Hiring a personal injury lawyer can feel intimidating, especially when you’re already dealing with medical bills, missed work, and emotional stress after an accident. One of the most common concerns people have is, “How much will it cost to hire a lawyer?” Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — meaning you don’t pay unless they win your case.
Here is how contingency fees work, what to expect, and how they benefit injury victims.
What Is A Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where a personal injury lawyer agrees to represent you without upfront payment. Instead, their fee is a percentage of the settlement or court award they recover on your behalf. If your case is unsuccessful, you owe the attorney nothing for their time and legal services.
This system makes legal representation accessible to injury victims who might not otherwise afford it.
Typical Contingency Fee Percentages
The most common contingency fee ranges from 33% to 40% of the recovered amount. For example, if you receive a $90,000 settlement and your lawyer charges a 33% contingency fee, the attorney would receive $29,700, and you’d keep the remaining $60,300 (minus any case-related expenses).
Some lawyers use a sliding scale, charging a lower percentage if the case settles early and a higher one if it goes to trial due to the increased work and time involved.
What Does The Contingency Fee Cover?
The contingency fee typically covers:
- Your lawyer’s time and labor
- Legal research and case preparation
- Negotiations with insurance companies
- Trial representation, if necessary
However, there are case-related expenses that are often separate, such as:
- Court filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Costs for obtaining medical records or police reports
- Deposition or transcript fees
Some law firms cover these costs up front and deduct them from your final settlement. Others may require reimbursement regardless of the outcome, so be sure to ask for a clear explanation of how expenses are handled.
Benefits Of Contingency Fee Arrangements
Contingency fees offer several key advantages:
- No financial risk: If your case is unsuccessful, you don’t pay attorney fees.
- Incentivized representation: Your lawyer has a strong motivation to win or maximize your compensation, as their payment depends on it.
- Access to justice: You can afford skilled legal help without upfront costs or hourly rates.
What To Ask Before Signing A Contingency Agreement
Before hiring a personal injury attorney, be sure to review the fee agreement carefully. Ask:
- What percentage will be charged?
- Are there different rates for settlement vs. trial?
- How are case expenses handled?
- What happens if we lose the case?
A good lawyer will walk you through the agreement and make sure you understand every part.
As our friends at Law Firm of Edward Blinder, PLLC can attest, a contingency fee arrangement allows you to pursue justice without adding financial strain to an already difficult situation. By aligning the attorney’s success with yours, it ensures your lawyer is invested in achieving the best possible outcome for your case.
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, don’t let cost concerns hold you back. Contact a qualified personal injury lawyer to discuss your case and explore your options — often at no cost to you.