Questions to Ask Before Choosing an Indiana Personal Injury Attorney

Matt Boulton

Indiana Personal Injury Lawyer

Written by Matt Boulton, reviewed by Boulton Law Group on July 7, 2026

Originally published 2020–2023 across related posts, consolidated and substantially updated and expanded in 2026.

As of 2026, there are nearly 16,000 attorneys licensed to practice law in Indiana, and on paper any one of them can claim to handle your accident case, whether they focus exclusively on personal injury matters or not.

In addition to this number, a swell of television ads, billboards, bus wraps, and online choices are ever present, making the process of choosing an Indiana personal injury attorney feel urgent and noisy at the exact moment you have the least bandwidth to sort through your options.

When Indiana’s accident victims are unsure what to ask the firms they are considering hiring, it can begin to feel like analysis paralysis. And worse, they risk selecting an attorney that may not prove the most effective for their specific legal needs.

To help narrow down your choices, attorney Matt Boulton has put together this blog that takes a closer look at some important questions for you to ask, warning signs worth watching for, and an honest look at the big firm vs. small firm choice.

9 Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Indiana Personal Injury Attorney

Depending on the circumstances that led to your accident, there is a wide array of potential questions you can ask to help find the right Indiana personal injury attorney for your case, but until you have your own set of questions prepared, the examples listed below can be used as a starting point.

1. Will you personally handle all the work on my case from start to finish?

Ask this directly, because the answer at a number of firms will be no. It isn’t unusual for an accident victim to meet with an experienced attorney during the initial consultation, only to have the case handed off afterward to a paralegal or other firm employee.

At Boulton Law Group, attorney Matt Boulton personally reviews and handles every facet of his clients’ cases, and it begins with the first phone call. This means your case’s legal strategy, daily communication, and negotiations are never split between multiple staff or managed by a non-attorney.

2. Do you limit your practice to personal injury law?

An attorney who focuses exclusively on personal injury law devotes all their time to knowing and understanding Indiana’s negligence statutes. This type of dedication helps to ensure they’re in tune with the latest changes and able to recognize insurance company tactics designed to use those laws to their advantage.

And while there’s no rule preventing an Indiana attorney from handling car accident cases, family law, criminal defense, and bankruptcy all at once, the tradeoff is personal injury exclusivity.

In addition to one-on-one client service, attorney Boulton has strictly limited his focus and practice to Indiana personal injury matters, with nothing else competing for the firm’s attention.

3. How long have you practiced personal injury law in Indiana, and have you taken cases like mine to trial?

Look for an attorney with a genuine trial record, not just years in practice, since insurance companies may be more inclined to offer a fair settlement and maximum compensation when they know a firm is both willing and able to go to court.

At the same time, keep in mind that despite the importance of the trial experience question, a majority of Indiana’s personal injury claims settle without ever reaching a courtroom, and a skilled negotiator can resolve the overwhelming majority of cases that way.

Attorney Matt Boulton brings more than 30 years of Indiana personal injury experience to every case, with the trial experience and track record to back up every negotiation.

4. How does your fee structure work, and does it change if my case goes to trial?

Ask whether the firm works on a contingency fee basis, meaning payment is derived from a percentage of what they recover for you, and whether that percentage changes if the case goes to litigation. Percentages and fee structures can vary firm to firm, and a trustworthy attorney will spell this out clearly in a written retainer agreement before you are ever asked to sign anything.

Boulton Law Group’s Zero Fee Guarantee means clients are never charged for a case review or consultation, and the firm collects nothing unless your case is won. Additionally, you can also view our contingent fee retainer blog that lists a sample agreement containing points and explanations for each section.

5. What do you think my case is worth, and how did you arrive at that number?

For an attorney to be able to truly evaluate the potential value of your case, there are a number of factors that need to be determined, such as liability concerns, the extent of your injuries, medical prognosis, and the available liability coverages.

An experienced, reputable attorney can walk you through how case value is typically calculated and give you an honest read on whether they believe your case would benefit from legal representation. For example, if attorney Boulton believes the value of your case wouldn’t improve or benefit as a result of his involvement, he will inform you of the same.

Most importantly, if someone promises you a specific number during the first call or consultation, before they know the facts of your case or see any documentation, that confidence should concern you rather than reassure you.

6. What access do you have to expert witnesses and outside resources?

Depending on the facts of your case, building a powerful claim may require an accident reconstructionist, a medical specialist, an economic forecaster, or a vocational expert who can speak to long-term loss of earnings. These types of assets are most commonly called upon in matters that involve serious, life-altering injuries.

Attorney Boulton’s experience and reputation have allowed him to establish important relationships across various professional fields, allowing the firm to secure the necessary support when your case calls for it, rather than scrambling to find it after the fact.

