How to Choose a Car Accident Lawyer in Los Angeles After a Serious Injury
To choose a Los Angeles car accident lawyer after a serious injury, look for an attorney who handles injury cases like yours, will personally work on your claim, and explains a written fee agreement in plain terms. Act soon, because California generally allows two years to file an injury lawsuit.
A serious crash changes everything at once. You may be facing surgery, time away from work, and calls from an insurance adjuster, all while trying to recover. Choosing who represents you is one of the first big decisions, and it helps to know what matters before you make it.
What should I look for in a Los Angeles car accident lawyer?
Look for a lawyer with a long record of injury work, a clear fee agreement, and a willingness to handle your case personally. Those three things tell you more than an advertisement does.
Here is a practical checklist:
A good first meeting should leave you with answers, not pressure. If a firm rushes you to sign before explaining the agreement, that is worth noticing.
Who will actually handle my case?
The answer should be a named attorney who is clear about their role in your claim. Ask this directly, and do not assume the lawyer you meet at the consultation will be the one working on your file.
At Pogosyan Law Firm, every case is handled directly by founding attorney Tony Pogosyan. That matters most in serious injury claims, where the details of your medical care, your work history, and the crash itself all affect how the claim is built.
When you interview any firm, ask these questions:
- Who will be my main point of contact?
- Will the attorney I meet today be the one handling my claim?
- How will you keep me updated as treatment continues?
- What happens if the insurance company disputes fault?
The lawyer you hire will be the person who talks with insurers, gathers records, and decides when and how to pursue your claim. You should feel comfortable asking that person hard questions.
Imagine sitting across a desk from an attorney with your hospital discharge papers and the police report spread out between you. A good lawyer reads them carefully, asks about your recovery, and tells you honestly what the next steps look like.
Will I pay anything if we don't win?
That depends on the fee agreement, so ask for it in writing. Pogosyan Law Firm works on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis for personal injury cases, and offers a free consultation.
California law sets rules for contingency fee agreements. Under Business and Professions Code section 6147, a contingency fee contract must be in writing, and the attorney must give you a copy signed by both parties at the time of signing. The contract must also:
If an attorney does not follow these requirements, the agreement can be voided at the client's option, and the attorney is then entitled to a reasonable fee.
Read the part about costs closely. The contract should say whether costs come out of your gross recovery or your net recovery, because that changes what you take home. Ask the lawyer to walk you through an example before you sign.
How long do I have to hire a lawyer and file a claim?
For most car accident injuries, you have two years from the date of the crash. That deadline comes from California Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, which covers injury to, or the death of, a person caused by the wrongful act or neglect of another.
A few points are worth knowing:
Because these rules are strict, do not wait until the deadline is close. Evidence fades, witnesses move, and a lawyer needs time to build a claim properly, especially when injuries are still developing.
Can I hire a lawyer if I was partly at fault?
Yes. California follows a pure comparative negligence rule, so being partly at fault does not automatically bar you from recovering compensation.
The rule comes from the California Supreme Court's decision in Li v. Yellow Cab, which replaced the old all-or-nothing approach. Fault is divided in proportion to each party's negligence, and the rule applies even when the injured person is equally or more at fault than the other driver.
Here is a simple example. If your damages are $100,000 and you are found 40 percent at fault, you could recover $60,000. The numbers are only an illustration, not a prediction for any case.
This is a good topic to raise at a consultation. Insurers sometimes try to shift blame onto the injured person to reduce what they pay. A lawyer who understands how fault is argued can help you respond.
What should I bring to my first consultation?
Bring whatever you have, even if it feels incomplete. A first consultation is meant to help the lawyer understand what happened, so perfect paperwork is not required.
Useful items include:
If you have not collected these yet, a lawyer can often help you request them. Write down what you remember about the crash while it is fresh, and avoid posting about it online.
Many people sort through this at a kitchen table, with a folder of bills, a phone full of photos, and a handwritten list of questions. Bringing even that much lets an attorney give you a clearer picture of where you stand.
How do I compare firms in Los Angeles and the Glendale area?
Compare them on the same questions, and write down the answers. Location matters less than experience, communication, and fit.
Pogosyan Law Firm is based in Glendale and represents clients across California, including Burbank, Pasadena, the San Fernando Valley, and Los Angeles. The firm reports more than 3,000 cases won and more than $175 million recovered for clients since 1999, and holds a 5-star rating on Google. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes, so use numbers like these as a starting point for questions, not as a promise.
For more on how the firm approaches these claims, see its page on car accident representation. If you want a rough sense of value before calling anyone, the firm's free AI Case Value Insight tool is available at pogosyanlaw.com/ai.
Whichever firm you choose, trust your read of the first conversation. You should come away understanding the fee agreement, the deadlines, and who will be handling your claim.
Frequently asked questions
How much is my personal injury case worth?
It depends on the facts, including your injuries, medical treatment, lost income, and how fault is assigned. No lawyer can honestly promise a figure at the start. A free consultation or the free AI Case Value Insight tool can give you a general starting point.
Should I accept the insurance company's first offer?
Be cautious before accepting any early offer, especially with a serious injury. Your treatment may not be finished, and accepting a settlement can end your claim. Talk with an attorney before you sign anything.
Does the filing deadline wait while I talk to the insurance company?
Do not count on it. Under Code of Civil Procedure section 335.1, the two years generally run from the day of the collision. Speaking with a lawyer early helps you keep track of the dates that apply to you.
Do I have to pay anything if we don't win?
At Pogosyan Law Firm, personal injury cases are handled on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. Your written agreement should also explain how costs are treated, so ask about that before you sign.
Injured in California? Call Pogosyan Law Firm at (818) 243-3900 or email info@pogosyanlaw.com for a free consultation. No fees unless we win. Curious what your case may be worth? Try our free AI Case Value Insight at pogosyanlaw.com/ai.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney–client relationship. Every case is different, and past results do not guarantee future outcomes. For advice about your situation, contact Pogosyan Law Firm for a free consultation.