What matters when choosing a car accident attorney in Burbank
Finding the right attorney after a car accident is not about finding the "best" in some absolute sense—it is about finding someone whose experience matches your specific situation. An attorney who handles serious injury claims may not be the right fit if your case involves a minor fender-bender and a dispute with your insurance company. The factors that actually matter are: whether they have handled cases similar to yours, how they charge (flat fee, hourly, contingency), what their track record is with cases that settle versus go to trial, and whether you can reach them when you need to.
Burbank sits in Los Angeles County, which means any attorney licensed in California can represent you there. You are not limited to Burbank-based firms. What you should look for instead is someone with experience in California car accident law specifically, because rules around liability, damages, and insurance claims vary by state. An attorney who practices in Nevada or Arizona may not know California's comparative negligence rules or how Burbank courts handle these cases.
Key Takeaways
- Car accident attorneys in California typically work on contingency, meaning they take a percentage of your settlement or judgment instead of charging upfront fees, so you should understand what percentage they take and what costs come out before you receive money.
- The State Bar of California website lets you search any attorney's license status, disciplinary history, and whether they have been sued for malpractice, which is a faster way to screen out problem practitioners than relying on reviews alone.
- An attorney's experience matters more than their location—someone in Los Angeles or Santa Monica with ten years of car accident cases will likely serve you better than a Burbank attorney handling their first injury claim.
- Before you hire anyone, ask them directly: how many cases like yours have they settled or tried, what was the typical outcome, and what percentage of their fee comes from your recovery versus what you pay out of pocket.
How contingency fees work and what to watch for
Most car accident attorneys in California work on a contingency fee basis, which means they do not charge you upfront. Instead, they take a percentage of what you recover—either through settlement or trial judgment. The standard percentage ranges from 25 to 40 percent, depending on the attorney and the complexity of your case. Some attorneys charge a lower percentage if the case settles early, and a higher percentage if it goes to trial.
Before you sign anything, ask the attorney to explain in writing what costs come out of your recovery and in what order. Some firms deduct their percentage first, then costs. Others deduct costs first, then take their percentage of what remains. The difference can be hundreds or thousands of dollars. Also ask whether they advance costs (paying them upfront and recovering them from your settlement) or whether you pay costs as they happen. If you cannot afford to pay costs yourself, you need an attorney who advances them.
Red flags include: an attorney who will not explain their fee structure in writing before you hire them, who quotes a percentage but will not say what costs are deducted, or who pressures you to settle quickly. Legitimate attorneys know that you need time to understand your options.
Checking an attorney's background through the State Bar
The State Bar of California maintains a public database where you can search any licensed attorney. Go to calbar.ca.gov and use the "Find a Lawyer" tool. You can search by name or by practice area. The database shows whether their license is active, whether they have faced disciplinary action, and whether they have been sued for malpractice.
Disciplinary action does not automatically disqualify someone—minor violations happen—but the details matter. Look for patterns: multiple complaints about not returning calls, failure to communicate with clients, or mishandling client funds are serious red flags. A single complaint from years ago that was resolved is less concerning than three complaints in the last two years.
The State Bar database also shows whether an attorney is certified as a specialist in a particular area. In California, you can become a certified specialist in personal injury law, which requires passing an exam and meeting experience requirements. Certification is not required to handle car accident cases, but it is one signal that someone has focused on this work.
Questions to ask before hiring
Once you have narrowed down your choices, schedule a consultation. Many attorneys offer free initial consultations. Use that time to ask specific questions about their experience with cases like yours.
Ask: How many car accident cases have you handled in the last three years? Of those, how many settled and how many went to trial? What was the average settlement amount? What is your experience with cases involving [your specific injury type or circumstances]? How long do cases like mine typically take from start to finish? Will you handle my case personally, or will it be passed to another attorney or paralegal?
Also ask about communication: How often will you update me? Can I reach you by phone, email, or both? What is your typical response time? If you cannot reach the attorney directly, who will you talk to instead? These questions matter because you will be working together for months or longer, and poor communication creates stress and misunderstandings.
Understanding settlement versus trial
Most car accident cases settle before trial. Settlement means you and the other party (usually their insurance company) agree on a dollar amount, sign a release, and the case closes. Trial means a judge or jury decides the outcome. Settlement is faster and more predictable. Trial is slower, more expensive, and the outcome is uncertain—but sometimes the settlement offer is too low and trial is your only option.
When you interview an attorney, ask them to be honest about your case: Do they think it will settle? If so, what range are they estimating? What would it take to go to trial? How much more would trial cost in attorney time and informed fees? Some attorneys are more trial-focused and may push for trial when settlement would serve you better. Others settle everything and may not prepare adequately for trial. You want someone who will pursue the best outcome for you, not the easiest path for them.
What to bring to your first consultation
Before you meet with an attorney, gather the documents from your accident: the police report (if one was filed), photos of vehicle damage, photos of your injuries, medical records and bills, proof of lost wages, insurance correspondence, and any communication with the other driver or their insurance company. You do not need all of these to have a consultation, but having them helps the attorney understand your case quickly and give you more accurate information.
Also write down a timeline of what happened: the date and time of the accident, what you were doing, how the accident occurred, what injuries you sustained, and what treatment you have received. Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses. This takes 15 minutes and saves the attorney from asking you to repeat yourself multiple times.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch attorneys if I am unhappy with the one I hired?
Yes, but there are costs. If you fire your attorney before the case is resolved, you may owe them for work they have already done, even if they do not get the final settlement. The new attorney may also charge a separate fee. Before you switch, talk to your current attorney about what is not working. Many problems can be fixed with a direct conversation.
What if the insurance company offers me a settlement right away?
Do not accept it without talking to an attorney first. Insurance companies often make low initial offers, counting on people to accept quickly because they need money. An attorney can tell you whether the offer is fair based on your injuries and damages. Even if you eventually accept that amount, an attorney's review takes a few hours and could save you thousands.
Do I need an attorney if the accident was minor and no one was seriously hurt?
It depends on whether the insurance company is disputing fault or refusing to pay your medical bills. If liability is clear and your damages are under a few thousand dollars, you may handle it yourself. If there is any dispute or your medical bills are substantial, an attorney's involvement often results in a higher settlement than you would get alone, and their fee comes from that increase.
How long does a car accident case typically take?
straightforward cases that settle can close in three to six months. Cases involving serious injury or disputed liability often take one to two years. Cases that go to trial can take two to three years or longer. Your attorney should give you a realistic timeline based on the specifics of your case during your consultation.
What if I cannot afford to pay upfront costs?
Ask the attorney whether they advance costs. Many do—they pay for medical records, informed reports, and filing fees upfront and recover that money from your settlement. If an attorney will not advance costs and you cannot pay them yourself, that attorney is not a good fit for your situation.