What Really Happens After You Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer? 10 Things You Should Know
Injured in an accident in Nevada? Before your case gets underway, here’s an honest, plain-language breakdown of what to expect, from a law firm that has guided countless injury victims through every stage of the process.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Hiring a personal injury attorney at Sam & Ash Injury Law costs nothing upfront. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning our fee is a percentage of the compensation we recover for you. If we don’t win your case, you don’t owe us a fee. There is no financial risk to getting legal representation after an accident in Nevada.
Is the Settlement Amount the Same as What I’ll Take Home?
No — and this is one of the most important things to understand before your case begins. The gross settlement is the total amount the insurance company agrees to pay. Before that money reaches you, attorney’s fees, case costs advanced on your behalf, and any medical liens are paid from it first. What remains is your net recovery — the amount you actually receive. At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we provide every client with a full, transparent settlement breakdown before anything is signed.
What Is a Medical Lien, and Will It Affect My Settlement?
A medical lien is a legal claim against your settlement by anyone who paid for your medical care after the accident. This includes health insurance companies, Medicare, Medicaid, hospitals, and medical providers who treated you under a letter of protection. Under Nevada law, these parties have a right to be reimbursed from your settlement proceeds — regardless of who was at fault in the accident.
This surprises many clients who expect to receive the full settlement amount. It shouldn’t. Liens are a standard part of personal injury cases, and resolving them is part of what your attorney does on your behalf. One of the most valuable services we provide is negotiating medical liens down, often substantially, so that more money stays with you. But they must be addressed — and knowing about them from day one prevents frustration later.
Who Handles My Medical Records and Bills During My Case?
Sam & Ash Injury Law handles the collection and organization of all your medical records and billing throughout your case. Your medical documentation is the backbone of your injury claim — it establishes the nature and severity of your injuries and supports the compensation we’re seeking on your behalf.
What we need from you: notify us immediately any time you see a new provider, receive a new bill, or receive any correspondence related to your accident or treatment. Never assume we already have it.
Should I Talk to the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
No. Do not give any statements — recorded, written, or verbal — to any insurance adjuster without speaking to your attorney first. Insurance companies may contact you quickly after an accident, sometimes within hours. They are not calling to help you. They are gathering information to minimize or deny your claim. If an adjuster calls, simply say: “I have an attorney. Please contact them directly.” Then call us.
How Long Does a Personal Injury Case Take to Resolve?
Most personal injury cases in Nevada take several months to over a year to resolve, depending on the complexity of the injuries, the insurance company involved, and whether litigation becomes necessary. Cases generally move through the following stages:
Intake → Medical Treatment & Recovery → Case Investigation → Demand Package → Negotiation → Settlement or Litigation
We cannot finalize your demand until you have reached maximum medical improvement (MMI) — the point at which your condition has stabilized and your full medical picture is known. Settling before that point often means leaving significant money on the table. Patience in this stage consistently produces better outcomes.
Can Social Media Posts Hurt My Personal Injury Case?
Yes — and this is more common than most people expect. Insurance companies and defense attorneys routinely monitor claimants’ social media profiles during active cases. A photo, check-in, or comment taken out of context can be used to challenge the severity of your injuries or undermine your credibility. While your case is open, do not post about your accident, your injuries, your physical activities, or your case on any platform — including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat.
What Are Case Costs, and Are They Different From Attorney’s Fees?
Yes, they are separate. Case costs are the actual out-of-pocket expenses required to build and pursue your claim — such as medical records requests, filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, and investigative expenses. Sam & Ash Injury Law advances these costs on your behalf so you never pay anything out of pocket while your case is open. At the end of your case, those advanced costs are reimbursed to the firm from your settlement, in addition to attorney’s fees. We communicate significant costs with clients throughout the process.
Do I Have to Accept a Settlement Offer?
No. You are always in control of your case. No settlement offer will ever be accepted without your explicit approval. Our role is to negotiate aggressively on your behalf, present every offer with our honest recommendation, and give you the information you need to make the right decision. The final call is always yours.
What Happens After I Hire Sam & Ash Injury Law — Who Do I Contact With Questions?
From the moment you become a client, you are assigned a dedicated case manager who serves as your direct point of contact from intake through resolution. You will always have someone to call with questions, updates, or concerns. At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we believe you deserve to understand your case at every stage — not just at the end.
Frequently Asked Questions: Personal Injury Cases in Nevada
Q: Do I have to pay medical bills from my settlement? A: If those bills are covered by a lien — through insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, or a letter of protection — yes, they are typically repaid from your settlement. Your attorney will negotiate those amounts on your behalf.
Q: What if I don’t have health insurance? A: Many personal injury clients treat under a “letter of protection,” meaning a provider agrees to treat you now and wait to be paid from your settlement. This creates a lien, which your attorney will resolve at the close of your case.
Q: Can I fire my personal injury lawyer if I’m unhappy? A: Yes. You have the right to change attorneys at any time. If you have concerns about how your case is being handled, we encourage you to speak with your case manager or request a call with your attorney directly.
Q: Is Nevada a fault or no-fault state for car accidents? A: Nevada is an at-fault state, meaning the driver responsible for the accident is liable for damages. Nevada also follows a modified comparative negligence rule — you can still recover compensation as long as you are not more than 50% at fault, though your recovery may be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Injured in Nevada? Sam & Ash Injury Law Is Here to Help.
Understanding the personal injury process — especially how settlements work and why medical liens exist — helps you make confident decisions and avoid unwelcome surprises. At Sam & Ash Injury Law, we’ve helped injured Nevadans navigate every stage of this process, and we’re ready to do the same for you.
Contact a Nevada personal injury lawyer at Sam & Ash Injury Law today for a free, no-obligation consultation. There are no upfront costs, no pressure, and no risk — just honest answers from a team that is entirely on your side.
Sam & Ash Injury Law serves injury victims across Nevada. This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every case is unique. For guidance specific to your situation, contact our office directly.
