Personal injury lawyer FAQs: direct answers, no runaround

A drunk driver who causes an accident can be held liable for every injury and loss that results — and in many cases, additional punitive damages apply specifically because of the intoxication. We investigate aggressively: recovering evidence before it disappears, identifying witnesses, and dealing with insurance adjusters so you don't have to navigate that alone. If a drunk driver put you in the hospital, contact us today for a free case evaluation.

Do not apologize. Not to the other driver, not to the police officer, not to the insurance adjuster. An apology — even a reflexive one — can be treated as an admission of fault and used against your claim. Say as little as possible at the scene. Get medical attention. Then call us before you speak to anyone else about what happened.

Depending on the facts of your case, recoverable damages typically include medical expenses (past and future), lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In cases involving gross negligence — like a drunk driver or reckless corporation — punitive damages may also apply. Our job is to identify every category of harm and fight for full compensation, not a quick settlement that leaves real value behind.

Most personal injury cases resolve before trial. But the reason they resolve well is because the opposing side knows we are prepared to try them. We prepare every case for the courtroom from day one — that preparation is what forces insurance companies to take our demands seriously. If a fair resolution cannot be reached, we go to trial. We have tried over 80 cases across federal, state, and military courts, including cases with eight-figure verdicts. We never go to trial without your full understanding and consent.

There is no single honest answer. A case involving a clear-liability accident and a full medical recovery may resolve in months. A case involving catastrophic injuries, disputed liability, or a government defendant can take years. What we can tell you: we do not rush cases toward inadequate settlements to close files. We move at the pace the case requires to get you what you actually deserve. Contact us and we'll give you a realistic assessment of your specific situation.

Look at trial verdicts, not just settlements. Any attorney can negotiate a settlement — the question is whether they can win at trial when the insurance company refuses to pay what your case is worth. Ask how many jury trials they have taken to verdict. Ask whether they personally handle your case or hand it off to a junior associate after the initial pitch. Ask whether they have tried cases against the type of defendant you're facing. We have tried over 80 cases across federal, state, and military courts — including verdicts of $26.1M, $22.6M, and $21.2M. That record creates leverage before a single courtroom appearance.

For personal injury cases, nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means we only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes from the recovery — not your pocket. If we do not win, you owe us nothing. No hidden costs. No surprise invoices. No financial risk to you for pursuing your claim.

A contingency fee means our compensation depends on your recovery. If we win — whether by verdict or settlement — our fee is a percentage of that recovery. If we lose, we receive nothing. This structure aligns our interests with yours completely. We are financially motivated to fight for the highest possible recovery, not to settle fast and close the file. It also means the quality of your representation does not depend on your ability to pay.

No. If we take your case and do not win a recovery, you owe us nothing. We absorb the cost of pursuing the case. This is the commitment we make when we agree to represent you — and it is why we are selective about the cases we accept. When we take a case, we believe in it.

We treat referring attorneys as partners, not lead sources. When you send us a case, your client becomes our mission — and your relationship with that client is protected throughout. We do not contact your client without your knowledge, we keep you informed at every significant development, and if your client has future legal needs outside this matter, we refer them back to you. Our referral relationships are built on transparency and mutual respect.

Referral fees are handled in compliance with applicable state bar rules — typically a percentage of the attorney fee proportional to services rendered and responsibility assumed. We discuss the structure openly at the outset and document it clearly in the co-counsel agreement. No surprises. No deductions you did not agree to. Fair compensation for the referral you trusted us with.

You will not be left wondering. We provide immediate notification of significant developments — settlement offers, trial dates, major discovery events — and regular status communications on active matters. You will never have to chase us for an update. If you want to remain involved in case strategy, we welcome that. Our model is collaborative, not transactional.

Catastrophic personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights violations, police misconduct, and high-exposure civil litigation where trial capability matters. Cases involving TBI, spinal cord injury, burn injuries, wrongful death, and government liability are areas where our trial record speaks directly. We are licensed in California, Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, and the District of Columbia, and we associate with Gerry Spence Method colleagues nationwide for cases requiring additional geographic reach.