What should I ask before hiring an injury lawyer?
Reviewed by Andrew (Andy) R. Gillin
California State Bar #45226 ↗ · Approval recorded November 4, 2026
How we record review approvalAsk who will handle the case, what the fee is, and how costs are paid. Ask how you will get updates. Read the agreement before you sign.
In this guide
Here’s an example
A person asks what happens to costs if the case wins or loses. They ask whether costs come out before or after the fee.
A made-up example to explain the idea. Your facts may lead to a different answer.How the rule works
Business and Professions Code § 6147 sets requirements for many contingency fee contracts. Review the actual agreement rather than assuming an advertised percentage covers every expense.
Legal references: [1] Business and Professions Code § 6147 — Contingency fee agreements
A fee and case costs are different
A fee pays for the lawyer’s work. Costs can include records, filing fees, and expert work. A fee tied to a recovery does not tell you how every cost is handled.
Ask which amount the percentage applies to. Ask whether costs come out before or after the fee. Also ask what you may owe if no money is recovered. Get the answers in the written agreement.
To see why the amount you keep can differ, read gross and net settlement amounts.
Ask who does what
Find out who will handle the work and how to reach the team. Ask whether the agreement covers only the injury claim or also a vehicle-damage dispute. Ask what happens if a lawsuit or appeal is needed.
There is no one fee percentage for all injury matters. Some types of cases have special rules. A child’s settlement can also require court review of fees. This guide does not state GJEL’s fee for your case.
If only the car was damaged, read property-damage-only claims.
For a child’s recovery, see court review of a child’s settlement.
What can change the answer?
A fee tied to a recovery is called a contingency fee. That does not mean costs vanish or that all firms use the same terms.
Questions people ask
What could a lawyer change about my claim?
A lawyer may gather proof, explain the rules, and handle disputes or court steps. That does not promise a larger payout. Ask about the work, fees, costs, and limits of the agreement.
Court decisions behind this answer
A case can help explain a rule. Its facts and limits matter too.
Fergus v. Songer
California Court of Appeal · 2007
150 Cal.App.4th 552, slip op., p. 3 & fn. 1
The fee contract lacked a term the law required. The court discussed what that meant for the lawyer’s fee.
This does not set GJEL’s fee or erase every possible fee claim. Read the agreement and current law.
Case applicability reviewed as recorded above.
A useful next step
Ask about each unclear term. Keep a signed copy of the written agreement.
If you are unsure which rule applies, a lawyer can review your facts and any deadlines. Learn about GJEL’s injury representation.
The law behind this guide
The references below support the legal discussion. Their application depends on the facts.
- Business and Professions Code § 6147 — Contingency fee agreements ↗Statute · Review recorded above
- Fergus v. Songer (2007) 150 Cal.App.4th 552 ↗Case law · Review recorded above
- California Rules of Court, rule 7.955 — Fees in minor settlements ↗Court rule · Review recorded above
Updated 2026-11-04. Read our editorial standards.