Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why Should I call Tanner and Romary to handle my case?
A: While we understand that there are many lawyers available for consultation, our firm prides itself on its experience and personal attention. Our clients not only get experienced advocates who help them get the best possible result on their case, the client is made to feel comfortable and welcome in the office by the attorneys and staff which helps them feel relaxed, especially during a time that is traumatic and life changing. Because our firm is in a small albeit growing town, it is important that local people can retain a lawyer without having to travel to the big city of Raleigh who can provide the representation and comfort level necessary to make you proud of your choice in a law firm and one you can refer your friends and family to when necessary.
Q: What is a contingency fee and how should that determine how I choose my lawyer.
A: When representing an employee hurt at work or someone injured in an automobile accident, all of our work is done on a contingency fee which means the lawyer is not paid unless their is a recovery via a settlement accepted by the client or a jury verdict should the case go to trial. Workers Compensation cases are handled on a 25% contingency fee which must be approved by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. This percentage typically is based on a permanent injury rating or "clincher". Automobile or other Personal Injury Cases are handled on a sliding scale with the contingency fee based on a percentage of the agreed upon total settlement with the insurance company. They range from 10% to 30% for non litigated cases. Litigated personal injury cases are 33 1/3% and Medical Malpractice Cases are typically 40%.
Call our office to discuss any concerns about our fees. Prior to taking on a case, the client will have all aspects of the fee explained to them. While the amount of attorneys fees charged are important when choosing a lawyer, it is equally important to retain a lawyer who you feel is experienced and can relate to your issues but who will also be honest with you about the pros and cons of your case while fighting for you every step of the way.
Q: Will I be responsible for expenses in addition to the attorneys fees I pay when hiring a lawyer to handle my case?
A: In most Personal Injury cases you will have additional expenses over and above the fee you pay to your attorney. Since most cases resolve without litigation these costs are minimal and typically involve the costs to obtain a clients medical records or postage which are costs the client would incur if they handled the case on their own. These costs are advanced by our office and we only ask them to be reimbursed should your case be settled or a jury verdict is returned. You will not get a big bill for expenses at the end of your case which makes your settlement seem less reasonable and all of them will be discussed with you so you know who has to be paid and you know where all the money is going before you choose to settle. These additional costs can be significantly more expensive if you decide to litigate your case and these significant expenses will not be incurred without your permission and without a discussion of the pros and cons of spending these costs in the litigation arena. Call our office if you have any questions about expenses you may have in a case.
Q: How long does it take a case to resolve once I hire Tanner and Romary to handle my case.
A: Every case is different. How a case resolves depends on the facts of the case, the nature of the injuries, and the insurance company involved. Typically a case cannot resolve until you have been released from treatment with all your doctors at maximum medical improvement. If you go the emergency room the day of the accident and that is your only medical treatment, your case will typically resolve a lot sooner then someone who will be treating and recovering from their injuries for a year. Once you are released from treatment, all of the damages related to your case is organized into a settlement brochure that is sent to the insurance company for review. Some insurance companies make their positions known pretty quickly while others may respond a little slower. Our office makes sure your case is moved forward efficiently, but it is important not to compare individual cases to each other. How your neighbors personal injury case resolved should not be compared to how your case is resolved. Call our office if you want to discuss how a case is handled from beginning to end and the time frame involved.
Q: Can I resolve my property damage claim while I am still recovering from my injuries and will Tanner and Romary help me resolve my property damage claim?
A: Your property damage claim and your injury claim will typically be handled separately by an insurance company if they are not disputing who is at fault in the accident. Once liability has been accepted by the other drivers insurance company, they will pay to have your car repaired or pay you the value of your totaled vehicle early in the process. You can resolve these claims and still have your injury claim open so you want to get the property damage claim handled as soon after the accident as possible to prevent further delays or problems you may face by not having a car.
Our office handles all aspects of our clients property damage claims free of charge as long as litigation is not required. This can range from help getting the adjusters to move forward with the claim to depreciation to processing the total loss paperwork. One of the frustrations people face that makes them consider an attorney is how their property damage claim is being handled by the insurance company. If you are facing these frustrations, call our office so Jeremy or Peter can explain what you need to do.
Q: How soon after my accident should I call a lawyer and does it cost any money to talk to a lawyer even if I choose not to hire one?
