Can I Even Afford a Lawyer for My Injury?

By Eugene Bruno on May 15, 2023

After being injured in an accident caused by an act of negligence, you may be considering your options for recovering compensation. Many accident victims are hesitant to file a claim or even speak to a San Diego personal injury attorney because they are concerned about the cost. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can make a big difference in your claim, so it is important to seek skilled legal counsel.

At Eugene Bruno & Associates, we offer our services on a contingency fee basis, which means you will not have to worry about payment unless we win your personal injury case.

What is a Contingency Fee?

Attorneys typically get paid in four ways – a retainer fee, flat fee, hourly fee, or contingency fee. You and your attorney will agree on the fee arrangement before any work is done on your case to ensure both parties understand their responsibilities.

If your attorney works on a contingency fee basis, it means that you will not owe your attorney any upfront fees until they recover compensation on your behalf. The amount you owe will also be agreed upon beforehand and it is usually a percentage of the award you receive. If your attorney fails to win your case and you do not receive any compensation, they will not receive payment for their services.

The Advantages of Contingency Fees

After sustaining injuries in an accident, you may be overwhelmed by the pain of your injuries and the medical expenses you are likely to incur as you treat and recover from them. The last thing you need is to worry about the cost of paying for an attorney to help you recover compensation.

Here are some other advantages of hiring a San Diego injury lawyer on a contingency fee basis:

• You will not have to pay any upfront costs, which means you can simply focus on recovering from your injuries.
• Your attorney will have an even greater incentive for winning your case. Remember, they only get paid when you do!
• When attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, it makes acquiring experienced legal representation accessible to anyone in need of counsel.

Percentage of Compensation and What It Covers

The percentage of compensation a personal injury lawyer takes will vary, but most take between 25% and 40% of the settlement or verdict. You can negotiate this number with your attorney. You should also keep in mind that the number may increase if your case goes to trial since more resources will be necessary.

The contingency fee will cover not only your attorney’s time, but also any costs they incur as they handle your case, including expert witness fees and filing fees. If you cannot afford to pay attorney fees upfront, a contingency fee arrangement will give you the opportunity to hire an attorney without putting yourself in a difficult financial situation.

Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced San Diego Personal Injury Attorney

If you were injured in an accident that was caused by another party’s negligence, this is undoubtedly a challenging time for you. The medical bills may be piling up and you might not be able to return to work. At Eugene Bruno & Associates, our San Diego personal injury team will work for you on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to worry about the costs of legal representation. We know you have enough on your plate, which is why you will not have to pay us any fees until we recover compensation on your behalf.

Call us today at (619) 209-6066 to schedule a free initial consultation to get started.