Your free case review
Tell us what happened and we will connect you with a vetted attorney who handles catastrophic injury and commercial vehicle claims in your state. It takes about two minutes, it is private, and you are under no obligation to hire anyone.
Tell us what happened
One short form. There is no cost, no obligation, and no pressure to hire anyone.
MVA Lawyer Network is an independent referral service, not a law firm. Submitting this form does not create an attorney-client relationship and nothing here is legal advice. We may be compensated if you hire an attorney we connect you with. If you are facing an emergency, call 911.
Key takeaways
- It is genuinely free. You are not billed for the review, and the attorney is paid only if they recover money for you.
- You are not signing anything. Asking for a review is not hiring a lawyer. You decide after you talk to one.
- We are paid by attorneys, not by you. We are an independent referral service and may be compensated when you hire through us. We would rather say that plainly than pretend otherwise.
- Timing matters more than people expect. Filing deadlines and vanishing evidence both run against you from the day of the crash.
This page is written and reviewed by our editorial team to be accurate and current. It is general information, not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney.
01 What a case review actually is
A free case review is a short, private conversation about what happened to you. You share the basics, we look at whether your situation fits the kind of case our attorneys handle, and when it does we connect you with one. Nothing is filed, nothing is signed, and nothing is owed.
People hesitate to ask for a review because they think it commits them to something. It does not. A review is closer to a second opinion than to hiring a lawyer. You are finding out where you stand before you make any decision, at a point when the other side's insurer is already deciding what your claim is worth.
What it is. A few questions about the crash, the injury, and the state it happened in. Enough for us to tell whether a lawyer would likely want the case, and which kind of lawyer it needs.
What it is not. It is not legal advice, and it does not create an attorney-client relationship. We are not a law firm. It is also not a quote. Anyone who promises you a settlement figure from a two minute form is guessing, and a guess is not worth anything to you.
Sites that quote a number. No one can value your claim from a form. Anyone who says you are guaranteed to win. No honest lawyer promises an outcome. Pressure to sign immediately. A real firm gives you time to read the fee agreement first.
Bottom line: the review costs you nothing and commits you to nothing. The only thing you risk by asking is finding out you do not need a lawyer, which is a good outcome too.
02 What happens after you submit
We read what you sent, look at the crash type, the injury, and your state, and match you with a vetted attorney who handles that work there. The attorney contacts you directly and reviews it with you at no charge. You decide whether to hire them, and you can say no.
You tell us what happened
A few questions about the crash, the injury, and the state. It takes about two minutes and puts you under no obligation.
We review your situation
We look at the type of crash, how serious the injury is, and where it happened, to understand what the case will need.
We match you with a vetted attorney
We connect you only with an independent attorney who clears our checklist and handles this kind of case in your state.
The attorney reviews your case
The attorney speaks with you directly, answers your questions, and explains your options. That conversation costs you nothing.
You decide
You choose whether to hire them. If it is not the right fit, you owe nothing and you walk away.
We share your details with the attorney we connect you with, because that is the only way they can review your case. We keep it private otherwise. We use the word private rather than confidential on purpose, since real confidentiality begins once you have an attorney-client relationship with a lawyer.
03 What it costs and how we get paid
You pay us nothing, ever. The attorney offers a free consultation and then works on a contingency fee, commonly 33 to 40 percent of what they recover, so they are paid only if you win. We are paid a referral fee by the attorney, not by you.
This is where most referral sites get vague, so here it is plainly. You are never billed by us. The attorney gives you a free consultation, and if you hire them, their fee comes out of the recovery under a written contingency agreement, usually in the range of 33 to 40 percent depending on the state and the stage of the case. The attorney typically advances case costs such as experts and records as well.
We earn a referral fee from the attorney when you hire one through us. That is our business model, and it is why we can offer this at no charge to you. It also does not add a separate charge on top of your attorney's fee. You can read the full explanation on our how we make money page.
