Is It Worth It? Evaluating the Cost of a Personal Injury Attorney vs. Self-Representation

Navigating a personal injury case can feel overwhelming after a traumatic event. For many people, the thought of hiring an attorney seems unfeasible. So, what comes at a greater cost: hiring a personal injury attorney or risking it by representing yourself?

Below, we evaluate the personal injury attorney cost vs. self-representation risks. If you need legal resources after an injury, contact Accident Hotline for 24/7 accident support.

The Costs of Legal Representation in a Personal Injury Case

Legal representation comes at a cost. If you want an experienced attorney to dig up evidence, appear at your court cases, and remove the stress from the process so you can seek maximum compensation without months of hard work, you will need to pay. Here are some of the primary expenses you may need to fork out:

Upfront Expenses

Some personal injury attorneys will charge consultation fees or retainer fees, depending on their fee arrangement. If they use the hourly fee arrangement, the retainer fee acts as a downpayment toward your future hourly fees. The consultation fee simply covers the attorney’s initial investigation costs.

You may not have to pay upfront expenses, as many attorneys follow a contingency fee structure.

Contingency Fees or Hourly Rates

The contingency fee and hourly rate structures cover the attorney’s actual services and provided work. Attorneys typically select one of these two payment structures. Here’s how each structure works:

• Contingency fees: With contingency fees, you do not have to pay anything up front. Your payments depend on the outcome of the case. If your case pays out, the attorney will collect a percentage of your settlement to secure their payment.
• Hourly rates: With the hourly structure, you pay the attorney based on an hourly rate they set. You may have to pay them in full regardless of whether or not your case wins.

The contingency fee for personal injury attorneys is typically around 33% to 40%, not including the additional costs we will outline below.

Court Costs, Investigation Fees, and More

Beyond the personal injury attorney cost, you may face additional expenses throughout the legal process. Expenses may include the following:

• Investigation fees
• Private investigator costs
• Expenses relating to court filings
• Fees for hiring expert witnesses
• Costs for extracting medical records
• Administrative fees
• And more

In some situations, the attorney may cover some of these costs in their fee structure. You should carefully read through your fee agreement to understand what costs you’re in charge of fulfilling.

The Costs of Self-Representation in a Personal Injury Case

So, does self-representation cost less than a personal injury attorney? While representing yourself for a personal injury case may allow you to avoid that 33% commission fee or hourly rate, you will still face steep costs that can add up to far more in the long run. These costs typically include the following:

Time

Becoming your own attorney requires an enormous time investment. You must learn about the relevant legal proceedings, case filing deadlines, and other requirements, all while digging up evidence to support your case. At the same time, you’re likely trying to recover from the traumatic event while juggling your job, family, and other life stressors.

Most people aren’t capable of wearing this many hats. Unless you’re willing to invest significant time in your case, you likely won’t be able to give it the attention it requires.

Potential Financial Losses

Negotiating a settlement without a lawyer who understands your case’s worth means you could end up with lower payouts, unfavorable judgments, and even sanctions against you if you accidentally make missteps in the procedure. Legal professionals understand the ins and outs of settlement negotiation and have the legal experience to fight for your maximum compensation.

By representing yourself, you’re often accepting a significantly smaller settlement. While a lawyer may take a portion of your settlement, they can secure you larger settlements, typically allowing you to take home more compensation than you would if you represent yourself.

Research conducted by the Insurance Research Council shows that, on average, personal injury attorneys can secure settlements around 3.5 times higher than victims representing their own cases.

Emotional, Physical, and Psychological Losses

Representing yourself in court can come with a heavy burden as you’re attempting to recover from the traumatic event. You must dig up evidence from the accident and then discuss these items in detail with the court over numerous proceedings while attempting to follow complex legal procedures, deadlines, etc. Pro se representation can take an emotional, psychological, and even physical toll on your body as you’re attending these court dates and investigating your case.

An attorney can do this work for you, allowing you to heal and avoid these costs.

Court Costs, Investigation Fees, Filings, Etc.

While self-representation may help you avoid the primary personal injury attorney cost, you will still need to pay for basic court costs and other fees involved in the case. You’re in charge of any case expenses, from hiring a private investigator to paying for your medical records and court filings. Depending on your case’s complexity, costs can quickly add up to thousands or more.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer vs. Representing Yourself: What’s Better?

So, are personal injury attorney costs worth it? In many scenarios, the costs of an attorney greatly outweigh the burdens you would assume with self-representation, especially if you can find a lawyer offering contingency services so you don’t have to pay if your case loses.

If you’re still unsure whether you should seek legal advice, we recommend considering the following:

• How much money your case might be worth
• Any legal complexities involved in your case
• Any emotional, personal, or financial intricacies you have with the case
• Your legal experience
• Your available time and funding

Connect With an Experienced Attorney Today

Now that you know the personal injury attorney cost vs. self-representation risks, contact us at Accident Hotline by calling (844) 343-9609 to be connected with a personal injury lawyer near you.