If you are injured in an accident, one of the first questions on your mind is likely, “How much does a car accident lawyer cost?” With medical bills piling up, lost income, and the stress of dealing with insurance companies, the idea of hiring a lawyer might feel financially out of reach. But the truth is, it doesn’t have to cost you anything upfront. Let’s break down how legal fees work, what you can expect, and why hiring a car accident attorney is often the smartest financial decision after a crash.
A Car Accident Lawyer’s Contingency Fee Model
The typical way you will be charged is through a contingency fee.
A contingency fee arrangement is a payment structure where your lawyer only gets paid if they successfully recover money for you, either through a settlement or a court award. In other words, you will only be charged if your lawyer wins your case. When you win your case, the firm will then receive a percentage from the settlement or award from the court if the case is brought that far.
A typical contingency percentage can range from the low end of 25% to reaching as far as 40% of the settlement. In most cases, firms tend to want to have the 33% as it is a third of the settlement. An example would be if you are given $100,000 in your case settlement, the contingency fee of 33% your attorney would receive is $33,000.
How Do Car Accident Lawyer Fees Work?
Car accident lawyers have their fees divided into two groups: legal fees and expenses. Fees are contingent, meaning lawyers will collect a percentage of the damages that a client receives. Expenses are items that have to be paid for regarding the court case such as court filing fees. These expenses may be charged by the firm regardless of the outcome of the case.
What Is The Benefit Of a Contingency Fee?
The biggest benefit of the contingency fee is that the client will not be stuck with any cost if their case is not won. So in the end, payment only happens for an attorney if the client gets compensated. If your lawyer doesn’t win, you owe them nothing for their legal services, making it a low-risk option for injured clients who can’t afford to pay out of pocket.
Factors That May Affect How Much the Contingency Fee Percentage Is in Your Case
While contingency fees typically fall within a common range, several factors can influence the exact percentage for your case. These include:
- Stage at Which the Case Resolves: If your case settles before a lawsuit is filed, the fee may be lower. If it proceeds to trial or appeal, expect a higher percentage due to increased time and risk.
- Complexity of the Case: More complex cases—such as those involving commercial vehicles, disputed liability, or multiple parties—may require additional resources and justify a higher fee.
- Time and Resources Invested: If your case needs extensive investigation, multiple experts, or a long discovery process, the contingency fee might be adjusted accordingly.
- Potential Case Value: In some high-value cases, firms may be willing to negotiate a slightly reduced fee.
- Defendant’s Legal Tactics: If the defense aggressively challenges liability or damages, your attorney may need to commit significant time and effort.
- Firm Policy and Agreements: Some firms have set fee tiers based on case stages. Others may be open to negotiation. At Esquire Law, we tailor our approach based on your specific situation, and we make sure you understand the agreement from day one.
What Other Costs Might Come Up in a Car Accident Case?
Legal fees are only one part of the equation. Like most firms, there may also be case-related expenses, which can include:
- Medical records and reports
- Police reports
- Filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Deposition or investigation costs
These are necessary to build a strong case, and we’ll talk with you about how these are handled. Often, these costs are paid by our firm upfront and then deducted from your settlement. We can also discuss taking our fee from the net settlement (what’s left after expenses), which leaves more in your pocket.
Other Forms of Payments for Car Accident Lawyers
Understanding contingency fees and rates is important when seeking out accident lawyers, however, this is not the only method that a firm can charge you when taking over your case. Your case could be charged at an hourly rate, at a flat fee, through a retainer fee, or even through hybrid arrangements.
Hourly Rate
An hourly rate is when your accident lawyer charges by the hour. You should request a good-faith estimate for the amount of time the lawyer will spend on the case. This is usually the best option for you if you only require a small amount of help, such as having another person review a settlement amount given to you by the negligent driver’s insurance company.
Flat Fee
On the other side of the coin, a lawyer could charge you a flat rate. A flat fee arrangement means you’re charged a fixed amount during the entire duration of your case. This is usually allowed to be paid over a payment plan but the firm will insist on an initial payment.
Retainer Fee
A retainer fee arrangement differs, as some attorneys will require their clients to pay a set amount straight away. This means you’ll pay for a set amount of hours and you will be charged for any additional time spent on your case. Payments may also be added regarding what the outcome of your case is.
Hybrid Arrangements
In some cases, your attorney may require a combination of payments. As an example, your attorney could require a flat rate fee to start your case.
When Should You Contact a Lawyer?
Arizona law has strict deadlines for filing a personal injury claim, and evidence disappears fast. Even a few days can make a difference in:
- Preserving video footage
- Getting accurate witness statements
- Properly documenting your injuries
In Arizona, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. But some cases (like those involving government vehicles) may have as little as 180 days. Don’t wait. Talking to us is free, and it could mean the difference between walking away with nothing or getting full compensation.
If you were hurt in a crash, don’t let fear of legal fees keep you from getting the help you need. At Esquire Law, our accident injury lawyers will review your case for free and explain all your options. You’ll never pay out of pocket to get started, and we’re only paid if you win.
Call now to schedule your free case evaluation or send us a message anytime. We’re ready to fight for the compensation you deserve—so you can get back to what matters.