What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do?

What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do
What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do?
What Do Personal Injury Attorneys Do?

The job of a personal Injury attorney is to act on your behalf if you are involved in an accident for which another person or party is at fault. Under Negligence Law, the person responsible for causing an accident is legally obligated to compensate anyone injured in the accident for all consequences.

A personal injury attorney will review your circumstances, answer your questions and determine if they can acquire for you adequate compensation for all expenses resulting from an accident. Attorneys can help you recover expenses for medical bills, property damage and lost wages, as well as receive compensation for any pain, suffering or emotional distress resulting from an accident.

What Types of Cases Do Personal Injury Attorneys Take?

The primary cases personal injury attorneys take are personal injury claims, or bodily injuries resulting from negligent or intentional acts.

According to Personal Injury Attorneys 818, a Glendale personal injury lawyer group, some common personal injury cases involve:

  • Vehicle accidents (including a tractor-trailer, motorcycle, and boating)
  • Medical malpractice
  • Workplace accidents
  • Product liability
  • Dangerous drugs
  • Airplane accidents
  • Wrongful deaths
  • Defamation/slander/libel

Some examples of personal injury claims that fall under negligent acts include:

  • Medical negligence
  • Dog bites (premises liability)
  • Slip and fall (premises liability)
  • Failure to obey traffic rules and regulations
  • Product liability

Sometimes personal injuries result from intentional acts. Some examples are:

  • Situations where harm was expected or intended
  • Assault
  • Battery
  • Defamation

Physical, mental or emotional conditions can all result from accidents, intentional acts or negligence. The severity of the resulting conditions can call for legal action by a competent personal injury attorney to act on your behalf.

How Much Should I Expect to Pay a Personal Injury Attorney?

Personal injury attorneys can receive compensation in a number of ways, but according to the American Bar Association, the most common is a contingency fee based on the settlement of personal injury litigation.

Things you should consider regarding fees when working with a personal injury attorney:

  • Are there any upfront fees related to my case?
    Generally, attorneys do not charge upfront fees.
  • What is the amount of the contingency fee?
    The fee for personal injury cases average 33%, or one-third of the settlement amount.
  • Will my attorney get paid if we lose and do not get a settlement?
    Attorneys will not receive a settlement percentage. Attorneys may still charge for court costs, witness depositions and other expenses.
  • How do other expenses affect my settlement?
    The attorney may deduct other expenses before or after taking a settlement percentage. If they deduct fees from the settlement before the settlement percentage is taken, your settlement amount may be less

How Do I Find a Good Personal Injury Attorney?

Personal injury attorney advertisements are everywhere. They permeate the Internet, radio, television, billboards and print ads. Choosing competent legal representation can be daunting.

According to Lawyers.com, you should do your research and ask questions when selecting the right attorney:

  • Do you have a trusted attorney from whom you can get a referral?
  • What is the background of the attorney?
  • What information about the attorney can you find online?
  • Does the attorney have expertise with your type of case?
  • Does the attorney belong to any local, state, or national associations?
  • Is the lawyer in good standing with the state bar association?
  • Are there any news articles about the attorney?
  • Does the attorney have any conflicts of interest?

These are just a few questions to pose when researching a good personal injury lawyer. As you research, think of additional questions that fit your situation.

What Do I Ask When I Meet With a Personal Injury Attorney?

Meeting with a personal injury attorney for the first time can be intimidating. Be ready with a list of questions in order to get as much information as you can.

Here list of 12 questions you should your personal injury attorney:

  • Do you offer a free and confidential case review?
  • How much time can you spend on my case?
  • What is my personal injury case worth?
  • What are your fees?
  • What happens if I don’t win my personal injury case?
  • What percentage of your current caseload is personal injury cases?
  • How often do other lawyers refer cases to you?
  • Have you handled complex cases involving commercial defendants?
  • How long have you been practicing law?
  • Can I see a list of your case results?
  • Have you handled cases similar to mine?
  • Have you ever been disciplined by the state bar association?

These questions are an excellent start, but since each case is unique you should perform your own research and ask questions specific to your case.


Personal injury attorneys exist to fight for you in getting fair and adequate compensation for your injuries. Contact an attorney right away after your injury for a consultation.