Costs & Fees
What Happens at a Free Personal Injury Consultation
Short answer
What happens at a free personal injury consultation, and is it really free?
A free consultation is a conversation — usually 20 to 45 minutes, by phone, video, or in person — in which an attorney learns what happened, reviews the documents you have, explains the deadlines that apply, and tells you whether the firm believes you have a claim worth pursuing. It costs nothing, creates no obligation to hire the firm, and does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship, which is formed only when a written agreement is signed.
What to bring
Bring the police or incident report number, photos of the scene and any vehicles, insurance information for everyone involved, the names of treating providers, any correspondence from an insurer, and records of missed work.
If you do not have all of it, come anyway. Firms request records and reports as a matter of routine, and the deadline to act does not pause while you gather paperwork.
What the attorney will cover
Expect questions about how the incident happened, what injuries you have, what treatment you have received, and whether you have spoken to any insurer. From there, the attorney should explain the applicable filing deadline, what evidence needs to be preserved, and the realistic sequence of the case.
You should also hear how the firm is paid, in plain terms, and what happens to case costs if there is no recovery.
What it costs and what you owe afterward
The consultation itself is free. If you decide to hire the firm, representation is on contingency — a percentage of the recovery, with no fee if there is no recovery. If you decide not to hire the firm, you owe nothing and can take the information with you.
Hollywood Injury Law Center is located at 7231 Santa Monica Blvd, 2nd Floor, West Hollywood, CA 90046. Call (323) 850-0101 to schedule a free case review with Steven Bash or Alexander Polyachenko.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a free consultation confidential?
- Communications made to seek legal advice are generally treated as confidential, even if the firm is not ultimately hired. Do not send sensitive documents by unsecured means before a relationship is established in writing.
- How long does a consultation take?
- Most take 20 to 45 minutes. Complex matters involving multiple vehicles, a government entity, or serious injuries can take longer.
- Am I obligated to hire the firm afterward?
- No. There is no obligation and no charge for the consultation itself.
- Can someone else call on behalf of an injured family member?
- Yes. Family members frequently make the first call when the injured person is hospitalized or recovering.
Talk it through with an attorney — free
Hollywood Injury Law Center represents injured people across Los Angeles County from our West Hollywood office. No fee unless we win your case.
This page is general information about California law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Hollywood Injury Law Center — Bash & Polyachenko P.C. is licensed to practice in California. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.