Frequently Asked Questions

Free PI Consult is an attorney matching service that connects individuals who have suffered personal injuries with experienced attorneys who may be able to represent them. We are not a law firm and do not provide legal advice ourselves.

Our service is completely free for users. We help you find qualified legal representation by matching you with pre-screened attorneys who handle cases similar to yours.

Our matching process is simple:

1. You complete our free case review form with details about your injury
2. Our system reviews your information and matches you with attorneys who handle similar cases in your area
3. We share your information with these attorneys (with your consent)
4. Attorneys contact you for a free consultation to discuss your case
5. You decide if you want to hire any of the attorneys who contact you

The entire process is free, and you're under no obligation to hire any attorney who contacts you.

Yes, our matching service is completely free for users. There is no charge to submit your case information or to be matched with attorneys.

We are compensated by attorneys in our network when they accept cases through our service. This compensation does not affect the cost of legal services to you. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case.

We connect users with attorneys who handle various types of personal injury cases, including:

• Car, truck, and motorcycle accidents
• Slip and fall accidents
• Workplace injuries
• Medical malpractice
• Product liability
• Wrongful death claims
• Dog bites and animal attacks
• Premises liability
• Construction accidents
• Nursing home abuse and neglect

If you're not sure whether your situation qualifies as a personal injury case, we recommend submitting your information for a free case review. Our system will determine if we have attorneys who handle similar cases.

In most cases, we can match you with attorneys within hours of submitting your information. However, the exact timing depends on several factors:

• Time of submission: Submissions during business hours typically get processed faster
• Case complexity: More complex cases may take slightly longer to match
• Geographic location: We need to find attorneys licensed in your state
• Attorney availability: Attorneys have varying response times

Most users receive their first attorney contact within 24-48 hours of submission.

To help us match you with the right attorney, we'll ask for:

• Basic contact information: Name, email, phone number
• Accident details: What happened, when and where it occurred
• Injury information: Type and extent of your injuries
• Medical treatment: Whether you've sought medical attention
• Insurance information: Details about any insurance coverage
• Other parties involved: Information about who may be at fault

You don't need to have all the answers or complete documentation. Just provide as much information as you can – even basic details can help us start the matching process.

We typically match users with 2-3 attorneys who are well-suited to handle their specific type of case. This gives you options to choose from while not overwhelming you with too many contacts.

The number of attorneys who actually contact you may vary based on:

• Attorney availability and current caseload
• Whether they believe they can help with your specific case
• Their geographic proximity to you
• Their area of specialization

You're under no obligation to hire any attorney who contacts you, and you can choose to work with the attorney who you feel most comfortable with.

The free consultation is your opportunity to:

1. Discuss your case: Provide more details about what happened
2. Ask questions: Learn about the attorney's experience and approach
3. Understand your options: Get preliminary advice about your legal rights
4. Learn about next steps: Understand what would happen if you hire the attorney
5. Discuss fees: Learn about contingency fee arrangements and costs

Most consultations last 30-60 minutes and can often be conducted over the phone or via video conference. This is your chance to evaluate whether the attorney is a good fit for you and your case.

While you're not required to have an attorney, there are significant advantages to legal representation:

• Legal expertise: Attorneys understand complex laws and procedures
• Maximize compensation: Studies show represented claimants typically receive higher settlements
• Level the playing field: Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and lawyers
• Evidence preservation: Attorneys know how to properly document and preserve evidence
• Negotiation skills: Experienced negotiators can get better settlement offers
• Reduced stress: Let professionals handle the legal complexities while you focus on recovery

Most personal injury attorneys offer free consultations, so there's no risk in speaking with one to understand your options.

Every state has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline for filing personal injury lawsuits. These deadlines vary by state and type of case, but typically range from 1-3 years from the date of injury.

Some important exceptions and considerations:

• Discovery rule: In some cases, the clock starts when you discover the injury
• Minors: Different rules may apply for children
• Government entities: Shorter notice periods often apply for claims against government agencies
• Medical malpractice: Special rules and shorter deadlines may apply

Depending on your case, you may be able to recover compensation for:

• Medical expenses: Past and future medical bills, rehabilitation costs
• Lost wages: Income lost due to the injury and reduced earning capacity
• Pain and suffering: Physical pain and emotional distress
• Property damage: Repair or replacement of damaged property
• Loss of enjoyment: Inability to participate in hobbies or activities
• Punitive damages: In cases of extreme negligence or intentional harm (not available in all cases)

The specific compensation available depends on the facts of your case, the severity of your injuries, and the laws in your state. An experienced attorney can help calculate the full value of your claim.

Many people are hesitant to pursue claims because they believe they were partially at fault. However, in most states, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you were partially responsible.

There are two main legal approaches:

1. Comparative negligence: Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages are $100,000, you could recover $80,000.
2. Contributory negligence: In a few states, if you were even 1% at fault, you cannot recover anything.

Most states follow some form of comparative negligence. An attorney can help you understand how fault allocation works in your state and whether you have a viable claim.

Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You pay nothing upfront
• The attorney only gets paid if they recover money for you
• Their fee is a percentage of the recovery (typically 25-40%)
• If they don't win your case, you don't pay attorney fees

In addition to contingency fees, there may be case expenses (filing fees, expert witness fees, medical record costs, etc.). These are typically either:

1. Advanced by the attorney and deducted from your recovery
2. Your responsibility regardless of case outcome (less common)

All fees and expenses should be clearly explained in your representation agreement before you hire an attorney.

Contingency fees typically range from 25% to 40% of the recovery, depending on several factors:

• Case stage: Lower percentage if settled before filing a lawsuit (often 25-33%), higher if the case goes to trial (often 33-40%)
• Case complexity: More complex cases may have higher percentages
• State regulations: Some states have rules about maximum percentages
• Attorney experience: More experienced attorneys may charge higher percentages

Some attorneys use a sliding scale where the percentage increases if the case requires more work (like going to trial). The specific percentage should be clearly stated in your fee agreement.

With a standard contingency fee agreement:

• You don't pay attorney fees if your attorney doesn't recover money for you
• Case expenses may or may not be your responsibility if you lose, depending on your agreement

There are generally three types of expense arrangements:

1. Expenses advanced: Attorney pays expenses, only recovers them if you win
2. Shared expenses: You pay some expenses regardless of outcome
3. Client-responsible expenses: You're responsible for all expenses win or lose (less common)

The key is to understand your specific agreement. Most reputable personal injury attorneys use the "expenses advanced" model where you only pay expenses if you win.

Reputable attorneys are transparent about all costs. However, you should be aware of potential expenses that may arise:

• Court filing fees: Typically $200-$500 depending on the court
• Expert witness fees: Can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars
• Medical record costs: Hospitals and doctors charge for copying records
• Deposition costs: Court reporter fees, transcript costs
• Investigation expenses: Accident reconstruction, private investigators
• Trial exhibits: Creating visual aids for trial

These expenses are usually outlined in your fee agreement. Ask your attorney for an estimate of potential expenses and how they will be handled.