Bottom line: the injured person does not write anyone a check. That is the whole point of contingency work, and it is why asking early costs you nothing but silence costs you leverage.
Want to know where you stand? It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.
Tell us what happened
04 Why timing matters
Two clocks start on the day of the crash. One is the legal filing deadline, set by your state and commonly two to four years. The other is quieter and faster: the evidence itself, some of which a company only has to keep for six months.
People often wait because they are still in treatment, or because they assume the insurer will be fair. Waiting rarely helps and frequently hurts, because the proof that decides these cases sits on the other side's servers and is destroyed on a schedule that has nothing to do with your recovery.
A motor carrier must keep a driver's records of duty status and the supporting documents for six months. After that, the logs showing whether a driver was pushed past the federal hours limits can be destroyed on schedule and legally. A lawyer stops that clock with a legal hold letter, but only if the case is in front of one in time. Cornell LII
The deadline to file is set by each state and commonly runs two to four years from the date of injury, though some states are shorter. Claims against a government body, such as a city transit authority, can require formal written notice in as little as a few months. Miss the deadline and the claim is usually gone regardless of how strong it was.
Bottom line: you do not have to be ready to hire anyone to protect the evidence. You only have to get the case in front of someone who knows what to preserve.
05 How we choose the attorney
We do not rank or auction attorneys, and we do not sell your case to the highest bidder. We match you with an independent attorney who clears our checklist and actually handles your type of case in your state.
The defensible reason to use a service like ours instead of a search engine is that we screen first. Anyone can buy an advertisement at the top of the results page. Clearing a vetting checklist is harder, and it is the part that protects you.
Active, discipline-free license
Confirmed with the state bar. A public disciplinary history is disqualifying.
Real experience with your kind of case
They handle commercial vehicle crashes and catastrophic injuries, not the occasional minor claim.
Resources to fund the case
They can pay for reconstruction, medical experts, and life care planners against a well-funded defense.
Clear written fee terms
The percentage and who pays case costs if the case is lost are in writing before you sign anything.
The full method, including what disqualifies a firm, is on our how we vet page.
06 Do you even have a case?
Not every crash needs a lawyer. If you were seriously hurt, the injury is lasting, fault is disputed, a commercial vehicle was involved, or an insurer has already called you, it is usually worth having someone look. If not, we will tell you that.
We would rather tell you honestly that you do not need us than take up your afternoon. Here is a rough way to sort yourself before you fill anything out.
Worth a look if
- You were hospitalized, had surgery, or face a long or permanent recovery.
- A truck, bus, delivery van, or rideshare vehicle was involved.
- The other side's insurer has called or asked for a recorded statement.
- Fault is disputed, or more than one vehicle or company was involved.
- A loved one died in the crash.
- You are missing work or the medical bills are stacking up.
Probably not if
- There was little or no injury and you recovered quickly.
- Only property was damaged and the insurer is paying fairly.
- You already have a lawyer you trust on the case.
- No one has pressured you to sign or settle anything.
If you are somewhere in the middle and not sure which column you are in, that is the most common place to be. Our guide on how to find a lawyer walks through what to look for and what to ask.
Sources and authorities
The regulatory and deadline statements on this page come from primary sources: the federal regulations themselves and state filing law.
Federal commercial vehicle rules
- Records of duty status retention, 49 CFR 395.8(k)(1). Cornell Legal Information Institute.
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, 49 CFR Parts 350 to 399. FMCSA.
- Hours of service of drivers, 49 CFR 395.3. Cornell LII.
Deadlines and attorney licensing
- Filing deadlines, called statutes of limitations, are set by each state and vary. Confirm your deadline with a licensed attorney in your state.
- Each attorney's active license and public discipline history is confirmed with the relevant state bar. American Bar Association.
Our editorial standards
How we keep this page accurate and worth trusting.
Primary sources only
Regulatory claims cite the regulation itself, not another firm's summary of it.
Reviewed and dated
The page shows when it was last reviewed and is updated when the law or the data changes.