A: Even if you dont think you need a lawyer, or not sure you want to hire one, calling a lawyers office to get some initial advice can be very important when deciding how to handle your claim. Remember you are dealing with trained insurance adjusters who want or require certain information from you early on in the process, some of which can help them determine how they will handle your claim. By calling a lawyer early on in the process, you can get initial advice on North Carolina law regarding liability, your options regarding total loss or repairs to your car, and whether or not to give recorded statements or sign authorizations to release information to an insurance adjuster. You can also discuss options regarding your medical bills and the various types of insurance involved in the case as well as many other important factors about your case.
Even if you choose not to hire a lawyer, it does not cost you anything for a free consultation in person or over the phone at Tanner and Romary, P.A.
Q: If I hire Tanner and Romary, will they start suing people?
A: Once you retain our firm to handle your case, all efforts are made to settle the claim without litigation. Most cases resolve without litigation once the client has finished treatment and we have a chance to negotiate a settlement with the insurance adjuster. If your claim has been denied or you do not like the insurance companies offer to settle your claim, we will have to sue the person who caused your injuries in order to have a chance at a recovery. The lawsuit can be filed soon after the accident or within the applicable statute of limitations. Each case is different so contact us to discuss your options as we do not file lawsuits without the clients consent after a full explanation regarding the litigation process.
Q: I was hurt in an accident and I need medical care and I have no way to pay for it. What do I do?
A: Getting hurt in an accident and not having a way to pay for medical care can be very frustrating. However there are options. While many medical providers refuse to see patients who were hurt in automobile accidents or require pre payment, there are many medical providers that will provide treatment with a promise to pay their bill after the case resolves. Either way, you do not want to delay treatment that you need because you are worried about paying for it as these gaps in treatment make cases harder to resolve. If this is your situation, call our office so we can discuss possible options with you.
Q: My doctors say I am better and no longer want to see me, but I am still in pain, what do I do?
A: Just because your doctors have released you, you do not have to immediately try to settle your case. We often advise our clients who are released from their doctors care without an indication of their injury being permanent, to wait and see how they do before moving forward. If the pain does not improve and you need to return to your doctor, your case is still open and you can get the treatment you need. If your pain improves over time, you will feel comfortable moving forward to try and resolve your case at a later date. We discuss these options with our clients once they have been released from their doctors care depending on the nature of their injuries. Call our office to discuss these issues.
A: While we understand that there are many lawyers available for consultation, our firm prides itself on its experience and personal attention. Our clients not only get experienced advocates who help them get the best possible result on their case, the client is made to feel comfortable and welcome in the office by the attorneys and staff which helps them feel relaxed, especially during a time that is traumatic and life changing. Because our firm is in a small albeit growing town, it is important that local people can retain a lawyer without having to travel to the big city of Raleigh who can provide the representation and comfort level necessary to make you proud of your choice in a law firm and one you can refer your friends and family to when necessary.
Q: What is a contingency fee and how should that determine how I choose my lawyer.
A: When representing an employee hurt at work or someone injured in an automobile accident, all of our work is done on a contingency fee which means the lawyer is not paid unless their is a recovery via a settlement accepted by the client or a jury verdict should the case go to trial. Workers Compensation cases are handled on a 25% contingency fee which must be approved by the North Carolina Industrial Commission. This percentage typically is based on a permanent injury rating or "clincher". Automobile or other Personal Injury Cases are handled on a sliding scale with the contingency fee based on a percentage of the agreed upon total settlement with the insurance company. They range from 10% to 30% for non litigated cases. Litigated personal injury cases are 33 1/3% and Medical Malpractice Cases are typically 40%.
Call our office to discuss any concerns about our fees. Prior to taking on a case, the client will have all aspects of the fee explained to them. While the amount of attorneys fees charged are important when choosing a lawyer, it is equally important to retain a lawyer who you feel is experienced and can relate to your issues but who will also be honest with you about the pros and cons of your case while fighting for you every step of the way.
Q: Will I be responsible for expenses in addition to the attorneys fees I pay when hiring a lawyer to handle my case?
A: In most Personal Injury cases you will have additional expenses over and above the fee you pay to your attorney. Since most cases resolve without litigation these costs are minimal and typically involve the costs to obtain a clients medical records or postage which are costs the client would incur if they handled the case on their own. These costs are advanced by our office and we only ask them to be reimbursed should your case be settled or a jury verdict is returned. You will not get a big bill for expenses at the end of your case which makes your settlement seem less reasonable and all of them will be discussed with you so you know who has to be paid and you know where all the money is going before you choose to settle. These additional costs can be significantly more expensive if you decide to litigate your case and these significant expenses will not be incurred without your permission and without a discussion of the pros and cons of spending these costs in the litigation arena. Call our office if you have any questions about expenses you may have in a case.
