How Much Does a Car Accident Attorney Cost?

If you have been in an car accident and want to retain an attorney, you should know that there are no upfront costs. Even the most experienced and accomplished personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, so they only get paid when you receive compensation through a settlement or verdict. That means you can take advantage of free consultations to find the attorney you feel most comfortable working with and in whom you have the most confidence.

Under a basic contingency fee agreement, the attorney finances the litigation by paying for various expenses, including:

• Filing fees for the lawsuit
• Document production costs
• Postage and messenger costs
• Witness deposition costs, such as court reporter fees
• Investigator fees
• Expert witness fees

When the case settles or you win a court verdict, the attorney receives the payment and then deducts costs and takes a percentage of the remaining award, usually about one third. That may seem like an awfully large chunk of your recovery. But your lawyer is not simply managing the case; a skilled attorney knows how to maximize the amount you recover, so your lawyer’s slice should come out of a much larger pie.

Of course, not every case wins. But, this is another advantage the contingency agreement gives you. No lawyer collects attorney fees after losing a case, but some lawyers expect the client to reimburse costs. It’s important to learn every detail of your lawyer’s contingency fee agreement to ascertain how much of a financial hit your lawyer is willing to take on a failed case.

If you have been injured in a car accident, get experienced and reliable legal representation. Call Seigel Law at 201-444-4000 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We assist injured clients in Bergen County and throughout New Jersey.