Whether you were injured in a slip and fall at the grocery store or your neighbor’s dog bit you, you may be able to seek compensation for your losses. Personal injury attorneys can help you pursue a maximum settlement for your case, but at what cost? Below, we cover the standard personal injury attorney fees so you know exactly what you’re getting into before seeking legal representation.
If you need a personal injury lawyer to represent your case, contact Accident Hotline at (888) 340-7454. We operate 24/7, connecting you with attorneys ready to represent your case.
Common Attorney Fee Arrangements for Personal Injury Cases
Personal injury attorneys generally use one of two fee structures when charging clients for case expenses. You need to understand the differences between these structures to determine how much you may need to pay for legal services.
Contingency Fees
The contingency fee arrangement is a common payment structure for personal injury lawyers, as it does not require any upfront payments and reduces the risks for the clients. With contingency fees, payments depend on the outcome of the settlement.
If you win the case or are awarded a settlement, you must pay the attorney fees by providing them with a percentage of your compensation. Should you end up losing your case, you typically do not need to pay the attorney any fees.
With the contingency fee structure, your attorney will gather your settlement check directly to collect their percentage amount before delivering the remaining funds to you. The percentage of recovery fee will vary between attorneys.
Hourly Rates
Hourly rates are less common for personal injury cases but still may be charged for unpredictable situations. With hourly rates, you pay a set rate for each hour of the attorney’s time. Under the terms of this arrangement, you typically must pay your full owed dues, regardless of whether the case wins.
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Other Fees Involved in Personal Injury Cases
Aside from fees the attorney charges for their time and work, you will typically face certain charges throughout the process. You may incur such charges on a contingency basis or as flat rates. The following are some basic personal injury attorney fees you might expect to pay:
Retainer Fees
Some attorneys who use the hourly rate structure require a retainer fee. The retainer fee is a down payment toward the hourly rate to ensure the client has enough funding to cover the attorney’s costs. Funding from the retainer will be subtracted to cover billed hours; then, any additional hours will be charged separately.
Case Evaluation Fees
Some personal injury lawyers charge for the initial consultation. If the attorney does not specify that the consultation is free, you may be billed a flat rate or by the hour, depending on their fee arrangement structure. Attorneys using the contingency fee structure typically do not charge this.
Investigation Costs
In certain cases, your attorney may choose to hire a private investigator for additional support in gathering evidence. They may also need to reconstruct evidence, conduct interviews with witnesses, and more. All of these investigations can come with additional costs that you may be charged for, depending on your fee arrangement and case outcome.
Court Filing Expenses
You may face court costs, such as filing fees, which will vary based on your case and location. Your attorney might cover these costs, include them in the hourly rate, or bill them on a contingency basis.
Expert Witness Hiring Fees
Depending on your case, your attorney may hire expert witnesses for strengthened opinions and knowledge regarding your case. Doing so can add more costs, though fees can vary based on their qualifications.
Medical Record Charges
Gathering medical records to support your case can occasionally come with fees. Medical providers and healthcare organizations may charge your attorney for record retrievals, which means you could face increased personal injury attorney fees after the case concludes.
Administrative Fees
Court cases can come with numerous administrative fees relating to document upkeep, case filings, and more. Depending on the scenario, your attorney may include these costs in their rate, or you may be charged after the fact.
The Percentage Personal Injury Attorneys Take From Your Settlement
With the contingency fee basis, your personal injury attorney will take a percentage of your settlement as compensation. Information from the American Bar Association shows that personal injury attorneys often charge around 33% to 40% as contingency fees for their services.
This contingency fee usually does not include administrative costs, court expenses, investigation costs, or the other fees defined above. In addition to the attorney’s set percentage, any number of miscellaneous expenses may be deducted from the settlement amount.
For example, if your attorney takes 33% of your settlement and you’re awarded $100,000, they will take $33,000. In addition, if the attorney needs to take another $20,000 to cover the costs outlined above, you would be left with $47,000 after fulfilling all payments.
In some scenarios, personal injury attorneys may greatly deduct their contingency fee. For example, if you can settle outside of court, they may offer the sliding scale option, where your fee lessens depending on how long they worked on your case. With a quick settlement, your fee could be reduced to around the 20% zone, depending on the attorney.
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Who Pays If Your Case Loses?
You must have a written fee agreement with your attorney to clearly understand who will pay the attorney fees if your case loses.
The primary options include the following:
- You do not reimburse any costs if your case falls through.
- You and your attorney split costs based on an agreed-upon percentage.
- You reimburse all costs for the case.
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Seek Fair Compensation for Your Accident Today
Now that you understand how personal injury attorney fees work, you can find a lawyer who meets your financial preferences. At Accident Hotline, our commitment to clients ensures that you’re connected with an experienced attorney for your accident-related damages. Call (888) 340-7454 today for a free consultation.
For a free consultation, call 888-340-7454
