By Michael Shemtoub, trial attorney, Beverly Law. Updated November 2026.
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When is the best time to hire a personal injury lawyer?
As soon as you have gotten medical care and know the injury is more than minor, usually within the first days or weeks. Early is better because the most important evidence, such as surveillance video and vehicle data, can disappear quickly, and because the first conversations with insurers shape the claim. A free consultation costs you nothing.
Your health comes first. Get checked out, follow your doctor’s advice, and keep your appointments. Once that is underway, a call to a lawyer makes sense if any of these apply:
- You went to the ER or hospital, or a doctor recommends imaging, injections or surgery.
- The other side’s insurer has called asking for a statement or to “get your side of the story.”
- You received forms to sign, such as medical authorizations or a release.
- A truck, rideshare, company vehicle or government vehicle or property was involved.
- Someone is blaming you for the crash or fall.
If you are still deciding whether you need help at all, start with do I need a personal injury lawyer.
Should you call a lawyer before giving a recorded statement?
Yes. The other driver’s insurer will often ask for a recorded statement within days of the crash. You are usually not required to give one to the other side’s insurer, and anything you say, such as “I’m fine” or a guess about speed, can be used later to argue you were not hurt or were at fault. Talk to a lawyer first.
Adjusters are trained to ask open questions while you are still sore, on medication and unsure of the full extent of your injuries. A friendly call can end up as a transcript in your file.
Your own insurance policy is different. Most policies require you to report the accident and cooperate with your own insurer. A lawyer can handle that reporting so that you meet the policy terms without volunteering more than needed.
For trucking cases specifically, see should I give a recorded statement after a truck crash.
Should you talk to a lawyer before signing medical authorizations or a release?
Yes. Insurers often send broad medical authorizations that let them pull years of unrelated records, and quick settlement checks that come with a release. Once you sign a release, the claim is usually over, even if you later need surgery. In California, a release signed in the hospital shortly after the injury is presumed fraudulent.
Medical authorizations. The insurer is entitled to see records related to your injury, but a blanket authorization can open your whole history. A lawyer usually gathers the relevant records and sends them, which keeps the scope where it belongs.
Releases. A release is a contract that ends the claim in exchange for payment. If it is signed before you know how badly you were hurt, the money may not cover future care.
California law adds a specific protection. A general release from a liability claim, signed during your first stay in a clinic or health facility for treatment of the injury, is presumed fraudulent if signed within 15 days after the stay begins or before you are released, whichever comes first (Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 6152, subd. (b)). Even so, the safer course is not to sign anything until you have advice.
Before accepting a quick offer, read should I accept the first settlement offer.
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How fast can evidence disappear after an accident?
Faster than most people expect. Stores, gas stations and many private cameras record over their footage on a rolling basis, often within days or weeks. Vehicle event data can be lost when a car is repaired or salvaged. Federal rules require trucking companies to keep driver hours-of-service records for only six months. A lawyer can send preservation letters right away.
- Surveillance and traffic video. Business cameras commonly overwrite old footage automatically. Public agencies have their own request procedures. See how to get traffic camera footage in Los Angeles.
- Vehicle data. Many cars record speed, braking and seatbelt use in the seconds around a crash. If the car is repaired, sold or crushed, that data may be gone.
- Truck records. A motor carrier must keep a driver’s records of duty status and supporting documents for at least six months from receipt (49 C.F.R. § 395.8(k)). After that, the company may no longer have them unless someone asked it to preserve them. Electronic logging data, dashcam video and maintenance files matter too; see truck black box and dashcam evidence.
- The scene. Spills get cleaned, broken steps get fixed, skid marks fade. Take photos and get witness names if you can.
A preservation letter puts the other side on notice that the evidence matters to a claim. Sending one early is one of the main reasons to hire a lawyer in the first weeks.
What are the deadlines for claims against a city, county or state?
They are much shorter than the regular lawsuit deadline. In California you generally must file a written claim within six months. In Texas notice is due within six months of the incident, and some cities require it sooner. In Washington you must file a claim form and wait 60 days before you can sue. Missing these steps can end the case.
| State | Government claim deadline | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | Written claim for injury or death due no later than six months after the claim accrues. A late-claim application may be made within a reasonable time, up to one year after accrual. After a written rejection, the lawsuit is generally due within six months. | Cal. Gov. Code § 911.2; Cal. Gov. Code § 911.4; Cal. Gov. Code § 945.6 |
| Texas | Notice to the governmental unit within six months after the incident, describing the injury, time and place, and the incident. City charter deadlines are also ratified and some are shorter. No formal notice is needed if the government had actual notice of the injury or death. | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 101.101 |
| Washington | Claim on the standard tort claim form, presented within the limitations period. No lawsuit until 60 calendar days after presentment; the limitations period is tolled during those 60 days. Claims against the state follow a similar rule. | RCW 4.96.020; RCW 4.92.110 |
This applies to crashes with buses, police cars and other public vehicles, and to injuries on public property or at public hospitals. For a California example, see claims against a city or county vehicle and the six-month rule.
