By Garrick McFadden, Esq. | AV-Preeminent Rated | USC Gould School of Law | Founder, GAMESQ, PLC
Last Updated: May 12, 2026
Most people only ever see one side of personal injury law — the billboards on the I-10, the promise of “maximum compensation,” the TV commercials with dramatic music. What you don’t see is what happens on the other side of that conference table.
There is a machine. It is built, funded, and optimized by insurance companies to pay you as little as possible. And unless your lawyer has sat inside that machine, they are navigating it blind.
I have not navigated it blind. Before I founded GAMESQ, PLC, I worked as in-house defense counsel for Progressive Insurance — one of the largest auto insurers in the country. I was the lawyer protecting the bottom line. Today, I use everything I learned there to protect you.
This post is about why GAMESQ was founded, what the insurance machine actually looks like from the inside, and the four promises I make to every single client who walks through our door in Maryvale or calls us from anywhere in Arizona.
I Spent Years on the Wrong Side of the Table
My legal career did not start in a personal injury firm. After graduating from USC Gould School of Law — a top-20 law school — I went to work as a tax attorney for Deloitte, one of the Big Four accounting firms in Silicon Valley. I handled complex corporate transactions. I could have stayed on that path indefinitely.
I chose not to. I saw what was happening to everyday people in Arizona who were injured in car crashes. I watched how the system they trusted to protect them was being used against them. I made a decision to come back to personal injury law — not because I had to, but because I wanted to fight for people who deserved better.
Before I did, I spent time working as in-house defense counsel for Progressive Insurance. That experience changed everything.
Inside Progressive, I learned:
- How claims files are actually built. Adjusters are trained to document things in ways that minimize the company’s exposure, not to fairly value your injuries.
- How cases are priced. Insurance companies use proprietary valuation software that spits out a number — and that number is almost always lower than what your case is actually worth.
- When they fight and when they fold. Insurers know which plaintiffs’ attorneys will go to trial and which ones won’t. If your lawyer has a reputation for settling fast, the insurer adjusts their offer accordingly.
- How they use your own words against you. When an adjuster calls you the day after your crash and asks “how are you feeling?”, that is not a wellness check. It is an evidence-gathering exercise. Learn why insurance companies want recorded statements before you ever pick up that phone.
When you understand how a defense file is built, you know exactly how to dismantle one. That insider knowledge is the single most valuable thing I bring to your case.
The Uncomfortable Truth: Black Arizonans Are Treated Differently
One of the core reasons I founded GAMESQ, PLC was something I witnessed repeatedly while working in insurance defense — a pattern that was impossible to ignore and unconscionable to accept.
Black claimants were treated differently. Not always overtly, but consistently enough to be undeniable.
Inside the system, I watched as:
- Pain was discounted. Injuries reported by Black claimants were met with skepticism that was never applied to white claimants with identical medical records.
- Credibility was questioned before people even had a chance to speak. The implicit bias baked into how files were evaluated was real, and it cost people real money.
- Settlements were lower. The push to close cases for pennies on the dollar was more aggressive when the claimant was Black. Research confirms this is not just an anecdote — studies show Black and Latino accident victims are consistently offered 25-40% less than similarly situated white claimants.
I had two options. I could keep doing what I was doing. Or I could build something better.
I built GAMESQ, PLC.
We are one of the only Black-owned personal injury law firms in Arizona — and one of fewer than five Black attorneys in Arizona history to achieve an AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell. This firm exists specifically because the community I serve deserves a lawyer who refuses to let the system undervalue them, and who has the credentials and the inside knowledge to make sure it doesn’t.
If you want to understand why choosing an experienced Black car accident lawyer in Phoenix matters — not just symbolically but practically — I encourage you to read more about how cultural competency and systemic awareness translate into better outcomes.
What Does “AV-Preeminent” Actually Mean?
You have seen plenty of lawyer marketing. “Top Rated.” “Super Lawyer.” “Best of Phoenix.” A lot of those designations are pay-to-play marketing programs.
The AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell is different.
It cannot be purchased. It is awarded only after review by fellow members of the bar and the judiciary — the people who actually see lawyers work. To earn it, you must score at the highest level in both legal ability and ethical standards. It is the legal profession’s equivalent of a peer-reviewed credential.
Fewer than 5 Black attorneys in Arizona history have achieved it. I am one of them.
