What does a personal injury lawyer do?
Personal injury lawyers represent people who were hurt because another person, business or government agency failed to act reasonably. Their job is to prove who was at fault, document the full cost of the injury, and negotiate with insurance companies — or take the case to trial when a fair settlement is not offered.
Compensation in an injury claim can include medical bills, future treatment, lost income, reduced earning capacity, property damage and pain and suffering. An experienced attorney knows how to value those losses and how insurers try to minimize them.
Common personal injury cases
- Car, truck and motorcycle accidents
- Slip and fall / premises liability
- Dog bites
- Defective products
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Catastrophic and brain injuries
When should you hire a personal injury lawyer?
- You were hurt and needed medical treatment beyond a single urgent-care visit
- An insurance adjuster is asking for a recorded statement or offering a quick settlement
- Fault is disputed, or more than one party may be responsible
- Your injuries are keeping you out of work
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Most personal injury lawyers work on contingency: you pay nothing up front and the attorney takes an agreed percentage of the recovery, often around one-third. Ask whether the percentage changes if the case goes to trial and how case expenses are handled.
Questions to ask in your consultation
- How many cases like mine have you handled, and how many went to trial?
- Who will actually work on my case day to day?
- What percentage is your contingency fee, and who pays case costs if we lose?
- What is a realistic timeline for a case like this?