How Much Do Lawyers Charge For A Car Accident?
No one plans on being involved in a car accident, yet on average, over 1,000 people are involved in car accidents daily in Florida, according to 2024 Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles data. When it does happen, you may begin asking yourself, “Do I need an attorney?” and “How much will it cost to hire a lawyer?” The good news is that in Florida, most personal injury attorneys – including those handling motor vehicle accidents – work on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t pay any money upfront, and your lawyer is only paid if they successfully recover compensation for you.
This guide explains how contingency fees work, what costs to expect, how lawyers evaluate your case, and why hiring an experienced attorney can make a significant difference in your recovery. Whether you’re in Miami, Tampa, or Orlando, understanding these costs can help you make informed decisions after a crash.
WHAT IS A CONTINGENCY FEE?
Bottom line, the lawyer only gets paid if you recover any money. In Florida, attorneys representing car accident victims almost always work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee means that the lawyer does not charge by the hour or require a large retainer. Instead, their fee is a percentage of the amount they recover for you, either throughs settlement or a trial verdict.
Typical percentages an attorney may charge range from 33 1/3% to 40%, depending on the stage of litigation and whether the case goes to trial. These percentages are set out in the Florida Bar’s Rules of Professional Conduct, which require that contingency fee agreements be in writing and signed by the client.
Unlike hourly or flat-fee billing, contingency fees align your lawyer’s interests with your own: If you win, they win. If you don’t, you owe nothing for attorney’s fees. However, it’s critical to discuss the fee percentage upfront and understand any additional costs, as these can impact your final settlement. For example, a lawyer might charge 33% for a case settled before a lawsuit is filed, but 40% if it goes to trial.
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COSTS VS. FEES
Attorney’s fees are the lawyer’s compensation for your representation, based on the contingency percentage. Costs are the actual expenses of moving a case forward – things like court filing fees, medical record requests, depositions, accident reconstruction experts, or travel expenses. Most personal injury law firms will advance these costs for the client, meaning you don’t pay them as the case progresses. However, once your case resolves, those costs are reimbursed from your settlement or award after attorney’s fees are calculated.
Depending on the nature and severity of your accident, these costs can quickly skyrocket, and are closely monitored by your attorney both in evaluating the merits of your claim, and throughout the progression of the case.
For example, in a recent local case we handled, costs included $2,500 for an accident reconstruction expert and $1,000 for medical record retrieval, all advanced by our firm and reimbursed only after a $150,000 settlement was secured.
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CASE EVALUATION
Not every car accident automatically results in a viable lawsuit. When evaluating your claim, lawyers look at three main factors:
- LIABILITY: Was the other driver at fault, and can it be proven? Police reports, witness statements, and dash cam footage often help answer this question.
- DAMAGES: Did the accident cause injuries significant enough to justify pursing a claim? This usually involves reviewing medical records and understanding how the injuries affect your daily life.
- COLLECTABILITY: Even a strong case must have a source of recovery. That typically means identifying insurance coverage or other assets that could pay for your damages.
If all three of these factors align, the case is generally considered “meritorious” and worth pursuing.Your lawyer will also assess the strength of evidence, such as photos of the accident scene or medical diagnoses, to ensure your case has a solid foundation.
A WORD ABOUT INSURANCE COVERAGE
Even with a clear-cut case, recovery usually depends on insurance coverage. Florida requires all drivers to carry Personal Injury Protection (PIP), which provides up to $10,000 in immediate medical and lost wage benefits regardless of fault. But POP is often far from enough to cover serious injuries.
That’s why attorneys investigate other types of coverage:
- The at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability insurance (if any).
- Your own uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage, which can step in if the other driver has no insurance or insufficient limits.
- Potential commercial or employer policies if the at-fault driver was working at the time of the crash.
In fact, this insurance evaluation is often one of the very first steps a lawyer takes after accepting a case. In Florida, where 20% of drivers are uninsured (per 2024 Insurance Information Institute data), UM/UIM coverage is critical to protect you from financial losse
HIRING A LAWYER MATTERS
Insurance companies are not in the business of paying claims generously. An experienced lawyer levels the playing field by handling negotiations, gathering evidence, hiring experts if needed, and making sure claim deadlines are met.
For instance, Florida’s statute of limitations for car accident claims is two years from the date of the crash (Florida Statutes §95.11), so acting promptly is essential.
Studies, like a 2024 Insurance Research Council report, show that accident victims with legal representation recover 3.5 times more on average than those without, even after attorney’s fees. This is because lawyers understand how to counter lowball offers from insurers and build a compelling case. For example, in a recent local case, our firm increased a client’s initial $20,000 insurance offer to a $120,000 settlement by leveraging expert testimony and medical evidence.
Beyond higher payouts, hiring a lawyer saves you time and stress. They handle complex paperwork, negotiate with adjusters, and ensure you meet critical deadlines, like filing a lawsuit within Florida’s two-year limit. Without a lawyer, you risk missing these deadlines or accepting a settlement far below what your case is worth.
Common Myths About Car Accident Lawyer Costs
To help you make an informed decision, let’s debunk some myths about hiring a car accident lawyer in Florida:
- Myth 1: “Lawyers are too expensive.” Reality: With contingency fees, you pay nothing upfront, and fees only come from your recovery.
- Myth 2: “I can handle the insurance company myself.” Reality: Insurers often lowball unrepresented claimants, and a lawyer can maximize your settlement.
- Myth 3: “If I lose, I’ll owe thousands in fees.” Reality: If your case doesn’t win, you owe no attorney’s fees, though you should confirm how costs are handled.
CONCLUSION
Hiring a lawyer after a car accident in Florida doesn’t require an upfront investment. Through a contingency fee arrangement, your lawyer takes on the financial risk of pursuing your case, and is motivated to secure the best possible outcome for you. With no attorney’s fee unless you win, and with costs advanced on your behalf, it allows injured people access to justice without worrying about how to pay for it.
At The Maher Law Firm, we offer free consultations where you’ll speak directly to an experienced attorney, not a paralegal. We thoroughly evaluate your case, reviewing liability, damages, and collectability to determine its strength. Our team has helped hundreds of Floridians recover fair compensation, and we’re here to guide you through every step.
Don’t let myths or financial concerns stop you from seeking justice. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation and learn how we can help you recover what you deserve after a car accident.
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