How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Attorney?

Most personal injury attorneys work for a contingency fee, that is, a percentage of the award or settlement granted to the injured party after a successful verdict at trial or through a negotiated agreement.   In other words, the attorney gets paid only if you win the case.  This arrangement tells you that the attorney believes enough in your case to risk the loss of not getting paid, and that he/she will work hard to arrange a favorable settlement.

In shopping around for a personal injury attorney, you should ask about experience handling your type of case.  What results have they had?  Usual percentage rates may vary a bit but cheaper is not always better.  The average fee for successful personal injury cases usually amounts to about a third of the gross award.  Again, if you lose the case or fail to obtain a settlement, the attorney receives no pay for his services.  Some agreements do provide that the attorney may be reimbursed for out of pocket expenses. 

You also have a right to ask to be charged on an hourly fee basis regardless of the outcome of the case if you prefer.  In that case, you will be charged monthly for the lawyer's time but you will receive 100% of the verdict or settlement after expenses.  Some, but few, clients prefer this fee method. 

Your safest bet will be to consult with a personal injury attorney that has experience handling your type of case and discuss fee arangements and expenses up front.  Knowledgeable attorneys will have a written fee agreement to go over with you.  Remember, that most attorneys will meet with you FOR FREE to discuss your case and the terms of their services if you decide to retain them.

Articles contained here are not intended to provide legal advice, only providing general information. We encourage individuals to consult with an attorney regarding individual circumstances.