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Steve Kherkher - September 29, 2026
After a serious accident, finding a personal injury attorney may be one of the first decisions you face. You may be dealing with medical treatment, lost income, insurance companies, and uncertainty about what happens next, all while trying to recover.
With so many law firms and attorneys available, it can be difficult to know where to start or what questions to ask during an initial consultation. You do not have to know the law before meeting with an attorney. A good consultation should give you an opportunity to explain what happened, ask questions, and understand the potential legal process.
At Kherkher Garcia, we believe injured people should have clear information before making decisions about their legal representation. Based on more than 30 years of experience, we have compiled 10 questions we believe can help clients choose the right personal injury attorney. These questions can help you understand an attorney’s experience, approach, fees, communication practices, and what you can expect as your case moves forward.
One of the first questions to ask an attorney is if they have handled cases involving circumstances similar to yours. Personal injury law covers a wide range of accidents and injuries. A lawyer who primarily handles automobile collisions may have a different background from an attorney who regularly handles defective products. Ask the attorney about their experience with cases involving:
The goal is not simply to find an attorney who handles “personal injury.” Serious injury cases can involve complicated medical evidence, insurance issues, multiple parties, expert testimony, and disputes about responsibility. An attorney familiar with similar cases may already understand some of the issues that could arise during an investigation or lawsuit.
The attorney you meet during a consultation may not necessarily be the only person involved in your case. Ask:
A personal injury case can continue for months or, in some circumstances, much longer. Understanding who will be involved in the case can help you know what to expect from the beginning.
Attorney fees are an important question to ask before hiring a law firm. Many personal injury attorneys operate on a contingency-fee basis. This means that the attorney’s fee is generally based on the recovery obtained rather than requiring the client to pay a traditional hourly legal fee upfront. Ask the attorney:
For Texas attorneys, contingent-fee agreements must be in writing and signed by the lawyer and client. Texas disciplinary rules also require the agreement to explain how the fee is determined and how litigation and other expenses will be handled. Do not be afraid to ask an attorney to explain the fee agreement in plain English before signing any agreement.
This is one of the most common questions injured people have. It is one that deserves a careful answer because it is almost impossible to determine the value of a case during an initial consultation. The potential value can depend on factors such as:
In serious injury cases, the full extent of the damages may not be known until weeks or months after the initial accident. For example, someone who receives treatment may later require surgery, rehabilitation, additional treatment, or ongoing care. Similarly, the impact of an injury on someone’s ability to work may become clearer over time.
A responsible attorney should be cautious about promising a specific recovery before the facts and medical consequences are fully understood.
A strong personal injury investigation may involve much more than an accident report. Depending on the circumstances, an attorney may examine:
The type of evidence needed will depend heavily on the accident. A trucking case, for example, may involve driver and company records that would not be relevant to a typical car accident claim. Asking what an attorney expects to investigate can give you a better understanding of how the firm approaches your case.
Not every personal injury case involves only one potentially responsible party. Depending on what happened, a claim could potentially involve:
For example, a worker injured at a construction site may have an employer, general contractor, subcontractor, property owner, equipment manufacturer, or other entities involved in the accident. Determining who may have legal responsibility requires an investigation of the specific facts and applicable law.
There is no universal timeline for a personal injury case. Some claims may resolve through negotiations relatively quickly, while others can take considerably longer because of:
The complexity and seriousness of the injury can also affect the timeline. Texas law generally provides a two-year period for a lawsuit to be filed. That means an injured person should not assume that they have unlimited time to speak with an attorney.
Hiring a personal injury attorney does not necessarily mean your case will go to trial. Many personal injury claims resolve through negotiations or settlement. Other cases may require litigation because the parties disagree about responsibility, damages, or the amount that should be paid. Ask prospective attorneys how they approach both possibilities. Some factors to consider are how an attorney or firm handle:
The important question is not whether every case should go to trial. It is whether your attorney is prepared to pursue the appropriate path based on the circumstances of your case.
Before hiring an attorney, ask how the firm generally communicates with clients – phone calls, email, chat, and who you should communicate with directly. Communication is especially important when a case lasts for an extended period. You may want to know:
Texas professional-conduct rules address lawyers’ obligations concerning communication with clients. This includes keeping clients reasonably informed and explaining matters to the extent reasonably necessary for clients to make informed decisions.
Finally, ask the attorney to explain what happens after you decide to move forward. In other words, what does hiring the firm actually look like? While every case is different, the process may involve:
Understanding the general process can make your situation seem less complicated or scary. It can also give you an opportunity to ask what the attorney expects from you as a client and what you can expect from the firm.
The “best” personal injury attorney for one person’s circumstances may not be the best for another person and/or case. Rather than relying on a single factor, you may want to consider several aspects of an attorney’s practice. Some considerations include:
If you have been seriously injured, the decision to hire an attorney can feel overwhelming. You may be dealing with pain, medical appointments, lost wages, insurance calls, and concerns about your family’s future. You do not need to know all the answers before speaking with an attorney. Instead, use the initial consultation to ask questions and learn more about the attorney’s experience and skills. Asking the right questions can help you make a more informed decision about legal representation.
At Kherkher Garcia, we represent victims and families dealing with serious injuries or wrongful death. Our approach begins with understanding what happened and how the injury has affected you and your family. No matter the circumstances, we thoroughly investigate the events surrounding the injury and identify the potential paths toward justice and compensation.
We also understand that every case is different. A person injured in a car crash may face very different legal issues from a worker injured in an industrial explosion. Our team of attorneys carefully prepare each case based on the facts and the real value of your injuries and losses.
Our goal for every consultation is to help clients understand their rights and make informed decisions about their legal options.
Before ending your consultation, consider asking:
You can bring this list to an initial consultation and use it as a starting point for your conversation.
A serious injury creates questions that do not have simple answers. Utilizing a free consultation is a great way to ask questions and gain valuable information about your potential legal options.
If you or someone you love has suffered a serious injury, Kherkher Garcia can help. To get answers to your questions and learn more about our team of attorneys, contact us for a free consultation. You can start right now by calling 713-333-1030. Or, you can also reach out to us online via our website contact form.
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Steve Kherkher is passionate about serving his clients. He has dedicated his life to championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Steve Kherkher, along with Trial Lawyer Jesus Garcia, founded Kherkher Garcia, and under their leadership, the firm achieved unprecedented success within its first three years.
With a career spanning over 35 years, Steve’s tireless pursuit of justice for his clients has earned him national recognition and numerous accolades as an exemplary trial attorney.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorneys Steve Kherkher and Jesus Garcia Jr., who have more than 50 years of combined legal experience championing the rights of those who have experienced catastrophic injury due to negligence.
Connect with a Kherkher Garcia trial lawyer today to pursue maximum compensation for your injury.
