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If you are worried about paying a lawyer upfront after an injury, a contingency fee may make legal representation more accessible. The vast majority of personal injury attorneys and law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. With this legal model, you generally do not pay attorney fees unless your lawyer recovers money for you.
Understanding how contingency fees work helps make you aware of what you may owe before hiring a personal injury attorney, and what costs may come out of your recovery. Learn more today by contacting NST Law Injury Attorneys.
Key Takeaways
- Contingency fees generally allow you to hire an attorney without paying legal fees up front.
- Personal injury attorneys typically charge a percentage of the settlement or court award.
- Case expenses are separate from attorney fees and may still apply if a case is unsuccessful.
- Your contract should explain attorney fees, case expenses, and what happens if the case is unsuccessful.
How Does a Contingency Fee Work in a Personal Injury Claim?
Under a contingency fee structure, you generally do not pay your attorney any money up front. Instead, they will receive an agreed-upon amount from the recovered settlement or court award, typically as a set percentage. This means that, if there is no recovery, you typically do not owe attorney fees, though your agreement may address other case expenses.
For example, if you are injured in a car accident caused by another driver, your attorney may negotiate a settlement with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. If the case results in a recovery, your attorney receives the agreed-upon percentage from that amount.
What Percentage Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?
Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee between 33% and 40%, or one-third to two-fifths, of the final settlement or court award. At NST Law, we charge a contingency fee of 33.3% of your final recovery. To paint a picture of how this might look, imagine your accident claim settles for $100,000. Our lawyers would receive $33,300, leaving $66,700 before other expenses or liens.
Legal Fees vs. Case Expenses: What’s the Difference?
A contingency fee is the attorney’s payment for handling your personal injury claim, while case expenses are the costs of building and pursuing the case. This means that your attorney will collect the agreed-upon contingency fee from your final settlement, as well as coverage for case expenses.
However, even if your case does not succeed, a contingency model may still require you to pay additional expenses, such as filing fees, medical record access, expert witness testimony, and deposition costs.
When working with any law firm, your fee agreement should clearly explain the percentage taken from your final settlement and how it will handle case-related costs. You can also look at client testimonials and case results to gain insight into a firm’s process.
What Happens if NST Law Does Not Recover Compensation for You?
Because we operate on a contingency fee basis, you will not be required to pay an attorney’s fee if our team is unable to secure a settlement for your case. Any additional expenses you may be responsible for will be clearly outlined in the contract agreement we sign before our partnership.
Before hiring NST Law, schedule a free initial consultation to get the clarity you need on how our process works. We can answer your questions and provide clear examples of our methods based on past verdicts and settlements.
Why Is the Contingency Fee Model Beneficial for Injury Victims?
A contingency fee can make it easier for car accident victims to pursue a claim without paying attorney fees upfront. This removes the initial financial burdens that often make people hesitate to seek professional legal support.
If you have questions about contingency fees or legal costs after a car accident, contact NST Law at 731-427-5550 to discuss your fee arrangement with one of our hardworking attorneys.
