How Much Does It Cost To Hire a Madison Personal Injury Lawyer?

Accident victims are in a difficult position when hiring a lawyer. No one saves money for an injury attorney because they plan to suffer an injury in an accident. Worse yet, most victims must use their resources to pay doctors, hospitals, and ambulance fees, leaving nothing to pay lawyers.

However, you can still hire a high-quality lawyer for your case because most injury law firms charge a contingency fee. These fees allow accident victims to retain legal counsel without adversely impacting their finances.

What Are the Types of Fee Structures?

Lawyers generally use three main fee structures: 

• Hourly fees: Hourly fees are charged based on the amount of time a lawyer spends on a case. For example, if a lawyer charges $300 per hour and spends ten hours working, the total bill will be $3,000.
• Flat fees: Flat fees are charged per project, regardless of the number of hours worked. For instance, a lawyer might charge $1,000 to prepare a simple will.
• Contingency fees: Contingency fees are most common in personal injury cases. Instead of paying up front, the client pays a percentage of the recovery only if the lawyer wins the case.

While hourly and flat fees are often used for business, estate planning, or criminal defense matters, injury victims typically rely on contingency fees. 

What Is a Contingency Fee?

Instead of upfront billing, injury lawyers often use a contingency fee. Under this model, the attorney only receives payment if they secure a settlement or win your case. The client pays a percentage of the amount recovered as the fee. If the lawyer loses, the client owes no legal fee.

The percentage charged can vary depending on several factors. According to Rule 1.5 of the Wisconsin Rules of Professional Conduct for Attorneys, the reasonableness of a fee depends on:

• The lawyer’s experience and reputation
• The time and effort required
• The novelty or difficulty of the legal questions
• Any deadlines imposed by the case
  
• Whether accepting the case prevents the lawyer from handling other matters

As a result, a highly experienced lawyer may charge a higher percentage than someone new to practice, and more complex cases—such as product liability matters—may cost more than straightforward claims like car accidents.

Services Included in a Contingency Fee Arrangement

Since a contingency fee is paid at the end of the case rather than the beginning, clients do not need to pay any money up front. However, the lawyer will work on the case, sharing the risk with the client.

Although every law firm is different, the following services are usually covered by the contingency fee:

• Meetings with the lawyer to discuss the case
• Communicating with the lawyer and their staff by email and phone
• Investigating the accident and gathering evidence for the case
• Preparing and filing the insurance claim
• Negotiating with the claims adjuster to settle the case
• Drafting and filing a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to settle
• Deposing witnesses and defending your deposition
• Litigating the case, including filing motions and arguing at court hearings
• Trying your case before a jury by presenting evidence and fighting for a damage award

What Is Not Covered in a Contingency Fee Agreement?

Your contingency fee will not cover all services. Specifically, a contingency fee typically does not cover the following:

• Hard costs, such as copying fees charged by some doctors to provide medical records
• Litigation expenses, such as court reporter fees and filing fees
• Post-trial appeals

In most cases, these costs will be deducted from any settlement or verdict, meaning they are paid out of your recovery.

Hiring a Contingency Fee Lawyer

Hiring a lawyer after an accident may feel overwhelming, especially when you are already facing medical bills and lost income. Fortunately, contingency fee agreements make legal representation accessible to accident victims. You do not need to pay upfront, and your lawyer only collects a fee if they recover money on your behalf.

Eisenberg Law Offices S.C. is a trusted personal injury law firm in Madison, WI, dedicated to fighting for your deserved compensation. Our experienced attorneys will negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and ensure your rights are protected. Contact us today for a free consultation.

We proudly serve Dane County, Jefferson County, Sauk County, Rock County, Columbia County, and their surrounding areas.

Eisenberg Law Offices S.C. – Madison
308 E Washington Ave
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 256-8356

Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Madison, WI 
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