What a car accident lawyer costs: the contingency fee

What you keep after the contingency fee

Step 1 of 4

Settlement

Fee, in percent

Case costs ?

Medical liens ?

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Example

You keep $15,500

The fee pays off only if a lawyer raises the number by more than it costs, so call to see if yours will.

How this was worked out

The fee is $10,000, costs are $500 and liens are $4,000.

Call about the fee(833) 716-6705

The one-third contingency fee

A contingency fee is a share of your settlement, paid only if you recover. It is written into a signed agreement. Your state's bar rules require the percentage, and whether costs come out first, to be in writing.

Costs on top of the fee

Costs are what the lawyer spends on your case: medical records, filing fees, expert reports. They are repaid from the money. If Medicare paid any bills, it is repaid from the settlement before you get your share, per CMS.

When a lawyer is worth it

Say the insurer offers $12,000 directly. After $4,000 in liens, you keep $8,000.

With a one-third fee and $500 in costs, a lawyer has to settle for more than $18,750 to beat that. At $30,000 you keep $15,500.

• A fracture, surgery or a concussion with lasting symptoms.
• A fight over who caused the crash.
• An offer below your bills and lost pay.
• A deadline to sue that is getting close.

When it isn't

On damage to your car only, a lawyer rarely adds enough. The same goes for a sprain with $1,500 in bills and an offer that already pays them twice. The free call tells you which case you have.

Contingency fee questions

What is meant by contingency fee?

The lawyer is paid a share of what you recover, and nothing if you recover nothing. You sign the fee in writing before the work starts.

What do most lawyers charge for a contingency fee?

About one-third of the recovery is common, often rising toward 40 percent if a lawsuit goes forward. The exact percentage is in the written agreement you sign.

Do I need a lawyer for a car accident?

Often yes for a fracture, surgery, a fault fight or an offer below your bills. For car damage only, a lawyer rarely adds enough. A free call tells you which one you have.

Are costs taken out before or after the fee?

It depends on your agreement, which must say so in writing. Costs taken out first leave a smaller base for the fee.

What to do now

Call about the fee(833) 716-6705

We answer 24/7, review your case free, and pair you with a car accident lawyer: no fee unless you win.

Once you sign a release or a fee agreement, the terms are hard to undo. Most states give you two or three years to file an injury lawsuit, and that clock is already running. Call now and send your offer and fee agreement for a free review before you sign anything.

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