If you’ve been injured in an accident, hiring a lawyer might seem out of reach financially. However, in reality, that’s rarely the case. Most personal injury attorneys in North Carolina work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay up front, and your attorney only gets paid if they win compensation for your case.
Learning about how contingency fees work can help you make a more informed decision about your case and how you should proceed. Continue reading to learn more about how much it costs to hire a personal injury lawyer.
Common Fee Structures Used by Lawyers
Overall, attorneys in North Carolina may use different billing arrangements depending on the type of case. Each type of fee is strictly regulated by the Rules of Professional Conduct that all lawyers are required to follow.
The three most common fee models are:
- Contingency fees: Used in nearly all personal injury cases, where the attorney’s payment depends on winning money for you.
- Hourly billing: The lawyer charges for each hour worked, usually at a set rate. This is more common in business disputes, criminal defense, and family law cases.
- Flat fees: The attorney charges a single, fixed amount for specific legal tasks, such as drafting documents or handling uncontested matters.
For personal injury cases, contingency arrangements remain the most accessible for clients. They allow you to pursue justice without financial risk, since your lawyer’s fee depends entirely on whether they recover compensation for you.
Contingency Fees Explained
A contingency fee arrangement enables injured victims to access skilled legal assistance without incurring any upfront costs. Instead of charging hourly rates or requiring a large retainer, your attorney’s payment is contingent upon winning compensation for you.
If your lawyer secures a settlement or jury verdict in your favor, they’ll take a percentage of that amount. This percentage depends on many factors, including the case’s complexity and stage of resolution.
This model ensures that your lawyer’s interests align with yours. They have every reason to fight for as much compensation as possible on your behalf, since their payment depends on your success.
What Expenses Are Included in a Personal Injury Case?
While attorney’s fees cover a lawyer’s professional services, there are often additional costs involved in preparing and pursuing your claim.
These expenses vary depending on the nature of your case, but they may include:
- Court filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Medical record retrieval costs
- Depositions and transcripts
- Travel and investigation expenses
- Postage, copying, and administrative fees
In many contingency arrangements, the law firm will advance these costs and deduct them from your final settlement or verdict. This means you don’t have to pay anything while your case is ongoing.
Before you hire your lawyer, you should always review the written fee agreement to understand exactly how costs will be handled and what percentage of your recovery the attorney will receive. Ensure that all of your questions are answered before signing.
Factors That Can Affect Your Legal Fees
Although contingency fees are standard, several factors can influence the exact percentage or total cost of your case, including:
- The complexity of your case
- Whether fault is disputed
- The amount of evidence or expert testimony required
- Whether your claim settles quickly or goes to trial
- The size of your potential recovery
Your lawyer will discuss these variables during your initial consultation and explain how they could affect your fee percentage or case expenses.
Why Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Is Still Worth It
Some people attempt to handle personal injury claims on their own to save money, but this can ultimately end up costing them far more in the long run. Insurance companies have experienced adjusters and legal teams who are trained to minimize their liability. Without a lawyer, it’s easy to accept less than your case is truly worth.
A skilled personal injury lawyer in North Carolina can:
- Handle all communication and negotiation with insurance companies
- Calculate the full extent of your economic and non-economic damages
- Collect evidence and expert opinions to strengthen your claim
- Identify all potential sources of compensation
- Take your case to court if settlement talks fail
At the least, it is almost certainly worth your time to contact a lawyer for a free consultation to see if it makes sense to hire one for your case.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Raleigh Personal Injury Lawyer
If you’ve been injured in an accident in North Carolina, you may be entitled to substantial compensation. With the contingency fee structure that almost every Raleigh personal injury attorney works on, you can feel confident that your lawyer is incentivized to recover as much money as they can for you.
Contact Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers today to get started with a free consultation. At that time, you can learn about your legal rights and options and ask any questions you might have.