7. What will you need from me while my case is ongoing?

A clear answer here can tell you a lot about how the relationship between you and your attorney may actually work day to day. For example, if you’re expected or asked to complete or perform tasks that are unrelated to your personal care and recovery, it may be a sign to look elsewhere.

Boulton Law Group asks one thing of clients: open, honest communication throughout the process. In exchange, attorney Boulton manages every aspect of the case strategy and insurance company correspondence, so clients can focus exclusively on their health.

8. What do your past clients and your peers say about you?

Look beyond the testimonials posted on a firm’s own website and check third-party sources like Google reviews and Facebook reviews. Notice whether the firm responds to reviews, which is a small but telling signal about how seriously they take client relationships after the case closes.

It’s also worth checking whether an attorney has earned recognition from peer-review organizations, such as Martindale Hubbell, that evaluate legal ability and ethics rather than advertising spend.

9. Does it matter where I live or where the accident happened?

Your city of residence and accident location should never limit your search for the right attorney. Email, video calls, and electronic signatures have made statewide representation routine and common practice, allowing accident victims to seek out firms based on merit and ability vs. proximity.

No matter the law office’s street address, you should also inquire if the attorney has access to the technology and ability to obtain your Indiana accident report, medical records, and insurance information tied to your case.

Boulton Law Group is headquartered in Brownsburg, but attorney Boulton’s current and former clients live in cities large and small throughout Indiana, from Indianapolis to Fort Wayne to Lafayette to Bloomington to Evansville and beyond.

Warning Signs Worth Slowing Down For

Just as important as knowing what to ask a personal injury attorney is recognizing the situations and answers that should give you pause. A few signs worth paying attention to:

The person who answers the phone is a call center representative, not someone who actually works at the firm.
You’re told your case will be “overseen” by the attorney but managed day to day by a paralegal or case manager you haven’t met.
You receive a call or text after your accident that feels off or spam-like in nature.
An attorney guarantees a specific settlement amount or outcome before reviewing your medical records or the police report.
The fee structure isn’t explained clearly, or the retainer agreement is vague about what happens if your case goes to trial.
You feel rushed, pressured, or unable to get a straight answer to a direct question.
An attorney makes an unsolicited visit to your home or hospital room.
You’re not given an explanation on potential timelines or how the case cycle typically works.

Big Firm or Small Firm: Why the Distinction Matters

Some Indiana personal injury firms are built around high case volume, with marketing budgets aimed at putting them front and center, even when the majority of people aren’t looking for their services. And while there’s nothing inherently wrong with that business model, it requires a steady and constant stream of new clients to support the advertising spend.

Attorney Matt Boulton spent several years as the lead litigation attorney for a large firm before founding Boulton Law Group. His experience during that time shaped a deliberate and strategic choice to build a client-first firm, allowing him to handle every facet of his clients’ cases from start to finish.

Boulton Law Group has equal access to the case resources and technologies employed by larger firms, meaning clients are never at a disadvantage or missing out when it comes to the manner in which the law views their case. The difference shows up in how the case feels day to day: you’re a person with a story, not a file number moving through a system.

What Happens After You Hire an Attorney?

Once you’ve chosen and hired an attorney, the next steps should begin shortly after. Within the first few days, your attorney should request and review the police report, begin gathering your medical records, and reach out directly to the at-fault party’s insurance company to prohibit them from making any further contact with you. From that point, your attorney’s job is to build your case while you focus on recovery: documenting damages, tracking medical treatment and lost wages, and negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf.

At Boulton Law Group, that process starts on day one with Matt personally reviewing the details of your case and outlining what to expect, so there’s no guessing about next steps or wondering who’s actually working on your file. You’ll know upfront what to expect and be kept informed throughout the entire process, whether your case resolves through negotiation or ultimately requires litigation.

About Boulton Law Group

Boulton Law Group is a top-rated, award-winning Indiana personal injury firm founded by attorney Matt Boulton, who has spent more than 30 years helping injured Hoosiers and their families recover compensation following serious injury and loss of life as a result of the following:

Attorney Boulton is licensed to practice in Indiana and Michigan and before the U.S. Supreme Court. Additionally, he holds an AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the organization’s highest peer-review distinction, along with recognition from Super Lawyers and membership in the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.

Zero Fee Guarantee

Boulton Law Group offers every personal injury client a Zero Fee Guarantee. This means you’ll never pay for a consultation fee, and there is no charge for legal services unless a recovery is made on your behalf. This simple promise allows for everyone, no matter their personal background, to have equal access to award-winning legal representation.

If you’re weighing your options after an Indiana accident, attorney Boulton is available for a free, no-pressure case review at 317-350-2680. If you prefer to write to attorney Boulton, you can send him the details of your story by using the firm’s confidential, free contact form.

No matter where you make your home in Indiana, your case gets the same personal attention from Boulton Law Group.