What documents should I collect after an accident?
Common items include photos, incident reports, medical records, insurance correspondence, witness details, and notes about symptoms or missed work.
Full answer in the FAQPersonal injury claims · car, work, slip and fall, medical
After an injury: what to do first, how long you have to file, what a lawyer costs, and how a claim actually moves.
Plain answers for the first week after an accident, by state, with the statute or source behind each one.
Find an attorney near meBrowse all guides
Reviewed by The Industry Guides Editorial Team · Updated · Sources: State bar and attorney discipline agencies, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Internal Revenue Service
The questions people ask first
All 10 questionsShort answers first. What applies to you depends on your situation, but each one links to the full answer.
Should I speak to a personal injury lawyer before insurance contacts me?
Many people choose to understand their options before insurer conversations so they know what information is appropriate to share and what documentation to gather.
Full answer in the FAQHow much does a personal injury lawyer typically cost?
Most personal injury matters use contingency fees, meaning payment is tied to recovery rather than hourly billing. The exact percentage, treatment of expenses, and timing are defined in a written agreement.
Full answer in the FAQWhat does a personal injury consultation usually include?
A consultation often reviews incident facts, injuries, insurance coverage, timelines, and potential next steps without committing you to representation.
Full answer in the FAQHow long do personal injury cases usually take?
Timelines vary based on injury severity, medical treatment length, negotiations, and whether litigation is required. Some resolve quickly; others take longer.
Full answer in the FAQWhat questions should I ask before hiring a lawyer?
Ask who handles your case, communication expectations, fee structure, costs, experience with similar matters, and decision-making authority.
Full answer in the FAQAt a glance
- Lawyer fee
- Most personal injury matters use contingency fees, meaning payment is tied to recovery rather than hourly billing. The exact percentage, treatment of expenses, and timing are defined in a written agreement. See: How Much a Personal Injury Lawyer Costs: Fees Explained
- Filing deadline
- See the When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer guide.
- Typical timeline
- Timelines vary based on injury severity, medical treatment length, negotiations, and whether litigation is required. Some resolve quickly; others take longer. See: Settlement Costs Before and After Filing Suit
- Keep
- Common items include photos, incident reports, medical records, insurance correspondence, witness details, and notes about symptoms or missed work. See: Accident Evidence Checklist: What to Collect After a Crash
- Guarantees
- Ethical rules generally prohibit guarantees. Be cautious of marketing language that suggests certain outcomes. See: Personal Injury Lawyer Red Flags
Law firms and rules by state
Most visited:LouisianaWest VirginiaSouth DakotaMissouriKansasDelawareIndianaNorth Dakota
All 50 states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Examples of law firms
Examples, not rankings. There is no single best personal injury lawyer for every case; each state page lists firms with the same checklist so you can compare fees, experience and communication.
Alaska Personal Injury Law Group (Atkinson, Conway & Gagnon)
Verify the license and discipline record with the state bar, then ask: the contingency percentage, who pays case costs, and who handles your file.
Request a callbackBanker Law Group, P.C.
Verify the license and discipline record with the state bar, then ask: the contingency percentage, who pays case costs, and who handles your file.
Request a callbackBarber & Associates, LLC
Verify the license and discipline record with the state bar, then ask: the contingency percentage, who pays case costs, and who handles your file.
Request a callbackFarnsworth & Vance
Verify the license and discipline record with the state bar, then ask: the contingency percentage, who pays case costs, and who handles your file.
Request a callbackGuides, in the order most people need them
- Step 1
What to do after an accident
Use this first when the accident just happened and you need a calm first-step checklist.
- Step 2
Questions to ask a lawyer
Use this before consultations so you can compare answers on experience, fees, communication, and strategy.
- Step 3
Red flags when hiring
Use this when you need a fast checklist of warning signs before choosing a firm.
- Step 4
Costs and contingency fees
Use this to compare contingency percentages, costs, and what happens if there is no recovery.
- Step 5
Recorded statements and insurance calls
Use this before speaking with an insurance adjuster so you know when to slow down and what to verify first.
- Step 6
Evidence checklist after an accident
Use this right after an accident when you need a clean checklist of what to preserve.
Most read: Medical Bills Behind a Settlement: Billed vs Allowed Amounts · When to Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer · Accident Evidence Checklist: What to Collect After a Crash · How Much a Personal Injury Lawyer Costs: Fees Explained
Get a callback from an attorney in your area.
One short request. We pass it to a provider near you. We never ask for case details here.
We do not rank providers. Providers may pay a listing or referral fee; that never changes the guides. Prefer the full form? Use the request page.
About The Accident Guides
The Accident Guides is an independent educational publisher that explains what to do after an injury, how a personal injury claim moves from evidence and insurance to settlement or lawsuit, and how to compare attorneys using state guides and primary sources. It does not rate, rank, or endorse law firms, and its content is educational, not legal advice.
The Accident Guides exists to explain the decision path first: what to do after an accident, what to document, what questions to ask, and what to verify before contacting a lawyer.
We do not rank providers. Providers may pay a listing or referral fee; that never changes the guides.