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What Are Most Lawyer Fees For A Car Accident?

In the aftermath of a serious car accident, you may be facing untold physical and financial difficulties. When such an incident is caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, seeking fair compensation for all you have suffered can be essential to take care of yourself. That said, fearing they cannot afford to hire an attorney, some car accident victims hold back from getting the legal representation they need.

However, most car accident lawyers do not charge hourly or upfront fees for their services. Rather, your lawyer is more likely to take a predetermined percentage of the compensation you recover. This type of contingency fee arrangement makes legal help accessible to all injury and accident victims, as you do not have to pay anything until your claim is successfully resolved.

The dedicated team of personal injury lawyers at Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers has decades of combined experience in getting car accident victims the restitution they deserve. Call us today or fill out our online contact form for a free case review. With no hidden or upfront costs, experienced and empathetic legal help is at the ready.

A relieved accident victim shaking hands with a lawyer, symbolizing success and “no upfront cost” legal help.

Understanding the Contingency Fee System

When a lawyer operates on a contingency fee basis, his or her payment depends on the compensation secured for you through your legal claim. Essentially, your lawyer is entitled to a fixed percentage of the final settlement or verdict you receive. Thus, the payment of legal fees is dependent on the successful outcome of the claim – in most instances, you won’t pay anything unless your attorney wins your case.

The contingency fee agreement is a written and binding contract, signed by the client and the personal injury law firm. Depending on the circumstances and complexity of the case, car accident attorneys typically charge a contingency fee of 30 to 40 percent of the recovery amount.

To put this in perspective, under a contingency fee agreement of 33 percent or one-third of the damages, if you were awarded $25,000, you would receive roughly $17,000 in the end. 

Car accidents can lead to substantial financial challenges. The contingency fee system allows you to hire qualified and necessary legal representation without adding to your financial strain.

Considerations in Determining Attorney Fees for a Car Accident Case

Multiple factors impact how much car accident lawyers may charge for their cases. The following aspects, for instance, must be considered. 

Administrative costs and out-of-pocket expenses

Necessary administrative tasks are associated with every personal injury claim. Additionally, there may be other case expenses involved in a car accident lawsuit.

Case expenses may include such things as:

Especially complicated cases, or ones that take longer to resolve, may add considerable administrative fees and expenses. At Sweeney Merrigan, we gladly pay these upfront costs to build your case, with reimbursement coming from the final settlement.

The complexity of your car accident case

Complex cases tend to take longer to resolve. The amount of time your attorney spends on your case may affect the contingency fee percentage he or she charges. If, when reviewing your case, your car accident lawyer anticipates that a great deal of time and resources will be required, he or she may raise the contingency fee. 

The full amount of your car accident claim

In 2023, the total motor-vehicle injury costs across the nation were estimated at $513.8 billion. These costs include wage and productivity losses, medical expenses, property damage, and more. Such losses can result in substantial accident claims and lawsuits.

On the whole, the larger your accident claim, the greater the settlement amount. Your attorney may be willing to lower the percentage of contingency fees if your claim is large enough.

The strength of your car accident case

Seasoned personal injury lawyers only accept car accident claims that are secure enough to be won. Still, some cases are stronger than others. If your attorney is convinced that you have a solid case due to abundant evidence or other factors, he or she may agree to a lower contingency fee.

How Contingency Fees Work to Your Advantage After a Car Accident

A severe car accident can be extremely stressful, and victims need legal help to rebuild their lives. Under the contingency fee arrangement, individuals have the chance to seek restitution for their losses, no matter their current financial status.

If you feel you have a valid car accident claim, the contingency fee system can help you in a number of ways:

The contingency fee arrangement makes protecting your rights affordable. Having a knowledgeable car accident lawyer on your side could mean the difference between getting just compensation and walking away with nothing.

Get Help With Your Car Accident Claim Today

In the wake of a bad car accident, you need trustworthy legal guidance and support. Having the right lawyer advocating on your behalf will put you on the best road to physical, emotional, and financial recovery after your accident.

The award-winning legal team at Sweeney Merrigan Personal Injury Lawyers is committed to fighting for justice and fair compensation for car accident victims – at no upfront cost to our clients. Our law firm accepts cases we feel we can win and is proud to have recovered over $44 million for victims of motor vehicle accidents.

We believe in holding negligent parties accountable for the harm they inflict on others. Having built our firm on a foundation of experience and empathy, we align our interests with those of our clients in each and every case. 


Please don’t let financial concerns hold you back from getting the help you deserve. Call Sweeney Merrigan or fill out our online contact form for a free consultation.