One of the most common questions people have when considering hiring a car accident attorney is: how much will this cost me? The answer — for a personal injury attorney — is straightforward: nothing upfront, and only a percentage of what we recover.
The Contingency Fee Model
Personal injury attorneys in Texas work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront and nothing while your case is being worked. The attorney's fee is a percentage of the final recovery — whether that recovery comes through settlement or a court verdict. If the attorney recovers nothing, you owe nothing.
Typical Contingency Fee Percentages in Texas
Standard contingency fees in Texas personal injury cases typically range from 33.3% (one-third) for pre-litigation settlements to 40% if the case goes to trial. Some cases involving complex litigation may justify higher fees. The exact percentage should be spelled out clearly in your written representation agreement.
Costs vs. Fees
Fees are the attorney's compensation. Costs are case expenses — court filing fees, expert witness fees, medical records, deposition transcripts. Most personal injury attorneys advance costs and recover them from the settlement proceeds. Review your representation agreement carefully to understand how costs are handled if the case is lost.