Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire Stuck Law Firm?

We handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. Our fee is a percentage of what we recover for you, and if there is no recovery, you owe no attorney’s fee. Case costs and expenses are addressed in the written fee agreement, which we review with you line by line before you sign anything. Consultations are always free.

What is my personal injury case worth?

No honest lawyer can give you a number in the first phone call. Case value depends on the severity of your injuries, your medical treatment and prognosis, lost income, how the collision or incident happened, the strength of the liability evidence, and the insurance coverage available. What we can do is evaluate those factors with you, for free, and tell you candidly whether the case is worth pursuing and what range is realistic as the evidence develops.

How long do I have to file a lawsuit?

Every state sets deadlines called statutes of limitations, and missing one can end your case permanently. As a general rule for most personal injury claims: California, 2 years; Florida, 2 years for most negligence claims arising after March 24, 2023; Washington, 3 years; Ohio, 2 years; Arizona, 2 years; Georgia, 2 years; Washington, D.C., 3 years. Important: claims against government entities often have much shorter notice deadlines, sometimes just months, and wrongful death and other claim types can differ. Exceptions can shorten or extend these periods, so contact a lawyer promptly rather than relying on any general chart, including this one.

What should I do right after an accident?

Get medical attention first, even if you feel mostly fine, because some serious injuries take days to show themselves. If you can, photograph the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries, and get the names and contact information of witnesses. Report the incident (to police for a crash, or to the property owner for a fall) and keep a copy of any report. Do not give a recorded statement to the other side’s insurance company before speaking with a lawyer, and do not sign anything they send you.

What if I was partly at fault?

You may still have a case. California, Washington, and Arizona follow pure comparative fault, meaning your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault but not eliminated. Florida (for most negligence claims), Ohio, and Georgia reduce your recovery and bar it entirely once your share of fault reaches a threshold around half. Washington, D.C. follows a stricter contributory negligence rule that can bar recovery for even slight fault, subject to limited exceptions. Fault allocation is exactly the kind of issue insurance companies exploit, so do not accept an adjuster’s opinion that the accident was your fault.

Should I talk to the other driver’s insurance company?

You generally have no obligation to give the other side’s insurer a statement, and it is usually against your interest to do so before you have counsel. Adjusters are trained to ask questions that minimize their company’s payout. Be polite, take their information, and tell them your lawyer will be in touch. Your own insurer is different: your policy typically requires cooperation, but even there it is wise to speak with a lawyer first if you are injured.

How long will my case take?

It depends on your medical recovery, the insurance company’s behavior, and whether a lawsuit becomes necessary. Some cases resolve within months of finishing treatment; cases that require litigation can take a year or more. We move cases deliberately fast, but we will not rush a settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known, because you only get one recovery.

Do you handle cases outside California?

Yes. In addition to California, Gregory is licensed in Florida, Washington, Ohio, Arizona, Georgia, and Washington, D.C. The firm has offices in Los Angeles, Orlando, and Toledo, and wherever your case arises in those seven jurisdictions, you work directly with him.