How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?

After an accident, you have medical bills plus the expense of fixing or replacing your damaged vehicle. The last thing you want to add to the list is attorney’s fees. “How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?” is one of our clients’ first questions, and we don’t blame you.

Personal injury lawyer costs are unique to each firm. Regardless of the fee, you must secure the representation of an experienced personal injury lawyer. You usually only get one chance to file a lawsuit for damages after an accident.

Let’s look at Orlando personal injury lawyer costs and how you can find one within your means.

Contingency fees for personal injury lawyers in Florida

Like many personal injury lawyers in Florida, DWK Law charges contingency fees. This means that our attorney fees are contingent on the outcome of your case. If we successfully secure a jury award or negotiate a settlement on your behalf, we deduct our fees as a percentage of the final award.

Contingency fee payment can ensure that someone injured, out of work, and unsure about the future can still access high-quality legal representation without going into serious debt. They can still hire a lawyer committed to helping them get justice.

The exact percentage that Florida personal injury lawyers collect depends on the attorney, their experience, the firm policies, and much more.

The Florida Bar Association’s role in establishing personal injury attorney fees

The Florida Bar Association limits the percentage allowed for contingency fees to ensure they are fair and reasonable, but it does not set a specific amount. The rule states that the fees should be reasonable under the circumstances.

This permits lawyers flexibility regarding fees, although in some cases, legal fees require court approval. The Bar’s rules do not require certain fees to be recovered by the court, but the rules vary according to which phase of the claim you are in.

Pre-suit

This refers to fees the client may incur if a recovery is secured before a formal lawsuit is filed with a Florida civil court. It also applies to the period after the suit is filed before the defendant’s official response is received. In this setting, our general legal fees for a general negligence case are:

• 33.3% up to $1 million; plus
• 30% of the recovery between $1-2 million; plus
• 20% of the recovery exceeding $2 million

In litigation

This refers to any recovery secured after the defense files its answer to a lawsuit or if the defense fails to file its response within the permitted time period. Our legal fees for a general negligence case are then:

• 40% of the recovery up to $1 million, plus
• 30% of the recovery between $1 million and $2 million; plus
• 20% of the recovery exceeding $2 million

Expenses & case costs

This refers to your legal team’s expenses and costs while building the case. It can range from the cost to depose witnesses to expert witness fees, court costs, depositions, and any other fees incurred in pursuing your claim.

Generally, if we do not succeed in securing a recovery in your case, then you don’t owe the firm anything, attorney’s fees or costs.

Do you need a Florida personal injury lawyer?

How much does a personal injury attorney cost? The answer will vary, but if you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence, an experienced lawyer is priceless.

Don’t let attorney’s fees deter you from seeking justice. At DWK Law, we’re committed to providing high-quality representation at a reasonable rate for injured people like you. Call us at (407) 244-3000 for a free consultation.

Related articles for further reading

• What is a pre-injury release?
• What happens when you reject an insurance settlement offer?