Hiring a lawyer after an accident can feel out of reach—especially when you’re already dealing with medical bills, lost income, and daily expenses. Fortunately, contingency fee arrangements allow personal injury victims to get high-quality legal representation without having to pay anything upfront.

At Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys, we believe accident victims deserve a fair shot at justice, even when their finances are stretched thin. That’s why we handle personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee is a type of legal fee where payment is contingent—meaning dependent—on the outcome of your case. Rather than charging by the hour, the attorney agrees to receive a percentage of your total recovery from a settlement or court award.

Key Characteristics:

• No upfront costs: You pay nothing to get started.
• No legal fee if you lose: If your attorney doesn’t recover compensation, you owe nothing for their time.
• Percentage-based: Fees typically range from 33% to 40% depending on case complexity and whether litigation is necessary.

How Contingency Fee Tiers Work

Some attorneys apply tiered fees based on how far your case progresses. For example:

• 33% if your case settles before a lawsuit is filed
• 38% if your case requires litigation or goes to trial

These tiers reflect the increased time, risk, and costs that a firm undertakes as a case advances through the legal system.

How Contingency Fees Compare to Other Fee Models

Contingency fees differ from:

• Flat Fees: A single, fixed payment (e.g., for drafting a will)
• Hourly Rates: Charged per hour worked, regardless of outcome

Most personal injury lawyers do not use flat or hourly fees because accident victims often cannot afford to pay out of pocket. The contingency model shifts the risk to the lawyer—you only pay if they win.

Benefits of Contingency Fees for Injury Victims

Contingency fee arrangements offer several important advantages:

• Access to top-rated legal representation even if you’re financially struggling
• No need to worry about legal bills while you focus on recovery
• Motivation for your lawyer to maximize your compensation, since their fee increases with your recovery
• Case evaluation upfront: Lawyers take cases they believe they can win

Before agreeing to represent you, your lawyer will review your case to assess its likelihood of success and estimate your claim’s value.

What Services Are Included in a Contingency Fee?

Your contingency fee will usually cover most legal services needed to resolve your case:

• Reviewing medical records and police reports
• Communicating with insurance companies
• Filing insurance claims and handling negotiations
• Filing a lawsuit if necessary
• Conducting discovery and depositions
• Arguing your case in court if it proceeds to trial

Some services, like appeals or litigation costs (e.g., expert witness fees, filing costs), may fall outside the contingency fee. However, most firms—including Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys—advance those expenses on your behalf, only recovering them if you win.

Talk Openly About Legal Fees

Before hiring any attorney, it’s important to have a transparent conversation about:

• Fee percentages
• What services are included
• Whether litigation or case expenses are advanced or charged separately

This ensures clarity and trust throughout your case and helps prevent surprises or disputes later.

Schedule a Free Consultation With a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer

A contingency fee model ensures that our success is tied to yours. At Lawson Personal Injury Attorneys, we don’t get paid unless you do.

If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, contact our office today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review. We’ll explain how contingency fees work and help you understand your best legal options—without pressure or upfront cost.

Call (678) 446-3655 to speak with an experienced Georgia personal injury attorney today.