Personal Injury Lawyers
After an accident, the questions come quickly. Who pays the medical bills? What happens with lost time at work? Is the insurance company’s offer fair? The personal injury firms below have each been recognized in the ELA Awards for the way they serve injured clients, from the first phone call through settlement or trial. Each firm profile shows the types of injury cases the firm handles, its attorneys, its office locations, and answers to common questions, so you can compare recognized firms before you call.
What a Personal Injury Lawyer Does
A personal injury lawyer represents people who were hurt because of someone else’s carelessness. The work usually starts with an investigation: gathering police or incident reports, collecting medical records, speaking with witnesses, and documenting how the injury has affected your life. From there, the lawyer handles communication with insurance companies, builds a demand for compensation, and negotiates on your behalf.
Most injury claims are resolved through a settlement. When an insurance company will not make a fair offer, a personal injury lawyer can file a lawsuit and prepare the case for trial. Having someone handle that process lets you focus on your recovery instead of phone calls with adjusters.
Types of Cases Personal Injury Firms Handle
ELA-recognized personal injury firms handle a wide range of injury matters, including:
- Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
- Pedestrian and bicycle accidents
- Slip and fall and other premises liability claims
- Medical malpractice
- Dog bites
- Workplace and construction injuries
- Defective products
- Wrongful death
Many firms focus on a few of these areas, so check each profile to see where a firm’s experience lies.
How Personal Injury Lawyers Are Paid
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. You pay nothing up front, and the lawyer’s fee comes from the settlement or verdict in your case. If there is no recovery, you generally owe no attorney fee. One-third of the recovery is a common fee, and some agreements raise the percentage if the case goes into litigation or to trial. Case costs such as filing fees, medical records, and expert witnesses are usually handled separately from the fee, so ask how those are paid and whether you would owe them if the case is lost. Every state sets its own rules on these agreements, and a contingency fee agreement should always be in writing.
Deadlines matter in injury cases. Each state sets a statute of limitations, which is the time limit to file a lawsuit, and the limit can be shorter for claims against government agencies. Waiting too long can end a claim entirely, which is one of the main reasons to speak with a lawyer soon after an injury.
Choosing a Personal Injury Firm
A strong fit usually comes down to a few things. Look for a firm that handles your type of case regularly, since a truck accident or a medical malpractice claim involves different evidence than a fender bender. Ask who will actually work on your file day to day and how often you will hear from them. Find out whether the firm has taken cases to trial, because insurers pay attention to that. And notice how the office treats you on the first call. You will be working with this team for months, sometimes longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?
Most personal injury firms offer a free consultation and work on a contingency fee, so there is no up front cost. The fee is a percentage of what you recover, and the exact terms are spelled out in a written agreement before the firm takes your case.
Do I need a lawyer if the insurance company already made an offer?
Not always, but it is worth a conversation before you accept. Once you sign a release, the claim is usually closed for good. A lawyer can tell you whether the offer accounts for future medical care, lost income, and the full impact of the injury.
How long does a personal injury case take?
It depends on the injuries and how the insurance company responds. Some claims settle within months once treatment is complete. Cases that go into litigation can take a year or more.
What should I do right after an accident?
Get medical care first. Then keep copies of reports, bills, photos, and any letters from insurance companies, and avoid giving recorded statements to the other driver’s insurer before you have spoken with a lawyer.
Will my case go to trial?
Most personal injury cases settle without a trial. A firm that is prepared to go to court, though, is often in a stronger position during negotiations.