The 9 Best Personal Injury Lawyers in Los Angeles (2026)

In a contingency arrangement the lawyer is paid a percentage of what you recover, usually from a settlement or verdict, and you pay no fee if there is no recovery. Case costs such as filing fees, records and expert witnesses are handled separately, so ask whether they are deducted before or after the percentage, whether the percentage changes if the case goes to trial, and get the agreement in writing. Firms on this list, including Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack and The Dominguez Firm, say they work on contingency or on a no-recovery, no-fee basis.

The California Courts self-help site says you usually have 2 years from the date of the injury to sue, and that the deadline is shorter if you want to sue a government agency, where a claim generally must be submitted to the agency by a much earlier deadline. See the courts' pages on personal injury cases and deadlines to sue. The site notes that these deadlines are fact specific and can be tricky to calculate, so talk to a lawyer promptly.

Not always. If no one was hurt and the damage is small, many people deal with insurers directly. A lawyer becomes more useful when there are injuries or ongoing treatment, disputed fault, an uninsured driver, a death, or a claim against a company or public agency. Most firms on this list offer a free initial consultation, so you can ask whether your claim is worth pursuing before you commit.

Bring the police or collision report if you have one, photos of the scene and injuries, the other driver's insurance details, medical records and bills, proof of lost income, and any letters or messages from insurers. Write down the date and time of the accident while it is fresh. Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement to an insurer before you understand your options.

It depends on the case. Larger firms such as Engstrom, Lipscomb & Lack and Rose, Klein & Marias describe long histories in injury and wrongful death litigation and can staff complex cases. Smaller offices such as Steven M. Sweat's and Mesriani Law Group may offer closer contact with the lead attorney. Whichever you choose, ask who will handle your file day to day, how often you will get updates, and whether the firm is prepared to try the case if it does not settle.