After an accident, you’re dealing with pain, medical appointments, missed work, and phone calls from insurance adjusters. Choosing a lawyer is one of the most important decisions you’ll make during that time, and the first consultation is your chance to interview the attorney, not just the other way around. Whether you were hurt on a Houston freeway, in a crash near downtown, or in an accident anywhere in Harris County, the right questions will help you choose the right Houston personal injury lawyer.

Here are the questions we recommend asking any lawyer you’re considering, including us.

1. Who will actually handle my case?

At some firms, you meet the attorney once and then work almost entirely with case managers. Ask who will return your calls, who will negotiate with the insurance company, and who will appear in court if your case goes that far.

2. How much of your practice is personal injury?

A lawyer who handles injury claims every day will know the Houston courts, the local medical providers, and the tactics insurers use. Ask how long they have practiced in this area and what types of cases they handle most often, such as car accidents, truck accidents, or premises injuries.

3. Do you understand how the insurance company will evaluate my claim?

This question matters more than most people realize. Insurance companies use internal guidelines, software, and adjuster training to decide what a claim is “worth.” A lawyer who understands that process can build your case to answer the questions the adjuster will ask. Before founding Herrera PLLC, I spent more than a decade on the insurance side as a licensed Executive General Adjuster and claims counsel, and I also practiced as an insurance defense attorney. I know how claims are reviewed, valued, negotiated, and defended from the inside.

4. What is my personal injury case likely worth?

No honest lawyer can promise a number at the first meeting. A good one can explain the factors that will shape the value: the severity of your injuries, the cost of your medical treatment, lost wages, available insurance coverage, and whether the other side will argue you were partly at fault.

5. How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee, but the details vary. At Herrera PLLC, you pay no attorney’s fees unless we win or recover money for you, and you never repay case expenses we advance if the case is lost. Ask any lawyer you’re considering for the percentage, whether it changes if a lawsuit is filed, and whether you would owe expenses if the case is lost. Learn more in our guide, How Personal Injury Contingency Fees Work in Houston and Across Texas.

6. What is the deadline to file my case in Texas?

In Texas, most personal injury lawsuits must be filed within two years of the injury. Some claims, especially those involving government entities such as the City of Houston or METRO, have much shorter notice deadlines. Ask your lawyer to identify every deadline that applies to you.

7. What should I do (and not do) while my case is open?

Should you give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurance company? Should you post about the accident on social media? Should you keep going to physical therapy? Your lawyer should give you clear guidance from day one.

8. How will you keep me updated?

Ask how often you’ll hear from the firm, whether you can call or text, and how quickly you can expect a response.

9. Will my case settle, or go to trial?

Most cases settle, but insurers pay more attention when they know a lawyer is prepared to file suit and try the case in a Harris County courtroom. Ask about the attorney’s approach.

10. Can we talk in Spanish?

If Spanish is the language you’re most comfortable in, you deserve to understand every part of your case. At Herrera PLLC, consultations and case communication are available in English and Spanish, and we proudly serve families across Houston’s East End and the greater Houston area. El Abogado a tu Lado.

Ready to ask your questions? Contact Herrera PLLC at 832.891.3210 for a free personal injury consultation. Our office is located in Houston’s EaDo neighborhood at 2339 Commerce Street, #172, Houston, TX 77002. Not sure what to bring? See our checklist, What to Bring to Your First Meeting With a Houston Personal Injury Lawyer.

This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. Reading it does not create an attorney client relationship.