of the accident, and anything else that might be useful in proving your claim. Such photographs can be extremely beneficial in conveying the extent of your injuries or revealing the cause of the accident or injury.
  • Seek medical treatment immediately. Many insurance companies will use the fact that a person waited to get treatment as an indication that he or she was not really hurt. In reality, many injuries do not manifest themselves until sometime after an accident actually occurs. Even minor soreness can be an indication of a more serious injury. It is to your benefit to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Getting treatment immediately will help us establish the severity of your injuries. We can always provide you with a referral.
  • Communicate with your medical provider. The number one thing that insurance companies consider when they evaluate your claim is your medical records. Therefore, it is extremely important that you communicate the full extent of your injuries to your medical provider. At each visit, list all your injuries from head to toe. For example, don’t forget to mention your injured wrist, just because your back hurts more on the day of the appointment. Let your doctor know if your injuries are affecting your ability to work or to participate in your normal daily activities. If any of your injuries are not getting better, let your doctor know so that he or she can have appropriate tests done or refer you to an appropriate specialist. Communicating with your medical providers not only helps document your injury, but it will also help your medical providers treat you and get you better!
  • Do not create gaps in your medical treatment. If you stop treatment for a time and then go back, the insurance company will argue that the later treatment is for an unrelated injury or they will argue that your injury is not very serious. So, make sure to go to all your appointments and receive treatment until you fully recover. If you are not getting better, let your medical provider know so that he or she can refer you to a specialist.
  • Use your health insurance, if you have it. If you have health insurance, it is usually to your benefit to use it. If your health insurance pays for your medical bills, then more of the compensation we obtain from the insurance company can go to you instead of paying for your medical bills. Some health insurance companies will claim a right to be paid back, but Arizona law limits their ability to do so. However, if you don’t have health insurance, let us know so we can refer you to a medical provider who will treat you on a lien basis.
  • Don’t talk to the insurance company or accept any checks. If an insurance adjuster calls you, tell him you have a lawyer and that all communication should go through your lawyer. An insurance company may want to take statements from you, which can later be used against you. We will prepare you for and be present at any such recorded statement, so that the truth gets told and you are not misled. Furthermore, don’t accept any checks or other forms of payment from the insurance company for your personal injury. Doing so may prevent you from recovering any additional settlement money.
  • Document what occurred. Write down how the accident or injury occurred while your memory is still fresh. Additionally, make detailed timelines of the events occurring before and afterwards and document your pain and suffering. However, be sure to address such writings to your attorney so that it will remain privileged and confidential. Also write down any missed work and lost wages, and ask your employer for a verification letter.
  • Keep your lawyer informed. Keep your lawyer up-to-date on your treatment status. If you are referred to another doctor, let your lawyer know. This way, records can be requested early so your settlement is not delayed and we won’t miss any important detail relating to your claim. Also, if you have any questions or concerns, let us know immediately so we can answer them or otherwise appropriately assist you. Lastly, tell us if your contact information changes, because there may be times when we need to reach you immediately.

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If you would like additional information or if you have a question that we haven’t answered, please call us at 480-898-9700 or use our online form. One of our personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk to you over the phone or in person. If you are unable to travel, a personal injury lawyer can visit you in the hospital or at home.