What is the deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit?
In most cases you have two years from the injury in California and Texas, and three years in Washington. Exceptions can shorten or extend that time, including government claims, injuries to minors, and injuries discovered later. Lawyers need time to investigate and prepare, so waiting until the last month leaves little room.
| State | General deadline to sue | Source |
|---|---|---|
| California | 2 years | Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 335.1 |
| Texas | 2 years from the day the claim accrues (2 years from death for wrongful death) | Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code § 16.003 |
| Washington | 3 years | RCW 4.16.080(2) |
Uninsured motorist claims can carry their own clock. In California, for example, you generally must sue the uninsured driver, reach agreement on the amount, or formally demand arbitration within two years of the accident (Cal. Ins. Code § 11580.2, subd. (i)).
Full details, including exceptions, are in our personal injury statute of limitations guide for California, Texas and Washington.
Is it ever too late to hire a personal injury lawyer?
It is too late once you have signed a release or the filing deadline has passed without an exception. Before that, you can hire a lawyer at any stage, including after you have started the claim yourself or received a low offer. The lawyer takes over communication with the insurer and reviews what has already been said and sent.
People often call after an adjuster makes an offer that does not cover their bills, or after the insurer stops returning calls. That is a fine time to get advice. Bring the offer letter and any paperwork you have exchanged.
Turning down an offer has consequences too; see what happens if you reject a settlement offer. To see how long the rest of the process may take, read how long a personal injury case takes.
What should you do before your first call with a lawyer?
Gather what you have: the police or incident report number, photos, the other party’s insurance details, your own policy, medical bills and discharge papers, proof of missed work, and any letters or forms from insurers. Write down what happened while it is fresh. Do not post about the accident or your injuries on social media.
- Police or incident report number and the agency that took it
- Photos and video of the scene, vehicles and injuries
- Names and phone numbers of witnesses
- Insurance cards, claim numbers and adjuster contact information
- ER discharge papers, prescriptions and bills
- Pay stubs or a letter from your employer about missed time
- Anything you have been asked to sign
Then compare a few firms; our guide on how to choose a personal injury lawyer lists the questions to ask, and what a personal injury lawyer does explains what happens after you hire one. Beverly Law takes calls 24/7 at (310) 552-6959, in English and Spanish. You can also visit our Los Angeles personal injury lawyer page.
Common questions
How soon after an accident should I contact a lawyer?
Within days if you can, once you have medical care. Early contact lets a lawyer preserve video and vehicle data, handle insurer calls and track short deadlines like government claims. A free consultation does not commit you to anything.
Is it too late to get a lawyer after a year?
Not necessarily. In California and Texas the general deadline to sue is two years and in Washington it is three, so a year in you usually still have time. Government claims are different: California’s six-month claim deadline may already have passed, although a late-claim application may be possible within one year.
Should I see a doctor before I call a lawyer?
Get medical care first if you need it. Your health matters most, and medical records made close to the accident are also the strongest proof of what the injury was. You can call a lawyer from home afterward, or have a family member call for you.
Can I talk to my own insurance company before hiring a lawyer?
Yes. Your policy usually requires you to report the accident promptly. Stick to basic facts: when, where, and who was involved. Avoid guessing about speed or fault and do not downplay your injuries. The other driver’s insurer is a different matter, and you can decline its request for a recorded statement.
What if the insurance company already offered me money?
Do not sign anything yet. Ask for the offer in writing and talk to a lawyer about whether it covers your past and future medical care, lost income and pain. Once you sign a release, you usually cannot reopen the claim.
Do I need a lawyer right away for a government vehicle crash?
Yes. Government claims have short notice deadlines, six months in California and generally six months in Texas, with some Texas cities requiring notice sooner. Washington requires a claim form and a 60-day wait before suing. Getting the claim right the first time matters.
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Related pages
Should I give a recorded statement after a truck crash? · Should I accept the first settlement offer? · Claims against a city or county vehicle: the six-month rule · Truck black box and dashcam evidence · How to get traffic camera footage in Los Angeles · Do I need a lawyer for a car accident?
Sources
Important: This page is general information, not legal or medical advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Texas cases are handled by the firm’s Texas-licensed attorneys, Joyce Ondich and John Efstathiou. Last reviewed: November 8, 2026.