Contingency fees are a payment system used by car accident lawyers to help people after crashes. When you're in a car accident, you face big medical bills and lost wages. Paying for a lawyer might seem impossible. At Fincher Law, we use contingency fees so anyone hurt in a car accident can get legal help without money up front.
Our personal injury law firm serves accident victims in Kansas and Kansas City. This allows you to obtain legal representation even if you cannot afford hourly fees. As for the legal work, we will handle that for you, and we will fight to recover the compensation you deserve.
A contingency fee agreement means that you only pay if you win. Instead of charging car accident lawyer fees on an hourly basis, your attorney's fees are a percentage of the money they win for you. This percentage is set before your case begins. Such fee structures adhere to professional conduct rules that safeguard clients.
This arrangement fosters strong teamwork. We only get paid when you get paid, so we strive for the highest settlement possible. Your lawyer's fee depends on winning your case, ensuring we put maximum effort into every aspect of your claim.
The typical contingency fee basis for most personal injury lawyers ranges from 33% to 40% of the final settlement. This percentage might change based on whether your case settles quickly or goes to trial. Car accident lawyer fees are higher for trial cases because they require more work and time.
Everything is detailed in your written fee agreement, clarifying payment expectations for both parties. Before signing, we explain how contingency fees work, potential expenses, and how we'll distribute your settlement when your case settles.
Understanding how lawyer payment works brings peace of mind while you recover. The contingency fee system makes legal help available to all accident victims and ensures your attorney works hard for you. This approach allows you to focus on healing without worrying about the car accident lawyer's cost. With contingency fees, you need less money upfront, as the lawyer only receives payment if they win your case. Moreover, this method works well for many types of personal injury cases.
Car accident lawyers working on contingency cover all case expenses upfront. These include filing fees, court reporter fees, costs for medical records and police reports, and expert witness fees. These upfront costs often reach thousands of dollars during a case.
We cover these expenses as they come up, so you face no financial barriers after a car accident. You can focus on getting better while we pay for the costs of building your case. This is a major benefit compared to hourly lawyers, who make you pay these expenses as you go.
The main benefit of contingency fees is simple: no recovery means no fee. This removes all financial risk for car accident victims seeking legal help. Many people couldn't afford to pursue their rights without this payment option.
You won't pay your lawyer if your case doesn't win. This differs from hourly fee arrangements, where you pay regardless of the outcome. Working on a contingency basis motivates us to win your case since we only get paid if you receive financial compensation.
When your case settles, your lawyer takes their percentage from the total recovery amount. For example, with a $100,000 settlement and a 33% contingency fee, your lawyer would receive $33,000. This covers all the work they did on your case.
The percentage may change based on case complexity or if your case goes to trial instead of settling. At Fincher Law, we explain our fee calculation clearly before you sign anything. We want you to understand exactly how much you'll pay when you receive your settlement or verdict.
Working with a lawyer on contingency offers several benefits for car accident victims:
Our payment depends completely on winning your case. This drives us to get better results for car accident victims without the stress of hourly billing. Most personal injury attorneys work this way because it helps people who couldn't otherwise afford legal services.
Let's compare contingency fees to other ways that lawyers charge clients. This helps show why contingency works best for car accident cases and other personal injury cases. While different fee arrangements exist, most accident victims benefit most from contingency.
With hourly fees, lawyers charge for each hour they work, whether you win or lose. You also pay money upfront before work starts. The hourly rate often runs $200-$500, depending on the lawyer's experience.
Contingency fees are better for car accident victims because:
A flat fee payment means one fixed price for legal services. While this works for simple legal tasks, it rarely fits car accident cases. Most lawyers charge flat fees for predictable work like preparing a will or handling a traffic ticket.
Car accident cases vary greatly in time and work needed. Some settle quickly, while others take years and require extensive investigation. Percentage-based fees adjust to fit the work involved and keep your lawyer focused on getting you the most money possible rather than just finishing the case.
Your fee agreement covers many expenses beyond your lawyer's time. These include:
These expenses can reach thousands of dollars that you don't pay out of pocket. At Fincher Law, we clearly explain which expenses are covered under our contingency basis and if there are any additional fees you might face.
Contingency fees are charged only when your case ends with a settlement or court verdict. You never get bills during your case or write checks while it's ongoing. This makes seeking legal help stress-free for your budget while you're dealing with medical bills.
The payment happens after your case settles: the check goes to your lawyer's trust account, they take their percentage and case expenses, and you receive the rest, usually within a few weeks. This process follows strict rules that protect clients' money.
We provide a detailed statement showing where every dollar goes, with no hidden costs or surprise fees. This openness is part of our commitment to honest service. You'll see exactly how much goes to medical bills, lawyer's fees, and case expenses, and how much you receive as your final settlement.
Many people misunderstand how contingency fees work in personal injury cases:
Myth 1: "Lawyers take most of your money." Not true. With standard contingency fee percentages, most of your settlement goes to you, not your lawyer. After fees and expenses, most clients get 60-65% of the total.
Myth 2: "All law firms charge the same percentage." Not true. Percentages vary between firms and may depend on case complexity or whether your case goes to trial. Always discuss fee arrangements before hiring a lawyer.
Myth 3: "You'll pay even if you lose." Not true. With true contingency fees, no win means no fee—period. You won't owe your lawyer for their time if they don't win your case.
Myth 4: "Contingency fee lawyers don't work as hard." Not true. Our payment depends on your success, so we're highly motivated to win your case. Most lawyers actually work harder on contingency because their payment is at stake.
If you're injured in a car accident in Kansas or Kansas City, contact our personal injury attorneys for a free consultation. We'll discuss your case and explain our contingency fee arrangement with no obligation.
Call us or use our online form. We'll answer all your questions about legal fees and how we work. Many accident victims find that a free consultation helps them understand their options better.
We help car accident victims get financial compensation without adding financial stress. Let Fincher Law fight for you while you focus on recovery. With our contingency fee lawyer helping you, you can seek justice without worrying about how to pay for it.
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