Hiring an El Paso car accident lawyer after a motor vehicle crash or other accident might feel intimidating, especially if you’re worried about the cost. Most Texans don’t have the budget to pay hundreds of dollars per hour for legal services. Fortunately, personal injury law firms usually work on a contingency fee basis, which removes the upfront financial barrier and ties the lawyer’s payment to the outcome of the case.
Learn more about how contingency fees work below and contact a personal injury lawyer in El Paso for a free consultation if you need legal help.
The Basics of Contingency Fees
A contingency fee means your lawyer only gets paid if they recover money for you. Instead of billing by the hour or for a flat rate, the attorney’s fee is a portion of your settlement or court award. If you don’t win compensation, you generally won’t owe any attorney’s fees.
This arrangement aligns the lawyer’s interests with the client’s. Both sides have the same goal: achieving the strongest recovery possible. It also allows injured people to pursue claims against large corporations or insurance companies without worrying about the immediate cost of legal help.
How the Contingency Fee Percentage Is Calculated
In Texas, the typical contingency fee falls between one-third and forty percent of the amount recovered. The exact percentage can vary depending on:
- Whether the case settles before trial
- The amount of time and resources needed
- Whether the case proceeds through appeal
Most law firms provide a written fee agreement at the start of representation that explains how the percentage will be calculated and when it might change. That way, you’ll know what to expect as your case progresses.
Why Texas Uses Contingency Fees
Texas law allows contingency fee arrangements because they promote access to justice. Without this model, only wealthy clients could afford to hire attorneys for lengthy injury disputes. Contingency fees ensure that everyone, regardless of their income, has the chance to pursue compensation if they’ve been harmed by someone else’s negligence.
Another benefit is that attorneys are motivated to build winning cases. Since their fee depends on the result, lawyers have every reason to investigate thoroughly, gather persuasive evidence, and fight aggressively in negotiations or in court.
How Much Time Do I Have To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Texas?
The Texas statute of limitations gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in most cases. If you don’t file your claim on time, you could lose the ability to recover compensation altogether.
However, there are exceptions that can adjust the deadline, such as for cases involving government entities. Contact an attorney as soon as you can for help ensuring your claim is filed appropriately and on time.
Contact a Texas Personal Injury Lawyer To Learn More About Contingency Fees
If you’ve been hurt in an accident and are considering legal action, you should know that most personal injury lawyers in Texas work on a contingency fee basis. That means no upfront costs, no hourly bills, and no fees unless your case succeeds.
During a free consultation with a lawyer, you can learn how this type of fee arrangement would apply to your situation and what percentage may be involved. Contact Cal Mundell Law Firm PLLC today to get started.