How much does it cost to hire Michael for a car accidents case?

Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Michael walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

Does Michael offer a free consultation?

Michael charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michael's office. Some car accidents attorneys offer free consults — check Michael's current terms during booking.

How long do car accidents cases in California typically take?

Simple car accidents matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Michael gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

Can Michael take my case if I'm outside San Diego?

Michael is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Michael will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

What should I bring to my first meeting with Michael?

Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Michael will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

Is Michael accepting new car accidents clients right now?

Michael's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Unclaimed · Is this you?

Michael Pines, Car Accidents Attorney in San Diego, California

Over 37 years of legal practice · focused on Car Accidents, General, and Personal Injury · 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

PresidentatLaw Offices Of Michael Pines Apc

San Diego, CA

Practicing car accidents in San Diego since 1989.

37+: Years practicing
5.0 ★: 1 client review
1: Bar admission

Practices in

Car Accidents General Personal Injury Product Liability Wrongful Death

Are you Michael Pines?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

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Quick answer

Michael Pines is a president based in San Diego, CA. The practice focuses on Car Accidents, General, and Personal Injury. Michael has over 37 years of legal experience. Currently practicing at Law Offices Of Michael Pines Apc. Rated 5.0 out of 5 from 1 client review.

Based in: San Diego, CA
Experience: over 37 years
Known for: Car Accidents · General · Personal Injury

Handles Car Accidents, General, and Personal Injury matters from San Diego, CA.
Over 37 years of practice as a licensed attorney.
Recognized with BV Distinguished.

Areas of practice

Legal matters Michael takes on

Michael concentrates on car accidents, general, personal injury, product liability, and wrongful death. Each area below outlines the kind of case Michael handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Car Accidents cases in San Diego, California

Michael takes car accidents matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

General cases in San Diego, California

Michael takes general matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

Personal Injury cases in San Diego, California

Michael takes personal injury matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

Product Liability cases in San Diego, California

Michael takes product liability matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

Wrongful Death cases in San Diego, California

Michael takes wrongful death matters in San Diego, California. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Michael agrees to represent you.

Biography

Meet Michael Pines — car accidents lawyer in San Diego

Michael Pines is a former insurance company attorney who has also represented major corporations such as Pepsi Cola and Arrowhead Water. He has also represented real estate developers and various HMOs and has handled medical malpractice cases filed against doctors, dentists and pharmaceutical companies. While he was an insurance attorney, Michael learned from behind the scenes how insurance companies work and how they decide how much to pay injured people. Now that he works against insurance companies, Michael's inside knowledge has resulted in significant benefits to his clients injured in car accidents. Michael knows the entire range of benefits that insurance companies are willing to pay if legal arguments are presented correctly and losses are assigned. On a personal note, Michael was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1957 and later grew up in the Southern states of Kentucky, Tennessee and Louisiana. When Michael was 14, he had to cope with the tragic loss of his father, but his determination and work ethic kept him strong. While attending college at the University of Irvine, Michael worked full time at a grocery store to pay his bills yet still graduated in less than three years. He then received a rull scholarship to go to the Hastings School of Law at the University of California in San Francisco - consistently recognized as one of the nation's best law schools.

Working with Michael on a car accidents matter

Who Michael represents

Michael reviews new inquiries case-by-case for car accidents, general, and personal injury matters in San Diego and the surrounding California area.

Credentials

Education, bar admissions, and languages

Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco
J.D. · 1987
University of California
B.A. Political · 1984

Jurisdictions

Michael's state bar admissions

California
1989 · ACTIVE

Michael studied at J.D. in Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco and B.A. Political in University of California.

Law school and academic background

Michael completed J.D. in Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco and B.A. Political in University of California. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Michael runs in California is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Recognition and thought leadership

Michael has received 1 formal recognition from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

BV Distinguished

Legal awards and honors

BV Distinguished.

Affiliations

Michael's professional memberships and bar associations

American Association for Justice Consumer Attorneys of San Diego Consumer Attorneys Association of Los Angeles Consumer Attorneys of California
membership

Locations

Michael Pines's office in San Diego

Michael's primary office is at 4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 575, San Diego, CA, 92122. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

Law Offices Of Michael Pines Apc

4660 La Jolla Village Drive, Suite 575

San Diego, CA 92122

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Client feedback

Client reviews of Michael Pines — 5.0/5 rating from 1 verified client review

Every review below is from a verified client of Michael. Reviews cover communication, case outcome, and value — the three signals that matter most when comparing car accidents attorneys in San Diego.

5.0

1 client review

Client ratings are sourced from public records and editorial research. Reviews on LawyersListed are accepted from verified clients once Michael Pines claims this profile.

Read all reviews

Hiring guide

How to hire Michael Pines — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new car accidents attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Michael usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Michael charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michael's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Michael will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a car accidents attorney in San Diego, California

A short list to run through before you commit: How many car accidents matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Michael

Michael discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in car accidents practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every car accidents matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Michael confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Michael's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many car accidents practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Michael Pines

How much does it cost to hire Michael for a car accidents case?
Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Michael walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.
Does Michael offer a free consultation?
Michael charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Michael's office. Some car accidents attorneys offer free consults — check Michael's current terms during booking.
How long do car accidents cases in California typically take?
Simple car accidents matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Michael gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.
Can Michael take my case if I'm outside San Diego?
Michael is licensed in California. Matters governed by California law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Michael will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.
What should I bring to my first meeting with Michael?
Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Michael will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.
Is Michael accepting new car accidents clients right now?
Michael's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Car Accidents attorneys serving San Diego, Los Angeles and San Francisco in California

Michael handles car accidents matters throughout California. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified car accidents attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Michael's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these car accidents attorneys in San Diego handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.