Potential clients tend to ask a fairly predictable set of questions in a first consultation, and they cluster around a few themes.

 

Whether I have a case

• Do I have a case? Is it worth pursuing?

• Who is at fault, and can I recover anything if I was partly to blame?

• What if the other party (or their insurer) says I caused it?

 

Money

• How much is my case worth?

• How much do you charge? (Most PI lawyers work on contingency, so clients ask about the percentage, whether it rises if the case goes to trial, and who pays case costs like expert fees if they lose.)

• Will my medical bills get paid while the case is pending?

• What kinds of damages can I recover: pain and suffering, lost wages, future medical care?

• How do health insurance liens or Medicare/Medicaid reimbursement affect what I take home?

 

Time and process

• How long will this take?

• Is there a deadline to file? (The statute of limitations. In Virginia it's generally two years for personal injury, but it varies by state and claim type.)

• Will my case go to trial, or will it settle?

• What will I have to do? Will I need to testify or give a deposition?

 

Dealing with insurance companies

• Should I talk to the other driver's insurance adjuster?

• Should I accept the settlement offer they already made?

• Should I give a recorded statement?

• What if the at-fault party is uninsured or underinsured?

 

Your own conduct

• What should I do (or avoid doing) right now?

• Should I keep seeing my doctor, and does a gap in treatment hurt my case?

• Can I post about the accident or my activities on social media?

• What documents should I gather: police report, photos, medical records, pay stubs?

 

The lawyer themselves

• Have you handled cases like mine, and what were the results?

• Who will actually be working on my case, you or a paralegal or associate?

• How often will I hear from you, and how do I reach you?

• Can I switch lawyers if I already hired someone else?

I

f you're a lawyer building an FAQ page or intake script, the fee, case-value, timeline, and "should I talk to the insurance company" questions are usually the ones people care about most and search for before they ever call. If you're a potential client, those are also good questions to ask each lawyer you interview so you can compare answers.