If you’ve been injured in an accident, one of the first questions on your mind might be, “How much is a personal injury attorney going to cost me?” Understanding how attorneys charge for their services can help you determine whether hiring a lawyer is worthwhile. Knowing the value they can provide—and why legal assistance might actually save you money—can make a significant difference when deciding to pursue legal representation. In this blog, we’ll address your questions about personal injury lawyers and explain why securing the right professional support could be one of the best decisions of your life.
How Are Attorneys Paid?
The Hourly Rate
The first billing method is the traditional hourly fee. Many attorneys, especially family lawyers, charge clients by the hour. This means that the lawyer bills for every minute spent on your case. The hourly rate is determined by the attorney and is typically based on their experience, skill, and availability. Rates can range from $150 to over $1,000 per hour. Most attorneys who charge hourly require clients to pay a retainer upfront, which can vary from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands.
The Flat Fee
The second payment structure is the flat fee arrangement, commonly used by some criminal and immigration lawyers. In this case, the lawyer charges a one-time fee for handling your case. If the matter is resolved with little effort, it benefits the attorney; if it’s complex and time-consuming, it benefits the client. Lawyers who charge flat fees are usually selective about the cases they take, as they want to avoid losing money on time-consuming cases.
The Contingency Fee
Many people with legitimate injuries cannot afford to pay hourly rates to pursue justice. Additionally, attorneys often cannot predict their time or costs in these cases. Therefore, personal injury attorneys typically work under a contingency fee agreement. Let’s take a closer look at this common billing method.
What Does a Contingency Fee Mean?
A contingency fee agreement means that the lawyer’s payment depends on the amount the client recovers in the case. If the client does not win any money, the lawyer does not get paid. Moreover, most personal injury attorneys will advance any fees and expenses incurred during the case. This means that if the client does not receive compensation, the lawyer not only loses payment for their work but also the money they advanced for costs. Due to the risks associated with this payment structure, personal injury lawyers only take cases they believe they can win.
A contingency fee agreement specifies the percentage the attorney will receive from the client’s recovery. Personal injury attorneys typically take between 33% and 45% of the recovery amount. Generally, the fee is 33% if the case is resolved without court filing, increasing to 40% if a lawsuit is necessary.
Example Calculation
For example, if you hire Pete, a personal injury attorney, and recover $100,000, he would receive $33,000 as his fee. If he spent $5,000 in costs, he would be reimbursed for those expenses. After settling any unpaid medical bills or liens totaling $20,000, you would receive $42,000 in cash.
Case Review and Consultation
Most personal injury attorneys offer a free consultation to review your case and determine if it qualifies for representation under a contingency fee agreement. If you would like to speak to an attorney about your personal injury case, feel free to call our office at 817.523.1232 to schedule a consultation. Alternatively, you can complete the form below, and our office will reach out within 24 hours to arrange a meeting with an experienced personal injury attorney.
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