After a crash, insurance adjusters often call within days, and medical bills start arriving soon after. Hiring a lawyer is a big decision to make while you are recovering. This checklist works for any California law firm, including ours. Use it during free consultations and compare the answers side by side. It takes about 10 minutes.
The short version
- Pick a lawyer who handles car accident cases regularly, not occasionally.
- Confirm the lawyer is licensed in California with a clean record.
- Get the fee agreement in writing and understand how costs are handled.
- Choose a firm that is ready to file a lawsuit if the insurer will not offer a fair settlement.
- Be wary of anyone who guarantees a result or pressures you to sign on the spot.
The 10-point checklist
1. Do they focus on car accident cases?
Personal injury is broad. Car accident claims involve their own work: dealing with adjusters, finding camera footage, interviewing witnesses, reconstructing the crash and valuing long-term damages.
Ask: How many California car accident cases did you handle in the past year?
Red flag: A vague answer, or a firm that treats car accidents as a side practice.
2. Are they ready for trial?
Most car accident claims settle. But insurers pay closer attention to a firm that is willing to file suit and try a case. A lawyer who has never gone to court has less leverage in negotiation.
Ask: When did you last file a lawsuit in a car accident case, and who would handle it if mine goes to court?
Red flag: A firm that settles everything quickly and cannot describe its litigation experience.
3. Are they licensed in California, with a clean record?
Look the attorney up on the State Bar of California attorney search at calbar.ca.gov. It shows license status and any public discipline.
Ask: Which attorney will be responsible for my case, and are they licensed in California?
Red flag: An attorney you cannot find on the State Bar website.
4. Is the fee agreement in writing, and do you understand it?
Most car accident lawyers work on contingency, which means you pay no attorney fee unless the case is won. California law requires a contingency fee agreement to be in writing. Ask for the percentage if the case settles and the percentage if a lawsuit has to be filed, and read the agreement before signing.
Ask: What percentage do you charge at each stage, and what happens if we do not recover anything?
Red flag: No written agreement, or an unclear answer about the percentage.
5. How are case costs handled?
Costs are separate from the attorney fee. They include court filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses and investigators.
Ask: Do you advance these costs? Are they deducted before or after your fee is calculated? Do I owe them if we lose?
Red flag: Costs that are not explained in writing, or surprise deductions.
6. Who will actually work on your file?
At some firms the lawyer you meet is not the person handling your case day to day.
Ask: Who is my main contact? Will I be able to speak with the attorney directly?
Red flag: Refusal to name the people who will work on your case.
7. How will they communicate with you?
Chasing your lawyer for updates adds stress while you are healing. How the firm treats you before you sign is a good preview.
Ask: How often will I get updates, by what method, and what is your usual response time?
Red flag: Slow responses to your first call, or no clear process for updates.
8. Do they have the resources for your claim?
Serious injuries and disputed fault often require medical experts, accident reconstruction and extensive documentation.
Ask: What resources will you bring if the insurer disputes fault or the extent of my injuries?
Red flag: No plan beyond sending a demand letter.
9. What do independent sources say about them?
A firm’s own website shows only what it chooses to show. Check Google reviews, peer-rated directories such as Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell, and the State Bar record. No lawyer wins every case, so look for patterns in how clients describe communication and honesty.
Ask: Where can I read reviews from clients with cases like mine?
Red flag: Many complaints about the same issue, such as unreturned calls.
10. Can they handle your case wherever it is?
California has many courts and counties. Ask how the firm handles cases outside its nearest office, and whether the attorney is familiar with the courts where your case would be filed.
Ask: Have you handled cases in the county where my accident happened?
Red flag: No experience with the relevant court and no plan to address it.
Red flags at a glance
- Guaranteed outcomes or promised dollar amounts. No honest lawyer can promise a result.
- Pressure to sign at the first meeting.
- No written fee agreement.
- Unwillingness to name who will work on your case.
- Unexplained cost deductions.
- Advice to skip or delay medical treatment.
California rules that affect your claim
Deadline to file. In most California personal injury cases you have 2 years from the date of injury to file a lawsuit (California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1). Claims against a government entity, such as a city bus or a public agency vehicle, have a much shorter notice deadline, generally 6 months. Talk to a lawyer promptly so you do not miss either deadline.
Shared fault. California follows a “pure comparative negligence” rule. If you were partly at fault, you can still recover compensation, reduced by your percentage of fault.
Written fee agreements. Under California Business and Professions Code section 6147, a contingency fee agreement must be in writing, and it must state that the fee is negotiable.
What to bring to your first consultation
- The police report or report number
- Photos of the vehicles, scene and injuries
- Your insurance information and any letters from insurers
- Medical records and bills so far
- Proof of lost income
- Names and contact details of witnesses
Frequently asked questions
How much does a car accident lawyer cost in California?
Most car accident lawyers, including Kash Legal, work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront, and the fee is a percentage of the settlement or award, collected only if the case is won. Ask for the percentage and the cost terms in writing before you sign.
Should I talk to more than one lawyer?
Yes. Consultations are free, and comparing two or three firms with the same questions shows differences in experience, communication and fees.
How soon should I hire a lawyer after a crash?
As soon as you can, ideally before you give a recorded statement to an insurer. Early on, evidence such as camera footage and vehicle data is easier to preserve.
What if I was partly at fault?
You may still be able to recover compensation. California reduces your recovery by your share of fault rather than barring it.
How long do I have to file a car accident lawsuit in California?
Generally 2 years from the date of injury, with shorter deadlines for claims against government entities. See the section above.
What is the difference between a settlement and a trial?
Most claims settle without a trial. A lawyer who is ready to try the case can negotiate from a stronger position, but whether to settle or go to trial is your decision.
How Kash Legal answers these questions
Kash Legal is a California personal injury law firm that focuses on accident victims. We offer a free, confidential case evaluation and work on a contingency fee basis, so you owe no attorney fee unless we win your case. We serve clients across California from 20 office locations, and we prepare every case as if it may go to trial. We also handle communication with the insurance companies so you can focus on recovery.
Hold us to the same checklist. Ask us every question on this page.
Request your free case evaluation here: https://kashlegal.com/contact-us/
This page is for general information and is attorney advertising. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee or predict future outcomes. Representation requires a written retainer agreement.
