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September 18, 2025

What to Ask Before Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in California

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, slip and fall, or any other incident caused by someone else’s negligence, your next steps matter—and choosing the right personal injury lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make.

The attorney you hire can significantly impact the outcome of your case. From negotiating with insurance companies to fighting for your rights in court, your lawyer will be your voice, your advocate, and your guide through a complex legal process. A great attorney can maximize your compensation, while the wrong one can cost you time, money, and peace of mind.

In California, there are thousands of personal injury attorneys advertising their services—especially in busy regions like Los Angeles, the San Fernando Valley, and Riverside. But not all lawyers have the same experience, integrity, or results. Some may hand your case off to a case manager, settle too early, or lack courtroom experience altogether.

At Tim D. Wright Law, we believe every injured client deserves honest answers, personalized attention, and fierce advocacy. Before you sign with any lawyer, make sure you ask the right questions—and get the right fit for your needs.

What Experience Do You Have With Cases Like Mine?

Personal injury law isn’t one-size-fits-all. A lawyer who helped someone recover from a motorcycle crash may not have the right skills or insight for a complex premises liability case—or vice versa. That’s why it’s important to ask whether the attorney has handled cases similar to yours.

If you were injured in a car accident in Burbank, a warehouse fall in Riverside, or a dog bite incident in Van Nuys, your attorney should be able to point to real experience in that type of case, including how they approached it and the result.

Ask questions like:

  • How many cases like mine have you handled?
  • What were the outcomes?
  • Do you regularly practice in this county or region?

Familiarity with local courts, judges, and insurance tactics in Southern California jurisdictions can give you an added edge when it’s time to negotiate—or go to trial.

Are You Licensed and in Good Standing With the California State Bar?

Before you move forward with any lawyer, make sure they’re licensed to practice law in California and have a clean professional record.

You can quickly verify an attorney’s standing at www.calbar.ca.gov, where you can also see:

  • Whether they’re currently active
  • How long they’ve been practicing
  • If they’ve faced disciplinary action, suspensions, or ethical complaints

While you're at it, ask whether they’re members of reputable legal organizations such as:

  • Consumer Attorneys of California (CAOC)
  • American Association for Justice (AAJ)
  • Local bar associations or trial lawyer groups

These memberships often signal that the attorney is engaged in ongoing legal education and committed to ethical advocacy.

Who Will Handle My Case Day to Day?

One of the most important—and overlooked—questions to ask is: “Who will actually handle my case?”

At some firms, the lawyer you meet during the consultation isn’t the one who manages your claim. It may be passed to a junior associate, case manager, or even outsourced to a third-party firm. While that’s not always a dealbreaker, you deserve to know who your primary contact will be and how accessible they are.

Ask about:

  • Whether you’ll work directly with the lead attorney
  • How often you’ll receive updates
  • Who you can call with questions or concerns
  • What to expect in terms of responsiveness and transparency

What Is Your Fee Structure?

Before signing with a personal injury lawyer, it’s essential to understand how—and when—they get paid. In California, most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully recover compensation for you.

While that’s standard, not all contingency agreements are the same.

Ask your attorney:

  • What percentage will you take if my case settles or goes to trial?
    (Typical contingency fees range from 33% to 40%, depending on complexity.)
  • Will I be responsible for case costs—like court filing fees, expert witnesses, or investigators?
    And will those be deducted before or after the attorney takes their percentage?
  • What happens if we don’t win?
    A reputable attorney should make it clear that you won’t owe anything unless you recover compensation—but it’s important to confirm this in writing.

How Will You Keep Me Informed About My Case?

One of the biggest frustrations injury victims face is feeling left in the dark about their case. Your attorney should provide regular updates, explain each phase of the legal process, and be accessible when questions or concerns arise.

Ask:

  • How often will I hear from you about my case?
  • Will I be able to speak directly with my attorney if needed?
  • How do you typically communicate—by phone, email, or through an online portal?

Good communication builds trust. You should never feel like you’re chasing down your lawyer or guessing what’s happening with your claim.

How Do You Assess the Value of My Case?

A skilled personal injury lawyer should be able to walk you through how they calculate the value of your claim—not just quote a big number to impress you.

They should consider:

  • Medical expenses — both current and future
  • Lost income — for missed work days and reduced earning ability
  • Pain and suffering — for physical pain and emotional trauma
  • Loss of earning capacity — if you can’t return to the same line of work
  • Out-of-pocket expenses — including travel, home care, or medications

Ask:

  • How will you estimate damages in my case?
  • Do you work with medical or financial experts to calculate long-term impacts?

Do You Have Trial Experience?

While most personal injury cases settle out of court, some disputes—especially those involving serious injuries, disputed liability, or lowball insurance offers—require going to trial. If your case heads to court, you need an attorney who’s ready to fight in front of a judge or jury.

Be sure to ask:

  • How many personal injury trials have you handled?
  • What types of cases have you taken to trial?
  • What were the outcomes?

Trial experience does more than prepare your attorney for litigation—it also gives them leverage at the negotiating table. Insurance companies know which attorneys are willing to go to trial and which ones will settle quickly. A lawyer with courtroom confidence can often pressure insurers to offer higher settlements.

What Challenges Do You See in My Case?

No personal injury case is perfect. Whether it’s a delay in medical care, disputes over fault, or pre-existing medical conditions, there are often complexities that must be addressed.

A great attorney won’t just tell you what you want to hear—they’ll be upfront about the challenges in your case and how they plan to overcome them.

Ask:

  • What weaknesses do you see in my case?
  • How would you handle disputes about liability or my medical history?
  • What if the other party is uninsured or underinsured?

Watch out for lawyers who guarantee specific dollar amounts or act like your case is a guaranteed win. Honesty, not hype, is what you need early on.

Choosing the Right Lawyer Starts With the Right Questions

Hiring a personal injury lawyer isn’t just about finding someone with a law degree—it’s about choosing a trusted advocate who will fight for your best interests every step of the way. Whether you’re dealing with a car accident, slip and fall, or catastrophic injury, the right attorney can mean the difference between a quick, undervalued settlement and the full compensation you deserve.

That’s why asking the right questions before hiring a lawyer is so critical. Don’t be afraid to dig deep. You have every right to know who you’re trusting with your health, your finances, and your future.

At Tim D. Wright Law, we encourage every potential client to come prepared with questions. We believe in transparency, accountability, and personalized service, and we’re proud to serve individuals and families throughout Burbank, Van Nuys, Riverside, and across Southern California.

Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation

📍 Personal Injury Office – Burbank
1112 W. Burbank Blvd., Suite 302
Burbank, CA 91506

📍 Workers’ Comp Office – Van Nuys
16555 Sherman Way, Suite B2
Van Nuys, CA 91406

📞 Phone: (323) 379-9995 or (818) 428-1080
📧 Email: firm@timwrightlaw.com
🌐 Website: www.timwrightlaw.com

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