Do You Qualify for a Personal Injury Lawyer? Here’s What You Need To Know

Whether you’ve been hurt in a slip and fall at a grocery store, a crash on the freeway, or a dog bite at your neighbor’s house, you might be asking the same question thousands of Californians ask every day: 

“Do I even qualify to hire a personal injury lawyer?” 

If someone else’s actions (or lack of action) led to your injury, you might have a case worth exploring. We break it down below, because not everyone speaks “legalese,” and we believe information should empower you, not confuse you. 

What Exactly Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do?

A personal injury lawyer helps injured people seek compensation from individuals, companies, or entities responsible for causing their injuries. This includes handling the legal legwork like: 

• Investigating the accident 

• Gathering evidence (photos, witness testimony, police reports) 

• Identifying insurance policies and hidden coverage 

• Negotiating with adjusters 

• Filing lawsuits if needed 

Whether the injury happened in a car accident, at a business, or on public property, a personal injury attorney’s job is to maximize your recovery, both medically and financially. 

“What most people don’t realize is that personal injury law isn’t a blame-game,” explains Arthur Dermendjian, Pre-Litigation Managing Attorney at J&Y Law. “When someone else’s choices reroute your life, you’re not asking for a handout. You’re asking to be made whole under the law. That’s a right, not a favor.” 

What Types of Injuries Qualify for a Personal Injury Claim?

Personal injury claims aren’t just for catastrophic accidents. They’re for any injury that interrupts your life and was caused by someone else’s negligence. 

Here are examples of qualifying injuries: 

• Broken bones from a fall on unsafe stairs 

• Whiplash from a rear-end crash 

• Concussions or TBIs (traumatic brain injuries) 

• Burn injuries from defective products 

• Emotional trauma from a physical assault 

• Soft tissue injuries that limit movement or cause chronic pain 

If you’ve needed medical treatment – even if you didn’t go to the ER right away – it’s worth speaking to a lawyer. 

What Kind of Proof Do I Need?

To file a valid personal injury claim in California, your lawyer will usually look for three things: 

1. Duty of Care – Was the other party supposed to act in a safe, responsible way? 
2. Breach of Duty – Did they fail to meet that duty (e.g., texting while driving, leaving a spill unattended)? 
3. Damages – Did that failure result in actual harm like medical bills, missed work, or physical/emotional pain? 

Even if you’re not sure you can prove it, a qualified attorney can investigate and build the case for you.

What If the Injury Was Partly My Fault?

You can still file a claim in California, even if you were partially at fault. 

California follows a pure comparative negligence rule. That means your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault, but not eliminated. 

Example: If you’re found to be 20% at fault for an accident, and your damages total $100,000, you could still recover $80,000. 

What About Insurance? Do I Have to Go Through Mine?

Often, yes, but the at-fault party’s insurance is typically responsible for covering your damages. 

A good personal injury lawyer will: 

• Identify all insurance policies involved (including umbrella policies or employer coverage) 

• Negotiate with adjusters who are trained to downplay your injuries 

• Challenge delays, denials, or lowball offers 

Remember: insurance companies are not on your side. Their job is to pay out as little as possible. Our job is to hold them accountable. 

How Do I Know If It’s Worth Pursuing?

This is one of the most common questions we get at J&Y Law.  Here’s a quick checklist to help: 

✅ You were injured in an accident
✅ Someone else may have caused it
✅ You’ve had to seek medical care
✅ You’ve missed work or daily activities
✅ You’re overwhelmed with bills, paperwork, or insurance calls
✅ You’re unsure what your case might be worth 

If you answered “yes” to two or more of the above, you likely qualify for legal representation. 

Does It Cost Anything to Talk to a Lawyer?

At J&Y Law, your consultation is always free. In fact, we don’t charge any legal fees unless we win your case. So, there’s no risk in reaching out.  

Real Examples of Cases That Qualified

Some of the most impactful cases we’ve handled didn’t start with big offers. Insurance companies start by trying to pay as little as possible (or nothing at all). Here’s what happened when our team at J&Y Law stepped in: 

• Construction Accident: Insurance offered $250,000. We secured $6.5 million. 

• Forklift Injury: No offer was made. We won $6 million for our client. 

• Wrongful Death: Despite no initial offer, our team recovered $5.25 million. 

• Bicycle Accident: The initial offer was $350,000. Final settlement? $3.65 million. 

• Premises Liability (Trip & Fall): A $500,000 offer was turned into $3.5 million. 

• Car Accident: The offer was just $100,000. We secured $2.65 million. 

None of these victims were sure they had a case at first. Then they called, and that call changed everything. 

“By the time most clients call us, they’ve already been gaslit by insurance adjusters, overwhelmed by paperwork, and made to feel like their pain is an inconvenience,” says Dermendjian. “For a lot of people, that first call is the first time they feel heard. After the accident, the system treats you like a claim number. We treat you like a person. That’s when real advocacy begins.” 

Don’t Talk Yourself Out of a Case 

We hear it all the time: 

“I didn’t want to make a big deal out of it.” 

“I thought I was fine until the pain got worse.” 

“I didn’t think I had a case.” 

You don’t need to figure it out on your own. That’s what we’re here for. 

Speak With J&Y Law Today to Learn What’s Possible

We’ve helped over 10,000 people recover what they’re owed. With a 98% success rate and a team that combines legal expertise with cutting-edge tools, we’re ready to help you, too. 

Call (877) 735-7035 to schedule your free consultation. 

You’ve been through enough. Let our team handle the rest.