Questions to Ask a Personal-Injury Lawyer Before You Hire Them

The short answer. Before hiring a personal-injury attorney, ask: how many cases like mine have you handled, who will actually work on my case, what is your fee and who pays costs, what is my case worth and why, how long will it take, will you take it to trial if needed, and how do we communicate. The attorney's willingness to answer directly — with specifics, not promises — tells you more than any billboard.

Experience and fit

  • How many car-accident cases like mine have you handled, and how many went to trial?
  • Who will actually work on my file — you, an associate, or a case manager? Who do I call with questions?
  • Do you practice in my state and county? Local courthouse experience matters for both settlement and trial.

Money

  • What is your fee? Most personal-injury attorneys work on contingency — a percentage of what they recover, typically a third, and zero if they recover nothing.
  • Who pays case costs — filing fees, records, experts — and are they deducted before or after the fee?
  • What happens if we lose? Contingency means no fee, but confirm who eats the costs.

The case itself

  • What is my case worth, and what factors drive that range? An honest answer names the factors — injuries, coverage, fault — not a magic number.
  • What deadlines apply, and what do we need to do first to protect the evidence?
  • How long do cases like mine take in this county?

Red flags

Be wary of guarantees of a specific outcome, pressure to sign the same day, an attorney you never meet, and anyone who promises a 'big check' before seeing your records. A good attorney sells process, not promises.

Bottom line

A free consultation is a two-way interview. The attorney is evaluating your case; you are evaluating their candor. Ask the money questions first — a strong attorney answers them fast.

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Questions people also ask

What does 'contingency fee' really mean?

The attorney is paid only if you recover money, as an agreed percentage of the recovery. If there is no recovery, there is no fee. Confirm who pays case costs if the case loses before you sign.

Should I hire the first attorney I call?

No. Most injury attorneys offer free consultations, so talk to two or three. Compare their answers to the same questions — especially the money questions — and choose the one who explains, not the one who promises.

Sources

This page is general information, not legal advice. Kazaam is a marketing / lead-connection service, not a law firm, and submitting a form does not create an attorney-client relationship.