After a serious accident, hiring a lawyer can seem intimidating—especially when you start thinking about the cost. If you’re already facing medical bills, lost wages, and car repairs, the last thing you want is another expense. That’s why most personal injury lawyers work on a “contingency fee” basis.
Here’s what you need to know.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where your lawyer’s fees depend on the outcome of your case. Instead of charging you by the hour, the lawyer takes a percentage of the money you win in a settlement or trial verdict.
If your lawyer wins, their fee will be taken from that settlement or verdict. If they lose, you generally won’t owe them attorney fees.
This arrangement helps injury victims afford quality legal help without paying money up front. It also gives your lawyer an extra incentive to work hard because they only get paid if you do.
Do You Owe Anything if Your Lawyer Loses?
In most personal injury cases handled on a contingency fee basis, you will not owe attorney fees if your lawyer doesn’t win. However, there’s an important distinction between attorney fees and case expenses.
Attorney fees are what you pay for your lawyer’s time, skill, and representation. Case expenses are the out-of-pocket costs needed to prepare your case, such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, costs of obtaining medical records, deposition and transcript costs, and investigation expenses.
Some firms will cover these expenses for you during the case and only collect them if they win. Others may require you to reimburse them for these costs even if your case isn’t successful.
That’s why it’s important to talk to your lawyer about how case expenses are handled before you sign a representation agreement.
Why Contingency Fees Help Accident Victims
If you’ve been hurt in a car crash, slip-and-fall, or other accident in Kennesaw, Georgia, you may already be feeling financial pressure.
Contingency fee arrangements give you:
- Access to experienced legal help without upfront payment
- Peace of mind knowing you won’t pay attorney fees if you lose
- Aligned interests—your lawyer has a strong reason to win the maximum amount for you
This type of arrangement levels the playing field between everyday people and the insurance companies that defend personal injury claims.
What Percentage Do Lawyers Take if They Win?
In Georgia, contingency fees in personal injury cases are often between 33% and 40% of the recovery.
The percentage can vary depending on factors like:
- How complex the case is
- Whether the case goes to trial
- The amount of work required to gather evidence and prepare for court
If your case is resolved quickly with a settlement, the fee percentage might be lower. The percentage may be higher if a lengthy trial is required because of the additional work involved.
What to Ask Before You Hire a Lawyer
Before hiring a personal injury lawyer in Kennesaw, Georgia, ask questions such as:
- What percentage will you take if we win?
- How are case expenses handled?
- Will I owe any money if we lose?
- Can you provide examples of past cases you’ve handled like mine?
We will answer these questions openly and make sure you understand the agreement before moving forward.
What Happens if You Can’t Afford Your Case Expenses?
If you’re worried about being responsible for costs if you lose, tell your lawyer right away. Many firms advance these costs for clients and only recover them if the case is successful. That way, you’re not risking additional out-of-pocket losses on top of your injury-related expenses.
Contact Starks Byron, P.C. for a Free Consultation With a Kennesaw Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in Kennesaw, Georgia, and are worried about the cost of hiring a lawyer, we can help. At Starks Byron, P.C., we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay attorney fees unless we win for you.
We’ve recovered millions of dollars for accident victims across Georgia and are ready to use our experience for you. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to learn more about your rights and options.
We proudly serve Cobb County and its surrounding areas:
Starks Byron, P.C.
1275 Shiloh Rd NW Ste 2710, Kennesaw, GA 30144
(404) 795 5115
