If you were recently involved in a motor vehicle accident, you might worry that you can’t afford legal services. At Caruso Law Offices, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case. With more than 40 years of experience and over $1 billion recovered for clients, our team is here to fight for you. Call out personal injury legal advisors today at (619) 231-1830 for a free consultation and learn how we can help.
Different Types of Attorney Fee Structures
Attorneys may get paid in different ways, with some of the most common including:
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Hourly – Lawyers may charge anywhere between $150 and $1,000 or more per hour. With an hourly rate, the lawyer tracks the time spent and bills accordingly.
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Retainer – Some lawyers charge an upfront retainer that serves as a down payment. The lawyer deducts their time from the retainer until it is used up, then bills hourly or requests another retainer.
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Flat fee – Some attorneys charge a flat fee, which is common in family law or document preparation matters.
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Contingency – A lawyer only charges for their services if they obtain a successful outcome.
If you want to see how this applies in serious accident cases, visit our truck accident lawyer page.
What Does Contingent Mean in a Personal Injury Case?
Contingency means “conditioned on.” In a personal injury case, this means the lawyer’s fee is conditioned on securing money—either from a settlement or trial award. If the attorney secures compensation for the client, they receive a percentage of that recovery. If they don’t, the client doesn’t owe attorney fees.
The lawyer and client agree on the percentage in advance, outlined in the retainer agreement. This structure is common in personal injury and wrongful death claims.
For an overview of client rights in fee agreements, you can review the American Bar Association’s guide or consumer protections.
Benefits of Contingency Fee Arrangements
Contingency fee arrangements benefit clients in several important ways:
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They allow clients without upfront funds to access justice.
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Clients avoid large, unexpected legal bills while recovering from injuries.
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The attorney assumes the risk of working on a case without guaranteed payment.
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Because of this risk, personal injury attorneys carefully evaluate cases, which strengthens the client’s position.
We also use contingency fees in motorcycle accident cases, pedestrian injury claims, and more, ensuring equal access to justice for injury victims across New Mexico.
A Note on Legal Costs in Personal Injury Cases
Even with contingency fees, clients may still be responsible for certain legal costs, such as:
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Accident report retrieval fees
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Medical record request fees
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Court filing costs
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Expert witness fees
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Deposition fees
Our team will explain all costs upfront during your consultation so there are no surprises.
Learn More About Our Caruso Law Offices Contingency Fee Arrangements
If you were injured in a motor vehicle accident, the legal team at Caruso Law Offices can explain our contingency fee arrangements and how we can help during your free case review. Contact us today at (619) 231-1830 to get started.