I announced this milestone in September 2024, and I share it not to brag, but because it matters for you. When opposing counsel and insurance adjusters see an AV-Preeminent attorney on the other side of your case, the calculus changes. The settlement offers reflect that. The seriousness with which your claim is evaluated reflects that.
You deserve that level of representation.
The Four Promises of GAMESQ, PLC
When you are recovering from a crash — dealing with medical bills, rental car issues, missed work, and the emotional weight of everything that just happened — the last thing you need is a lawyer who treats you like a file number in a system.
At GAMESQ, PLC, every client receives four non-negotiable commitments. These aren’t taglines. They are the operating principles that govern every interaction in our firm, from the first phone call to the final settlement check.
1. Humanity First
You are a person, not a claim number. Personal injury is personal. It affects your body, your work, your family, your mental health. Your legal representation should reflect that reality.
I give every client my direct contact information. You will never be shuffled to a case manager or a paralegal who doesn’t know your story. I personally answer every client call — because that is what real legal representation looks like.
2. Trial-Ready Case Building
Every case I take is built as if it is going to trial — even if it ultimately settles.
This is not an accident. It is a strategy. Insurance companies track which attorneys actually try cases and which ones don’t. When they know you are represented by a lawyer with eight first-chair jury trials, 500+ depositions, and experience in virtually every Arizona county, their settlement offers reflect that reality.
A lawyer who is afraid of the courtroom will always settle for less. You can learn more about what trial-ready representation actually means for your settlement value and why it matters that your attorney has a proven record in the courtroom, not just at the negotiating table.
3. Radical Transparency
You will always know what is happening with your case. Always.
No silence. No vague updates. No being talked down to. I provide weekly case status communications and proactively reach out to you — you should never have to chase your lawyer for information. Under Arizona ethics rules, your attorney is obligated to keep you reasonably informed about the status of your matter. At GAMESQ, we treat that obligation as a floor, not a ceiling.
If you currently have a lawyer who isn’t returning your calls or can’t explain what’s happening with your case, that is a problem. You have the right to change personal injury lawyers in Arizona at any time, at no double cost to you.
4. Unfiltered Truth
I will tell you the truth about your case — even when it is not what you were hoping to hear.
If your case has challenges, I will tell you what they are. If an offer is reasonable, I will tell you that too. If you are being pressured to accept a lowball settlement by your current attorney, I will show you the numbers and let you decide.
Informed clients make better decisions. That is the only way this process should work.
What the Insurance Machine Is Doing Right Now
If you or a family member were recently in an Arizona car accident, here is something you need to understand: the insurance company is already building a file on your claim. Right now. Today.
From the moment that crash was reported, an adjuster was assigned. Notes are being taken. Recorded statements are being sought. Your social media may be monitored. The goal of that file is not to fairly compensate you — it is to document every possible reason to pay you less.
Under Arizona’s pure comparative negligence law (A.R.S. § 12-2505), you can recover compensation even if you were partially at fault for the accident. But the insurance company’s file will be designed to maximize your percentage of fault and minimize theirs.
You need someone building a file on your behalf — just as fast, just as thoroughly. You have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Arizona under A.R.S. § 12-542. That clock starts now.
Here is what you should be thinking about in the days immediately following a crash:
- Do not give a recorded statement to the insurance company without speaking to a lawyer first. Adjusters are trained to ask questions in ways that generate answers they can use against you.
- Get medical attention immediately. Gaps in treatment are one of the primary ways insurers justify lowball offers. And Black and Latino patients, in particular, face a documented healthcare disparity in how concussions and soft tissue injuries are diagnosed and treated. Do not let a missed diagnosis cost you your case.
- Don’t accept the first offer. The first offer is almost never the fair offer. Learn what happens when you reject the insurance company’s first settlement offer before you make any decisions.
- Demand a peer-reviewed lawyer. Don’t choose your attorney based on which billboard you drove past. Look for an AV-Preeminent rating, a real trial record, and a firm that is willing to show you — in writing — what your net recovery will look like.
The GAMESQ Double Guarantee: Real Results or We Work for Less
I am so confident in what we do that we back it up with two guarantees no other Arizona personal injury firm offers.
The Settlement Beat Promise: If you already have a written settlement offer from an insurance company before hiring GAMESQ, I guarantee we will increase it by at least 25% — or you pay a reduced 25% fee instead of our standard 36%. If we cannot beat your existing offer at all, you pay nothing.
