If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, you might be considering the idea of hiring a personal injury lawyer. And one of the questions that you might have in mind is: “How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?”
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer depends on a number of factors, including the experience of the attorney, the laws and regulations in your state, the size of the claim, and the type of injury. While some types of attorneys charge hourly fees, personal injury attorneys nearly always are paid via contingency fees. But what is a “contingency fee,” and how much will the lawyer get paid?
How Much Will My Lawyer Be Paid?
Nearly all personal injury lawyers are paid on a contingency fee basis. This means that the attorney gets a percentage of whatever is awarded to you in your case
If an attorney agrees to work on a contingency fee basis, it means that they will only get paid if you recover compensation from a settlement or a court trial. If you don’t recover any compensation, then your lawyer doesn’t collect any fees. In other words, a lawyer’s fees are “contingent upon” you recovering some amount of compensation.
The amount of your lawyer’s contingency fee depends on the case. The riskier and more complex a case is, the more likely an attorney might request a higher contingency fee percentage.
The usual contingency fee percentage is 33% (or ⅓). For example, if you receive a settlement of $50,000, your lawyer would get paid $16,500.
What Types of Expenses Are Involved in Personal Injury Cases?
In addition to your attorney’s contingency fee, there are also other expenses that come with handling a personal injury case, which typically includes:
- Police reports
- Medical records
- Court reporters
- Expert witnesses
- Trial exhibits
How these expenses are billed depends on the terms of your engagement agreement with your attorney—but most often the fees are deducted from the settlement at the end of the case.
Where Can I Learn More About Personal Injury Case Costs?
Getting injured is a traumatic thing in itself; worrying about your finances can make your situation even more stressful. The best thing to do is to consult a personal injury attorney if you need help understanding the costs and expenses of a personal injury case.
At 801-INJURED, it never costs you anything to hire our firm. We provide a free case review to ensure that you get the solid legal representation that you deserve. Contact us today for more information.
