How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
30% – 40% average contingency fee
Average personal injury lawyer cost
A personal injury lawyer costs 30% to 40% of the settlement amount you win on average. Your lawyer collects this percentage, also called a contingency fee, only if they win the case for you.
Personal injury lawyers help clients who are injured in a car accident, medical malpractice incidents, or premises liability cases. The settlement amount depends on the type of injury and who is responsible. A broken arm or cut from a car accident will not yield as much as a surgical or prescription error resulting in permanent damage.
| Case type | Average settlement | Average lawyer cost |
|---|---|---|
| Car accidents | $30,000 – $250,000+ | $9,000 – $100,000+ |
| Medical malpractice | $250,000 – $700,000+ | $75,000 – $280,000+ |
| Premises liability | $50,000 – $100,000 | $15,000 – $40,000 |
Car accidents
Car accident victims can win $30,000 to $250,000+ in damages, depending on their injuries. If you’re injured as part of a car accident, the other person’s insurance should pay for your injuries. Car accident lawyers charge the same contingency fees as other personal injury lawyers.
Medical malpractice
Victims of medical malpractice often get $250,000 to $700,000+ in compensation. If you’re injured as a direct result of a doctor’s mistake, the hospital’s insurance may be able to cover the damages. The rewards in these cases are normally much higher than average, with some reaching into the millions.
Premises liability
Premises liability cases typically yield $50,000 to $100,000 in rewards, depending on the severity and type of injury. If the property owners are responsible for your injuries because of dangerous conditions, they’ll be held responsible. Some lawyers even specialize in specific circumstances like “slip and fall” injuries.
What is a personal injury lawyer?
A personal injury lawyer represents clients who sustain injuries that are someone else’s fault, whether the defendant is a person, business, hospital, or government entity. Personal injuries include physical ones as well as economic damage, psychological harm, or even damage to a reputation.
Personal injury lawyers represent clients in court and try to get as much compensation as possible to pay for medical treatment, sick leave, physical therapy, psychological care, or funeral arrangements.
Contingency fee
Most personal injury lawyers charge a 30% to 40% contingency fee after you win your case or reach a settlement. This fee provides more peace of mind than hourly or flat rates that clients pay out of pocket. Some law firms even reduce the fee percentage if your settlement is higher than average.
Personal injury attorney cost factors
The following factors affect the cost to hire a personal injury lawyer:
Location: Lawyers in cities or affluent areas usually have higher rates than those in rural areas or small towns.
Experience: Expert lawyers with high success rates typically charge more than average, especially if they’re well-known or have a great reputation.
Settlement time: Your lawyer will typically charge a 30% contingency fee if they’re able to settle before filing a lawsuit. If they have to go through a lengthy legal process before settling, they’ll usually charge closer to 40%.
Complexity: If your personal injury case has a lot of variables or if it takes a long time to settle, your lawyer may charge more.
Insurance coverage: If the defendant has an insurance policy that can cover your settlement by itself, the case will be more straightforward. Difficulties with insurance coverage may cause delays and higher fees.
If you have severe injuries, a cut-and-dry case, or plenty of evidence to prove you’re not at fault, then you might be able to negotiate and get a lower contingency fee.
Additional expenses
Ask your lawyer what their contingency fee will cover. If they have additional expenses that aren’t covered in your contract, they will charge you for them on top of their contingency fee. These expenses may include:
Court filing fees
Hiring expert witnesses
Getting medical records
Court reporter fees
Obtaining police reports
Personal injury lawyer FAQs
What does a personal injury lawyer do?
A personal injury lawyer represents clients who are victims in a variety of cases: physically, psychologically, and even economically. The lawyer gathers evidence, drafts legal documents, appears in court, and negotiates settlements with the at-fault party.
Do I need a personal injury lawyer?
You should hire a personal injury lawyer if you have suffered injuries through no fault of your own, physical or otherwise. Common personal injury cases include:
Car, motorcycle, or truck accidents
Defamation
Medical malpractice
Negligent security
Slip and fall accidents
Unlawful imprisonment
Wrongful death
Is it worth getting a personal injury lawyer?
Getting a personal injury lawyer might be worth it if you were wrongfully injured. Compensation varies from case to case, but you could receive a substantial reward that can help make up for hospital visits, psychological care, or loss of work. Be sure to gather evidence before hiring a lawyer.
Can I fire my personal injury lawyer?
You can fire your personal injury lawyer at any time if they’re not representing you properly. The thought of getting a new lawyer may seem intimidating or uncomfortable, but it could be worth it if your current lawyer does any of the following:
Doesn’t return your calls or messages
Doesn’t seem familiar with or concerned about your case
Doesn’t give you any updates regarding your case
Getting estimates from personal injury lawyers
Follow these steps when looking for personal injury attorneys near you:
Compare 3 or more estimates from local firms.
Explore reviews from previous clients on Lawful and Google.
Choose an experienced, reputable law firm.
Choose a lawyer who seems concerned and interested in helping you.
Get an estimate in writing before any casework begins.
Don’t make any upfront payments.
Questions to ask personal injury attorneys
When looking for personal injury lawyers near you, ask the following questions:
How long have you been with this firm?
Have you passed the bar exam? How long ago?
How many personal injury cases like mine have you won?
Will your caseload allow you to take on my case?
Is there anything your contingency fee doesn’t cover?
How likely is it for this case to succeed based on the evidence?
How large of a settlement should I be able to get?
Do you have any possible conflicts of interest?
What contingency fee percentage will you use?
Will you give me a written contract for this case before we start?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.