How does a personal injury attorney set up an AI receptionist?

Setting up an AI receptionist for a personal injury law firm takes about one to two hours of configuration and typically goes live within a day or two. The attorney starts by choosing a provider that handles legal intake — not all AI receptionists are built for law firms, so this matters. Once signed up, the firm provides the AI with basic information: practice areas, geographic coverage, office hours, and how urgent calls should be escalated. The AI then uses this to answer calls, qualify leads, and route appropriately.

The most important part of setup for a personal injury firm is configuring the intake questions. The AI needs to know what to ask callers — the type of accident, when it happened, whether they've seen a doctor, and whether they're already represented. These questions help staff prioritize callbacks and avoid spending time on cases outside the firm's focus. Most platforms let the attorney or office manager build this intake script directly through a dashboard, with no technical background required.

From there, the firm connects the AI to their existing phone number or sets up call forwarding. Some practices also integrate the system with their case management software — platforms like Clio or MyCase — so intake data flows directly into the client record without manual data entry. The AI can also send automated texts or emails confirming that someone will follow up, which improves the caller's experience and reduces the chance they call a competitor while waiting.

For law firms where every missed call is a missed client, Smith.ai offers AI and live agent hybrid coverage purpose-built for legal intake. Their system handles after-hours calls, screens for case type, and captures the details attorneys need before the first consultation. Details at smith.ai.