Sources and Methodology
This book was adapted from recorded conversations on Car Accident Attorney w. Robert May, a California personal injury podcast hosted by Robert May, the founding attorney of The May Firm.
The chapters draw from Episode 2 of the series, recorded in three separate sessions covering Bakersfield, Fresno, and Long Beach. The three recordings worked through the same underlying question set from different angles, and together they cover the full arc of the episode: whether representation is warranted, how contingency fees and case costs work, how medical bills and liens are handled, the deadlines that apply in California, how to evaluate a firm, what happens during a case, how cases are valued and argued, and how they resolve.
The biographical material in About the Author is drawn from Episode 1, The YOU Interview, a long-form founder conversation recorded separately.
Editorial approach: every substantive claim in this book traces to a recorded answer. Where an answer contained a qualification, the qualification was preserved rather than removed for readability. Where a detail could not be confirmed from the recordings, it is marked for verification rather than filled in. No case outcomes, statutes, credentials, or figures were introduced that were not stated on the record or supplied directly by the firm.
Source Recordings
| Source | Type | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Episode 2, Bakersfield session | Podcast recording | Whether a lawyer is needed, net recovery, contingency mechanics, fees versus costs, medical bills, the two-year deadline, government claims, Kern County specifics, first step |
| Episode 2, Fresno session | Podcast recording | Offers and releases, fee percentages, selecting a firm, free consultations, trial capability, medical liens, case valuation, demand letters, lien negotiation technology, Central Valley specifics |
| Episode 2, Long Beach session | Podcast recording | First weeks after hiring, investigation and evidence, represented versus unrepresented claims, insurance bad faith, recorded statements, social media, settlement versus litigation, venue |
| Episode 1, The YOU Interview | Podcast recording | Founder background, path into personal injury law, firm origin and structure, office geography, client experience philosophy |
Legal Notice
This book is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Legal outcomes depend on the specific facts of each case. Past case results do not guarantee a similar outcome in any other matter. Anyone facing a deadline or an active claim should speak with a licensed attorney about their particular situation.