Guide · Hiring a lawyer · All states

What happens after you hire an injury lawyer

Updated October 14, 2026By the Counselworthy team General information, not legal advice

Short answer

Your lawyer deals with the insurers for you.

In New Jersey, you get a signed copy of the fee agreement, your lawyer must keep you reasonably informed, you decide whether to settle, and a recovery ends with a signed closing statement.
The fee is figured after case costs.

Checked October 14, 2026.

Sources: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f); R. 1:21-7(b), (g); RPC 1.5(c); RPC 1.4(b); RPC 1.2(a); RPC 1.6(a); RPC 1.8(f); R. 1:21-7(c), (d). Every fact cites a source

Illustration: an empty office with a folder on the desk, two chairs and a city view

NJWhat happens, in order

You sign a written fee agreementSigned by you and the lawyer, with a signed copy for you. It says whether expenses come out before or after the fee.Source: R. 1:21-7(b), (g); RPC 1.5(c)
The insurers deal with your lawyerThe insurer's written updates on a delayed claim stop once a lawyer represents you on it.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)
You hear how it's goingYour lawyer must keep you reasonably informed and promptly answer reasonable requests for information.Source: RPC 1.4(b); RPC 1.2(a); RPC 1.6(a); RPC 1.8(f)
You decide whether to settleA lawyer must abide by a client's decision whether to settle.Source: RPC 1.4(b); RPC 1.2(a); RPC 1.6(a); RPC 1.8(f)
The money comes inA New Jersey insurer must pay within 10 working days after it receives the agreement, or after you meet its conditions, like signing a release, whichever is later.Source: N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e); N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)
You get a closing statementA signed statement of what came out of the recovery. The fee is figured on what's left after case costs.Source: R. 1:21-7(b), (g); RPC 1.5(c); R. 1:21-7(c), (d)

NJIf the case is for a child

A judge must find a child's settlement fair and reasonable. If it settles before a jury is seated, the lawyer's fee is capped at 25%.

Source: R. 4:44-3; R. 1:21-7(c)(6)

Sources

N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.6(b), (e)Cornell Legal Information Institute, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked October 7, 2026.
N.J.A.C. 11:2-17.7(a), (b), (c)(2), (c)(3), (e), (f)Cornell Legal Information Institute, New Jersey Administrative Code. Checked October 11, 2026.
R. 1:21-7(b), (g)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 11, 2026.
RPC 1.5(c)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 11, 2026.
RPC 1.4(b)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 11, 2026.
RPC 1.2(a)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 11, 2026.
RPC 1.6(a)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 11, 2026.
RPC 1.8(f)New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 11, 2026.
R. 1:21-7(c), (d)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 14, 2026.
R. 4:44-3New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 7, 2026.
R. 1:21-7(c)(6)New Jersey Court Rules, via Court Rules Network. Checked October 7, 2026.

General information, not legal advice. We don't know the facts of your claim. A lawyer can review them, and most injury lawyers offer a free consultation.

What to do next

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Questions people ask

What happens after I hire a personal injury lawyer?

Your lawyer deals with the insurers. In New Jersey, you sign a written fee agreement and get a copy, and your lawyer must keep you reasonably informed and follow your decision on whether to settle.

Who decides whether to accept a settlement?

You do. A New Jersey lawyer must abide by a client's decision whether to settle.

What if my lawyer doesn't return my calls?

A New Jersey lawyer must keep a client reasonably informed and promptly comply with reasonable requests for information.

How do I know what came out of my settlement?

When a New Jersey case ends with a recovery, the lawyer must give you a signed closing statement.