The Net Recovery Promise: Before you sign anything, I will show you a mathematical comparison: what you would net accepting your current offer, what you would net with a typical settlement mill, and what you will net with GAMESQ — after all attorney fees, case costs, and medical bills. I guarantee you will net at least $2,000 more in your pocket than any other option, or we refund the difference from our fee.
Those are not marketing promises. Those are written commitments. See how our fee structure works and what a flat 36% contingency — with no tiered escalation — actually saves you compared to firms that charge 33% pre-suit and jump to 40% once a lawsuit is filed.
A Second Opinion Costs You Nothing
If you already have a lawyer but something feels wrong — your calls aren’t being returned, you’ve never spoken to the actual attorney, you’re being pressured to settle — trust that instinct.
You are not locked in. Switching personal injury lawyers in Arizona does not double your fees. Under Arizona ethics rules, when you discharge your attorney, your old and new lawyers split the single contingency percentage based on the work each performed — you do not pay both firms separately. Your case does not restart. Your rights are protected throughout the transition.
A second opinion from GAMESQ is always free. No pressure. No obligation. Just an honest assessment of your case from a lawyer who has seen it from both sides.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Arizona
What makes GAMESQ, PLC different from other Phoenix personal injury firms?
GAMESQ is founded by Garrick McFadden, an AV-Preeminent rated attorney and USC Law graduate who spent years as in-house defense counsel for Progressive Insurance. He personally handles every case, provides every client with his direct cell number, charges a flat 36% contingency fee regardless of case duration, and backs every case with two written financial guarantees no other Arizona firm offers.
What is an AV-Preeminent rating and why does it matter?
The AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell is the highest possible peer-reviewed rating for both legal ability and ethical standards. It is awarded after review by fellow attorneys and judges — not purchased. Fewer than five Black attorneys in Arizona history have achieved it. When an opposing insurer sees an AV-rated attorney on a case, it directly affects the seriousness with which your claim is evaluated.
How long do I have to file a car accident claim in Arizona?
Under A.R.S. § 12-542, you generally have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim in Arizona. Missing this deadline typically bars your recovery entirely. If a loved one was killed in the crash, the two-year clock for a wrongful death claim runs from the date of death under the same statute.
Should I accept the first settlement offer from the insurance company?
Almost never. The first offer is a starting point, not a fair valuation. Insurance companies use proprietary software to generate initial offers that are calibrated to close cases cheaply, not to fully compensate you. Before accepting any offer, consult with a lawyer who can show you the full value of your claim.
Can I switch personal injury lawyers in the middle of my case?
Yes. You have the absolute right to change attorneys at any point in Arizona. Your fees do not double — the old and new attorneys split the single contingency percentage based on work performed. Your former attorney must cooperate with the file transfer under Arizona ethics rules and cannot take action that would harm your case upon withdrawal.
What if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Arizona follows pure comparative negligence under A.R.S. § 12-2505. That means you can still recover compensation even if you were partially responsible for the crash — your damages are simply reduced by your percentage of fault. If you were 30% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you can still recover $70,000. Do not let an insurance adjuster convince you that partial fault means zero recovery.
What does GAMESQ’s flat 36% contingency fee mean for me?
It means you pay the same percentage whether your case settles in three months or goes to a three-week jury trial. Many firms charge 33% pre-suit, then jump to 40% or 45% once a lawsuit is filed. When 73% of personal injury cases involve some period of litigation, that tiered structure costs clients tens of thousands of dollars. GAMESQ’s flat fee eliminates that risk entirely.
Call Garrick McFadden Directly — Free Consultation
You don’t have to figure this out alone. If you’ve been injured in an Arizona car accident, if you’ve lost a family member in a crash, or if you’re already working with a lawyer but feel like something isn’t right — call me directly.
📞 (623) 233-4416
Or visit gamesqlaw.com to learn more about how we work, read real case results, and request your free consultation.
There is no upfront cost. No obligation. No win, no fee.
The machine has a playbook. Let’s make sure someone on your side has already read it.
Garrick McFadden, Esq. is an AV-Preeminent rated personal injury attorney, USC Gould School of Law graduate, and founder of GAMESQ, PLC. He is a former in-house defense counsel for Progressive Insurance and one of fewer than five Black attorneys in Arizona history to achieve the AV-Preeminent rating. Learn more about Garrick McFadden.
