Personal Injury Questions,
Answered Clearly

Yes. The initial case review for a potential personal injury matter is free. You may ask questions and decide whether you want to move forward. For employment or other matters not evaluated on a contingency basis, the firm’s current paid-consultation fee is $400. If an hourly matter is accepted, the current standard hourly rate is $525. The firm will confirm the applicable fee before scheduling, and the written agreement controls.

No. A call, email, form submission, or consultation does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship. Representation begins only after the firm completes a conflict check, agrees to accept the matter, and both sides sign a written agreement.

Personal injury cases are commonly handled on a contingency fee, meaning the attorney fee is a percentage of a recovery. The written agreement controls the percentage, responsibility for case costs, and what happens if there is no recovery. Review those terms before signing.

A useful evaluation looks at responsibility, causation, injury or loss, available evidence, insurance or assets, and the filing deadline. A painful event does not automatically create a legal claim, and a claim can exist even when the insurance company initially denies responsibility.

Get appropriate medical help, report the incident to the proper person or agency, photograph the scene and injuries, identify witnesses, preserve documents and damaged property, and avoid posting details on social media. Do not ignore a deadline while waiting for an insurer to respond.

Your own policy may require reasonable cooperation, but the scope of that duty and the risk of a recorded statement depend on the policy and claim. Before litigation, a claimant ordinarily has no contractual duty to give the opposing insurer a recorded statement. If a lawsuit is filed, formal discovery obligations apply. Consider getting advice before providing a broad statement, signing a medical authorization, or accepting a release.

The answer may involve health insurance, medical-payments coverage, workers’ compensation, a provider agreement, or payment from a later settlement or judgment. The at-fault party’s liability insurer usually does not pay each bill as it arrives. Keep every bill, explanation of benefits, and payment record.

Depending on the facts and governing law, recoverable damages may include reasonable medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, pain, emotional distress, physical limitations, property damage, and future losses. Not every category applies in every case, and available insurance can affect practical recovery.

Partial fault does not always end a claim. California generally uses pure comparative fault, which reduces damages by the claimant’s percentage of responsibility. In an ordinary Nevada negligence claim, recovery is generally allowed when the claimant’s negligence is not greater than the combined negligence of the parties to the action against whom recovery is sought. Allocation is evidence-driven and can be disputed.

There is no honest universal estimate. Timing depends on medical recovery, disputed fault, the number of parties, available coverage, expert work, negotiations, court schedules, and whether a lawsuit is necessary. Resolving a claim before the future medical picture is reasonably understood can undervalue it.

Many claims resolve without trial, but some require a lawsuit or trial to pursue a fair outcome. A lawyer should prepare the evidence with both negotiation and litigation in mind, then discuss the risks and choices with the client.

Many ordinary personal injury claims in both Nevada and California have a two-year limitations period, but that is not a safe deadline for every case. Claims involving public entities, medical malpractice, minors, sexual abuse, wrongful death, out-of-state events, or special statutes can follow different rules and may require much earlier notice. Have the deadline evaluated promptly.

The firm evaluates matters arising in Nevada and California. Whether it can accept a particular matter depends on conflicts, jurisdiction, deadlines, case type, and other facts disclosed during intake.