Editorial, not legal advice
This is general information to help you make decisions, not advice about your specific case.
Honest about how we operate
We are an independent referral service, not a law firm, and we may be paid if you hire a lawyer through us.
MVA Lawyer Network is edited by Michael Mangione, who has spent more than a decade in personal injury lead generation, client intake, and contingency based law firm marketing. He built this site to do one thing well: turn dense federal safety rules and real case law into guidance a hurt person can actually use, then connect that person with a lawyer worth their time. Michael is not a practicing attorney and does not give legal advice. Every legal statement on this site is sourced to primary authority, and independent attorneys handle the legal work.
Common questions, answered
General information, not legal advice. For advice about your specific situation, talk to a licensed attorney.
Is the case review really free?
Yes. You are not billed by us at any point, and there is no catch or trial period. We are paid a referral fee by the attorney when you hire one through us, which is how the service stays free for the injured person. You can read the whole arrangement on our how we make money page.
Does asking for a review mean I have to hire a lawyer?
No. Asking for a review is not hiring anyone and does not create an attorney-client relationship. You speak with the attorney, ask your questions, and decide. If it is not the right fit, you owe nothing and you can walk away.
Are you a law firm?
No. MVA Lawyer Network is an independent referral service. We are not a law firm, we do not provide legal advice, and we do not represent you. Any attorney you hire is solely responsible for your legal advice and representation.
What happens to the information I send you?
We share it with the attorney we connect you with, because that is the only way they can look at your case. We keep it private otherwise. We say private rather than confidential deliberately, because legal confidentiality attaches once you have an attorney-client relationship, not when you fill out a form.
How much does the attorney cost?
The attorneys we match work on a contingency fee, commonly 33 to 40 percent of what they recover, set out in a written agreement. There is no upfront or hourly charge, and the attorney typically advances case costs such as experts and records. If there is no recovery, you generally owe no attorney fee.
How quickly will someone contact me?
Usually quickly, though it depends on the case type and your state. If your situation is urgent, say so in the form. If evidence is at risk, for example a commercial carrier's driver logs, moving fast genuinely matters.
What if I already have a lawyer?
Then you generally do not need us, and we will say so. If you are unhappy with your current representation, that is a conversation to have carefully, since changing lawyers mid-case has consequences for fees and for your case. Ask your current lawyer first.
What if my case is small?
We will tell you honestly. Not every claim needs a lawyer, and a minor injury with clear fault and a fair offer often does not. Hearing that costs you nothing and is a legitimate outcome of a review.
Do you cover my state?
We connect people with attorneys nationwide, across all 50 states. Because injury law and filing deadlines vary by state, we match you with an attorney licensed and experienced in the state where the crash or injury happened.
What do I need to have ready?
Nothing formal. What happened, roughly when, where it happened, and what your injuries are. If you have the police report number, the name of the company on the vehicle, or photos, that helps, but do not delay reaching out to go find paperwork.
Can I do this for a family member?
Yes. Families often reach out for someone who is still in the hospital or who has died. Say that in the form so the attorney knows who they are speaking with, and note that who is legally allowed to bring a claim for someone else is set by your state's law.
How do you make money if I pay nothing?
Attorneys pay us a referral fee when you hire them through us. We would rather state that plainly than claim we are a neutral public service. It does not add a charge on top of the attorney's fee, and it is why we can be honest with you about when you do not need a lawyer at all.
What if I am not sure I want to sue anyone?
Most claims never become a lawsuit. Most resolve through a settlement with an insurer. Talking to a lawyer is not a commitment to sue, and understanding your options is useful even if you decide to do nothing.
Is there a deadline to reach out?
Your legal filing deadline is set by state law and commonly runs two to four years, but that is the outside limit, not the target. Evidence has its own shorter clock, and a motor carrier only has to keep a driver's duty logs for six months under 49 CFR 395.8(k)(1). Earlier is materially better.
Find out where you stand.
One short form. No cost, no obligation, and no fee unless you recover. It takes about two minutes.
Start my case review