The worst mistake people make is handing over immigration information that has nothing to do with the injury claim.

1. No, an insurer usually does not need your immigration status to evaluate an injury claim. If you were hurt in a Brockton crash on Route 24 or by a falling object at work, the real issues are fault, medical records, lost wages, and insurance coverage. In Massachusetts, undocumented workers can still pursue workers' compensation and can still bring many personal injury claims. An adjuster asking about papers, status, or where you were born can be a pressure tactic.

2. You probably need a lawyer if the other side is asking for a recorded statement, broad medical releases, or immigration details. That is where the trap usually starts. A lawyer matters most when liability is disputed, your injuries are serious, you missed work, or the insurer is trying to scare you into dropping the claim. If your injuries sent you to a major hospital like Massachusetts General Hospital or kept you off the job for weeks, this is not a small claim.

3. A real Massachusetts injury lawyer usually works on a contingency fee. That means the fee comes out of a settlement or verdict, not up front. In workers' comp cases, fees are tightly controlled by Massachusetts law and often must be approved. Ask exactly what percentage applies, who pays case costs, and whether costs come out before or after the fee is calculated.

4. Watch for red flags before signing anything. Bad signs include:

• pressure to sign the same day
• no written fee agreement
• promises of a guaranteed payout
• refusal to explain costs
• telling you to hide medical history or lie

5. You may not need a lawyer for a very minor claim. If it was a small bike or motorcycle visibility crash, you had little treatment, no missed work, and clear fault, you may be able to handle it yourself. Once the insurer starts fishing for unrelated personal information, that changes.

6. You can fire a lawyer mid-case if the relationship goes bad. In Massachusetts, you can switch lawyers. Do it in writing, ask for your file, and make sure deadlines are protected, especially the 3-year personal injury filing deadline and any Department of Industrial Accidents deadlines for work injuries.