Q: How long does it take a case to resolve once I hire Tanner and Romary to handle my case.
A: Every case is different. How a case resolves depends on the facts of the case, the nature of the injuries, and the insurance company involved. Typically a case cannot resolve until you have been released from treatment with all your doctors at maximum medical improvement. If you go the emergency room the day of the accident and that is your only medical treatment, your case will typically resolve a lot sooner then someone who will be treating and recovering from their injuries for a year. Once you are released from treatment, all of the damages related to your case is organized into a settlement brochure that is sent to the insurance company for review. Some insurance companies make their positions known pretty quickly while others may respond a little slower. Our office makes sure your case is moved forward efficiently, but it is important not to compare individual cases to each other. How your neighbors personal injury case resolved should not be compared to how your case is resolved. Call our office if you want to discuss how a case is handled from beginning to end and the time frame involved.
Q: Can I resolve my property damage claim while I am still recovering from my injuries and will Tanner and Romary help me resolve my property damage claim?
A: Your property damage claim and your injury claim will typically be handled separately by an insurance company if they are not disputing who is at fault in the accident. Once liability has been accepted by the other drivers insurance company, they will pay to have your car repaired or pay you the value of your totaled vehicle early in the process. You can resolve these claims and still have your injury claim open so you want to get the property damage claim handled as soon after the accident as possible to prevent further delays or problems you may face by not having a car.
Our office handles all aspects of our clients property damage claims free of charge as long as litigation is not required. This can range from help getting the adjusters to move forward with the claim to depreciation to processing the total loss paperwork. One of the frustrations people face that makes them consider an attorney is how their property damage claim is being handled by the insurance company. If you are facing these frustrations, call our office so Jeremy or Peter can explain what you need to do.
Q: How soon after my accident should I call a lawyer and does it cost any money to talk to a lawyer even if I choose not to hire one?
A: Even if you dont think you need a lawyer, or not sure you want to hire one, calling a lawyers office to get some initial advice can be very important when deciding how to handle your claim. Remember you are dealing with trained insurance adjusters who want or require certain information from you early on in the process, some of which can help them determine how they will handle your claim. By calling a lawyer early on in the process, you can get initial advice on North Carolina law regarding liability, your options regarding total loss or repairs to your car, and whether or not to give recorded statements or sign authorizations to release information to an insurance adjuster. You can also discuss options regarding your medical bills and the various types of insurance involved in the case as well as many other important factors about your case.
Even if you choose not to hire a lawyer, it does not cost you anything for a free consultation in person or over the phone at Tanner and Romary, P.A.
Q: If I hire Tanner and Romary, will they start suing people?
A: Once you retain our firm to handle your case, all efforts are made to settle the claim without litigation. Most cases resolve without litigation once the client has finished treatment and we have a chance to negotiate a settlement with the insurance adjuster. If your claim has been denied or you do not like the insurance companies offer to settle your claim, we will have to sue the person who caused your injuries in order to have a chance at a recovery. The lawsuit can be filed soon after the accident or within the applicable statute of limitations. Each case is different so contact us to discuss your options as we do not file lawsuits without the clients consent after a full explanation regarding the litigation process.
Q: I was hurt in an accident and I need medical care and I have no way to pay for it. What do I do?
A: Getting hurt in an accident and not having a way to pay for medical care can be very frustrating. However there are options. While many medical providers refuse to see patients who were hurt in automobile accidents or require pre payment, there are many medical providers that will provide treatment with a promise to pay their bill after the case resolves. Either way, you do not want to delay treatment that you need because you are worried about paying for it as these gaps in treatment make cases harder to resolve. If this is your situation, call our office so we can discuss possible options with you.
Q: My doctors say I am better and no longer want to see me, but I am still in pain, what do I do?
A: Just because your doctors have released you, you do not have to immediately try to settle your case. We often advise our clients who are released from their doctors care without an indication of their injury being permanent, to wait and see how they do before moving forward. If the pain does not improve and you need to return to your doctor, your case is still open and you can get the treatment you need. If your pain improves over time, you will feel comfortable moving forward to try and resolve your case at a later date. We discuss these options with our clients once they have been released from their doctors care depending on the nature of their injuries. Call our office to discuss these issues.
