Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer – FAQs | Karns & Karns

Yes. You have the right to switch to a firm like Karns & Karns that prioritizes communication and aggressive litigation. We handle the entire file transfer for you.

Because they believe the only way to get maximum value is for the firm’s leadership to stay trial-ready and personally invested in every client’s outcome.

It refers to a firm’s financial ability to hire the best experts and litigate against giant corporations or the State for years. Many “referral” firms don’t have the funds to fight a major case to the finish like Karns & Karns.

Often, no. Many “billboard attorneys” are figureheads who refer cases out for a fee. At Karns & Karns, we handle our cases internally, providing the direct, aggressive advocacy our clients expect.

Insurance companies keep “books” on lawyers. If the owner is a trial-hardened veteran, they are more likely to offer a fair settlement to avoid a jury trial. If they know the firm only settles, they will lowball you.

We maintain a robust team of dedicated case managers so you always have a direct point of contact. You aren’t just a number; you have a professional team assisting with medical care coordination and legal updates.

No. Karns & Karns operates on a contingency fee basis. We advance all costs associated with the litigation, and you pay no legal fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.

You should ask: “Are you a trial attorney who still actively practices law and attends court?” Many law firm owners are merely the “face” on a billboard, whereas Bill and Mike Karns are seasoned trial attorneys in court regularly.

Darryl Meigs is a seasoned trial attorney at Karns & Karns who leads our fully integrated, in-house Sexual Abuse Division. A graduate of UVA Law and Stanford, Mr. Meigs ensures survivors are supported by the specialized experts they hired from start to finish.

Hiring a lawyer right away protects your evidence and prevents insurance companies from taking advantage of you. Surveillance video is often erased within days, witnesses forget details, and insurance adjusters begin building a case against you almost immediately. By hiring a firm like Karns & Karns quickly, you ensure that evidence is preserved and that all communication with insurers is handled by experienced attorneys who know how to protect your rights and maximize your compensation.

Look for key indicators of quality:

1. Documented results, including large settlements and jury verdicts.
2. Real trial experience, not just “settlement mills.”
3. Client testimonials, showing communication and care.
4. Experience with your case type, such as rideshare, truck, or abuse cases.

Karns & Karns has recovered over $300 million for clients and is known for both trial success and exceptional client service.

Be cautious of:

• Lawyers who guarantee a specific outcome — this is unethical.
• High-pressure tactics to “sign immediately.”
• Firms where you cannot speak to an actual attorney.
• Firms known for avoiding trial at all costs.

These warning signs often indicate the firm is not equipped to handle serious cases.

Ask the attorney directly:

• How many jury trials have you handled in the last 5 years?
• What verdicts have you obtained?
• Do insurance companies recognize your firm as trial-ready?

Insurance carriers offer significantly higher settlements to firms they know will go to trial — which is why trial experience matters.

You have the right to change attorneys at any time. Your new law firm handles the transition by sending a formal request for your file. You do not pay extra fees for switching because contingency fees are split between firms at the end of the case. Switching firms is common when clients feel abandoned, pressured, or ignored.

We immediately:

1. Notify all insurance companies that you are represented so they stop contacting you.
2. Launch an investigation and preserve evidence.
3. Help coordinate medical treatment with specialists.
4. Assign a case manager and attorney to guide your claim.

This allows you to focus on healing while we build the strongest possible case.

At Karns & Karns, evaluation begins within minutes of your first call or lead submission. Our intake team gathers details quickly, and an attorney follows up to review your claim and welcome you to the firm.

• Intake Representative: Gathers facts and prepares electronic retainers.
• Attorney: Reviews your case, explains legal strategy, and oversees litigation.
• Case Manager: Manages medical treatment, communication, and day-to-day progress.

This three-part structure ensures efficiency and constant communication.

For traumatic brain injuries, paralysis cases, or severe burns, choose a firm with:

• Financial resources to fund expert witnesses
• A proven record of multi-million-dollar recoveries
• Access to top neurologists, life-care planners, and economists

Catastrophic cases require expertise that smaller firms often lack.

There are no upfront costs. Lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning the firm only gets paid if they win. All case expenses — experts, filings, investigations — are advanced by the firm.

A retainer explains:

• The attorney fee percentage
• How case expenses are deducted
• Your rights as a client
• That you owe nothing if the firm does not win your case

Always read the retainer carefully and ask questions.

No. Even your own insurance company is financially motivated to limit what they pay. For UM/UIM claims, your insurer legally “steps into the shoes” of the at-fault driver and becomes adversarial.

Because contingency fee firms advance all case costs. You pay nothing unless the firm wins — ensuring access to justice for every injury victim, regardless of income.

Big firms have resources but often treat clients like numbers. Small firms offer communication but may lack trial strength.

Karns & Karns combines big-firm power with boutique-level communication, which is why clients often choose us over the “billboard firms.”

It is a percentage of the final settlement or verdict. It covers:

• All legal work
• Negotiations
• Litigation
• Trial preparation

Case expenses (experts, filing fees, depositions) are repaid only if the case succeeds.

Celebrity branding does not equal courtroom skill. Insurance companies evaluate trial risk, not TV commercials. Choose attorneys with verdicts, litigation experience, and a reputation for fighting — not just marketing.