Frequent Asked Questions

  1. I can’t afford to hire an attorney. Do you take cases on a contingent fee basis?
  2. If I hire a lawyer, how much time will it take to settle my case?
  3. I have no idea how much to settle my case for. If you handle my case, will you give me advice about that?
  4. The person who caused my injuries did not have insurance. How can I collect anything?
  5. Should I try to settle the case on my own?
  6. The insurance company is requesting a recorded statement? Should I give them one?
  7. Once you take my case, what will happen?
  8. The insurance company is requesting I sign a medical authorization. Should I sign it?
  9. I have no health insurance but I am in pain and need treatment. What are my options?
  10. I had back surgery years ago, but now my back pain has worsened since this accident, will the insurance company still pay for it?
  11. Will I have to go to Court?
  12. If I am partly at fault for the accident, do I still have a claim?
  13. My spouse has been forced to care for me because of my injuries. Does he also have a claim?
  14. How long do I have to make a claim?
  15. How are claims involving multiple responsible parties handled?

  1. I can’t afford to hire an attorney. Do you take cases on a contingent fee basis?
  2. Yes. Because the vast majority of our clients cannot afford to hire an attorney, we represent accident and medical malpractice victims on a contingent fee basis, which means we are paid a percentage of what you recover. (The percentage varies based on the type of case. Call or email us for specifics.)

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  3. If I hire a lawyer, how much time will it take to settle my case?
  4. Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to this question. Because we work on a contingent fee basis, it is in our interest to settle cases as quickly as possible. Obviously we are not making money—or our clients money—if a case is just sitting in a drawer or on somebody’s desk. That said, Attorney Thompson will never recommend to a client that he or she settle her case before they have reached a medical end point and we have enough information about future limitations, pain and suffering, and future medical expenses to present to the insurance company. Once a client signs a release, it is too late to come back to the insurance company and ask for more compensation if it turns out that the injuries are worse than expected. Attorney Thompson and his legal team work closely with your doctor and our own experts to determine when all of the necessary information has been assembled so that he can advise you about what an appropriate target settlement figure should be for your case.

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  5. I have no idea how much to settle my case for. If you handle my case, will you give me advice about that?
  6. Yes. Most clients have no idea how much is a fair and reasonable settlement for their case. We carefully track past settlements and jury verdicts to determine what the appropriate target settlement range should be and explain carefully to all of our clients what we think the target settlement should be and WHY that is the case. It is our goal that all of our clients are well-informed in making their decision before they settle their cases so that they can feel confident when they sign the settlement release that a fair and reasonable settlement was achieved.

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  7. The person who caused my injuries did not have insurance. How can I collect anything?
  8. Our firm specializes in tracking down available insurance coverage. Many people are not aware of insurance coverage that they have the covers them in the event an uninsured driver causes an accident that results in bodily injury. Our free, no obligation consultations will address the issue of available insurance coverage. In cases where there is no insurance coverage at all, our private investigator specializes in finding assets that the party who caused your injuries has that may be available to provide compensation for your injuries and medical expenses.

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Client Reviews
★★★★★
I feel I was treated with respect and was always 'kept in the loop' of what was happening throughout this process. I felt that I could ask any question and always receive an honest and professional response. K.L., Lewiston
★★★★★
Although this has been a difficult time, you have made this much easier by your thoughtfulness and professionalism. M.W., Portland
★★★★★
I would like to thank you for all your help, and taking the time to help me understand things. T.C., South Portland
★★★★★
I am very satisfied with the great people at [your office]. Especially Wendy Clark and Mrs. Mann. Very happy, very pleased. Thank you. D.M., Arundel
★★★★★
I was pleased with the level of professionalism and the effectiveness of your team. This was my first exposure to 'a case' and you made the process easy for me. M.D., Kittery
★★★★★
My brother is an attorney in New York. After my accident 2 years ago I asked him what firm I should go with. He researched and told me to call Peter Thompson and Associates. I followed his recommendation and am glad I did. From the opening bell they were timely, informative, professional AND WARM. Thank you. R.S., South Portland, ME