Hiring a lawyer can be expensive, that’s why most personal injury lawyers don’t charge anything upfront. Instead, they work on something called a “contingency fee,” which basically means they only get paid if they win your case.
No win means no fee either. This is why attorneys specializing in personal injury cases are a lifesaver; they take on the risk, fight to get you the most money possible, and you don’t have to spend a cent unless they win.
If you’re wondering why they do this, here are your answers.
To Make Legal Help Accessible to Everyone
The biggest reason personal injury lawyers use contingency fees is to make legal representation available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Many people who suffer serious injuries can’t afford the high hourly rates most lawyers charge. Medical bills, lost wages, and daily expenses can pile up quickly after an accident. If lawyers required upfront payments, many injured people wouldn’t be able to afford legal help at all.
A contingency fee removes this financial barrier, allowing anyone with a valid case to get legal representation without worrying about the cost.
To Take on the Financial Risk Themselves
Personal injury lawyers don’t just offer free consultations—they also cover all the costs of handling a case. Investigations, court filings, expert witnesses, and other expenses can add up to thousands of dollars.
If lawyers charged upfront for these costs, many clients wouldn’t be able to move forward with their claims. By working on contingency, lawyers take on the financial risk themselves. If they lose, they don’t get paid. This forces them to be selective about the cases they take, ensuring they only invest in cases they believe have a strong chance of success.
To Align Their Interests with the Client’s
Unlike lawyers who bill by the hour, personal injury attorneys working on contingency only get paid if they win. That means their success is directly tied to their client’s success. The better the settlement or verdict, the more they earn.
This creates a strong incentive for them to fight aggressively for the maximum compensation possible. Instead of dragging out cases or settling for a lowball offer just to bill more hours, they are motivated to get the best possible outcome for their clients.
To Level the Playing Field Against Insurance Companies
Insurance companies have teams of lawyers working to minimize payouts. Without contingency-based legal representation, most injured individuals wouldn’t have the resources to fight back.
Contingency fees allow personal injury lawyers to take on big insurance companies and corporations without requiring their clients to pay upfront.
This levels the playing field, ensuring that everyday people have a fighting chance at receiving fair compensation for their injuries.
To Encourage More People to Pursue Justice
Many people hesitate to file personal injury claims because they worry about the costs of legal action. A contingency fee arrangement removes that hesitation. Knowing they won’t have to pay unless they win gives injured people the confidence to seek justice without the fear of financial loss.
Without contingency fees, countless victims would simply accept their losses without ever fighting for the compensation they deserve.