Understanding Car Accident Lawyer Fees
From medical bills to lost wages, pain and suffering, and even long-term disability, people injured in car accidents due to the negligent actions of another driver are entitled to pursue an injury claim to recover damages in the form of a financial settlement or jury award. Anyone who has attempted to communicate and negotiate with the at-fault party’s car insurance company adjuster knows that they will attempt to use any information you give them against you and will demand to see your medical records so they can pin your injuries on prior health challenges, in addition to other sneaky tactics. This is why it is so important for people injured in car accidents to hire an experienced, local car accident lawyer to help them navigate their accident claim.
When you work with a car accident attorney, they take over every aspect of the claim from gathering evidence to managing communication with insurance companies to negotiating your injury settlement, and much more. It is time consuming work that requires a lot of skill and legal expertise. If you’re considering hiring an auto accident attorney to help you with your claim, you may be wondering: what are car accident lawyer fees?
What to Know About Car Accident Lawyer Fees
Car accident lawyers are personal injury attorneys who typically work on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you hire an injury lawyer, the lawyer pays for upfront costs such as filing fees and retaining expert witnesses, and they only get paid if you win your case.
When the case concludes with a settlement or jury award, the accident attorney is typically compensated for their work through a percentage of your settlement or court award, often at a rate of 33 to 40 percent. Some lawyers may also charge for extra costs like filing fees or expert witnesses, which are usually taken out of the final settlement.
Key points:
- No upfront payment in most cases
- Lawyer only gets paid if you win
- Fee is usually 33%–40% of your settlement
- Other legal costs may be deducted too
When you are interviewing car accident attorneys, it is important to ask them about their fee structure so you aren’t blindsided at the end of the process.
Are Contingency Fees Fair?
Even though a portion of the settlement is taken in contingency fees, injured people typically come out ahead financially because experienced car accident lawyers know how to build strong cases, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for maximum compensation. Without legal help, many people accept lowball offers or make mistakes that reduce their payout. In most cases, the settlement a lawyer secures is five to 10 times higher than what the client could have achieved on their own—even after legal fees are deducted.
What Other Legal Costs Are Common in Car Accident Cases?
In car accident cases, there are often legal costs in addition to the lawyer’s contingency fee. These are expenses needed to build and prove your case. While the lawyer usually covers these upfront, they are typically deducted from your final settlement or award if you win.
Common legal costs include:
- Court filing fees to officially file your case
- Expert witness fees for medical or accident experts to testify
- Investigation costs such as hiring private investigators
- Fees to obtain official medical records and reports
- Deposition and transcript costs for recording witness statements
- Travel or postage expenses when needed for case-related communication or transportation
Why Do Car Accident Lawyers Use Contingency Fees?
Car accident lawyers use contingency fees to make legal help more accessible, especially for people who can’t afford to pay upfront. The contingency payment structure reduces financial risk for the client while giving them a chance to pursue compensation. This arrangement also motivates the lawyer to take on valid legal cases and to work hard since they only get paid if they win the case.
Key reasons:
- Makes legal help affordable for injured people
- Reduces financial risk for the client
- Encourages the lawyer to fight for the best outcome
- Shows the lawyer believes in the case
What Are Contingency Fee Laws in Washington State?
In Washington State, contingency fee agreements in personal injury cases (including car accident) are governed by professional rules and statutes. While there isn’t a blanket percentage cap, Washington’s Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC 1.5) does not allow lawyers to charge or collect unreasonable fees.
In addition, contingency fee agreements must:
- Be clearly outlined in writing and signed by the client.
- Detail the fee structure, including percentages based on settlement, trial, or appeal, and explain which expenses – such as retaining experts and filing fees – are charged and how they’re deducted.
- Include a written accounting at the end showing how much was recovered and how fees and costs were calculated.
Before hiring a car accident lawyer and signing an agreement, it’s important to understand what percentage of your settlement will be deducted if you win, and what other expenses might come out of your settlement. By being informed up front, you can avoid surprises and feel more confident moving forward with your claim.
Seek the Help the Best Car Accident Lawyer Near Me
If you or a loved one was injured in a collision because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced car accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! Since 1979, our personal injury law firm, Tario & Associates, P.S., has been dedicated to fighting for the rights of people injured throughout Washington State, with local offices in Bellingham and Mount Vernon to serve residents of Whatcom, Skagit, Island, and Snohomish counties. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
