Frequently Asked Questions

We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing upfront. You only pay if we win your case.

In the United States the contingency fee for a personal injury case is usually 33-40% of your total claim. But unfortunately, some attorneys will charge you hidden fees on top of the contingency fee—without making this clear. 

We don’t believe that’s fair. At Rodriguez Law Firm, your agreement is simple and transparent: no added expenses, no hidden charges, no last-minute surprises. This will be clearly stated in the first clause of the contract you sign when you hire one of our lawyers to represent you.

Here’s a quick overview of why Rodriguez Law Firm has 750+ five-star reviews on online platforms in our four offices:

• No Fees Unless You Win: your agreement is clear: if we don’t win, you pay nothing.
• 750+ Five-Star Online Reviews: trusted by hundreds of satisfied clients on Google Places, Avvo and Martindale-Hubbell.
• Bilingual Service (English & Spanish): we have a multicultural team, meaning you’re always understood.
• Immediate Medical Treatment: secured for you with no upfront costs.
• Full Case Handling: we take on the insurance companies, file your claim, and fight in court if needed.
• Instant Case Updates: via our client app, plus your attorney’s direct cell phone number.

Free & Confidential Consultations: no risk, just answers.

• Seek medical attention right away.
• Document the accident scene.
• Get witness statements.
• Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking with insurance companies.

Because insurance companies often try to settle quickly – and cheaply – before you understand your rights. 

As Dagoberto J. Rodriguez explained on Instagram, insurance representatives may offer a small payment soon after your accident in exchange for signing a release form that prevents you from ever pursuing additional compensation.

By calling a car accident lawyer first, you’ll have someone protecting your interests, reviewing documents, and ensuring you recover the full compensation you deserve.

Most states give you two years from the accident to file a claim. Consult a lawyer as soon as possible to protect your rights.

It depends. The main factors are the severity of your injuries, the at-fault party’s financial status, and the limits of relevant insurance policies. If the at-fault driver was employed by a company, then the insurance policy could be higher than normal—in one of our case results, for example, Rodriguez Law Firm secured a €1 million claim for a client.

But it’s important to understand how personal injury claims work. During an interview on the Rodriguez Law Firm YouTube channel, the owner of 57 Insurance Agency, Manuel Diaz, explained how an insurance payout is supposed to help a vehicle accident victim “return to the same or a similar state” as before the accident. 

This means you get compensation that is equivalent to:

• The costs of your medical treatment
• The costs of your lost wages
• Multiplying these by the intensity of your emotional suffering
• The future costs of these three elements

In the case of the $1 million payout, the client was the family member of a victim who tragically lost their life following an automobile accident. For more information, contact Rodriguez Law Firm for a free case review.

Yes! Many states use comparative negligence laws, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partially at fault. Our attorneys will assess your case and guide you through the highly recommended course of action.

Insurance companies may deny claims. If denied, a car accident lawyer can challenge the decision and negotiate with the insurer. If needed, legal action can ensure you get the compensation you deserve.

Minor accidents can lead to worsening injuries. A lawyer ensures you receive fair compensation and helps you understand your rights.

Yes. 

Dagoberto recommends that you always call the police, even for minor collisions. As he explains on Instagram, the police accident report is a vital document that can strengthen your personal injury claim or protect you from false counterclaims. It provides an objective record of what happened and may note traffic or criminal infractions committed by the at-fault driver.

This is crucial evidence your car accident attorney can use to help prove liability.

No. Your criminal record has nothing to do with your right to recover compensation. 

As Dagoberto explains on Instagram, a successful personal injury claim depends only on proving that you were injured, received treatment, and that another driver or third party was at fault. The only time you can lose your case is if you’re not fully truthful about your role in the accident or if you can’t provide evidence of your injuries.

Sometimes, but usually only by a small amount. 

As Dagoberto explains on Instagram, he’s seen cases where insurance companies raise premiums by just $5–$10 a month after a claim. That’s a small price to pay for potentially receiving thousands of dollars in compensation. In many cases, your payments won’t increase at all — especially if the accident wasn’t your fault, you have no prior claims, and no history of traffic violations or reckless driving.

18. Compensation awarded to a minor is usually held until the child turns 18. 

As Dagoberto explains on Instagram, a judge must typically approve any settlement involving a minor. The funds are then placed in a court-controlled or escrow account, ensuring that only the child can access the money once they reach legal age.

Yes — you can change attorneys as long as your case is still open and you haven’t accepted a settlement. If you’re not satisfied with your current representation, you have the right to hire a new lawyer to take over your case and protect your interests moving forward.

1. The success of your case depends on proving you were injured. 

As Dagoberto Rodriguez explains on Instagram, around 90% of your claim is based on documented evidence of your injuries. You must obtain an official medical evaluation or diagnosis immediately after the accident.

At Rodriguez Law Firm, we often hear excuses like, “I didn’t go to the doctor because I didn’t have money or insurance.” While we understand those situations, we often have to decline taking on cases like this. If 14 days pass after your accident without a medical evaluation, your personal injury claim becomes very difficult to prov —and unfortunately, not having money or insurance is not considered a valid excuse under the law. 

Once you’ve been evaluated, Rodriguez Law Firm can connect you with our network of doctors to continue your treatment at no cost while we pursue your compensation claim.

It depends on the details of your case. 

As Dagoberto Rodriguez explains on Instagram, the timeline varies based on your injuries, treatment, and the size of your claim. The larger the compensation amount, the more likely the insurance company will fight back — which can delay the process. If your case goes to court, it may take over a year to resolve. 

However, if you didn’t require surgery and only needed physiotherapy or chiropractic treatment, most cases settle within six to eight months.

As Dagoberto Rodriguez explains on YouTube, there are four key factors that determine whether you likely have a valid personal injury claim:

1. Was the other person 100% responsible for the accident you were involved in?
2. Did you suffer injuries as a result of the accident?
3. Did you receive medical treatment right after the accident occurred?
4. Are you filing your claim within two years of the date of the accident?

    

There’s some flexibility around each of these questions, but if you can confidently answer “yes” to all four, then you almost certainly have a case. To find out for sure, contact Rodriguez Law Firm today for a free consultation and case review.

Can I file a compensation claim if I don’t have legal immigration status?

Yes — you can still receive compensation even if you are undocumented. As Dagoberto Rodriguez explains on Instagram, this is an issue he has personally addressed before Supreme Courts in the United States, and the law is clear: your immigration status does not prevent you from filing or winning a personal injury claim. Government immigration authorities will not be notified simply because you filed a case.

In another Instagram video, Dagoberto shares how Rodriguez Law Firm once represented an undocumented client who was hit by a vehicle belonging to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—and we won the case. 

Your rights to compensation and justice apply regardless of your status.