Last updated: October 7, 2026
“Can I even afford a lawyer?” It’s one of the first questions people ask after they get hurt. This guide answers it in plain words. It covers personal injury lawyer cost for any kind of injury case: car crashes, falls, dog bites, and more. You’ll see how the fee works, what else gets paid from a settlement, and what to ask before you sign.
The short answer: for most injury cases, you don’t pay a lawyer out of your own pocket. The lawyer is paid from the money they win for you.
How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee. We call it No Win, No Fee. It works like this:
- You hire the lawyer You pay nothing to start. No retainer.
- The lawyer builds the case No hourly bills while the case is open.
- The case resolves It settles, or a jury decides it.
- The fee is paid A share of the recovery goes to the lawyer. No recovery, no fee.
So the real personal injury lawyer cost is a share of your recovery, not a bill you pay. Many injury lawyers charge about one-third. Some charge more if the case goes to trial. The exact share is set by each lawyer and written into your agreement.
Our own rate is in our written agreement. We’ll go over it with you at your free case review, before you decide anything.
Why injury lawyers work this way
Most hurt people can’t pay a lawyer by the hour. They’re often out of work, with medical bills stacking up. Hourly rates would lock them out of help.
A contingency fee fixes that. It also lines up your goals with your lawyer’s. The lawyer only gets paid if you do. So the lawyer has a reason to take your case seriously, and a reason to say no to cases that won’t work.
It also shifts the risk. If the case is lost, the lawyer has worked for free. That’s why lawyers look closely at a case before they take it.
What your fee agreement should include
In Washington, a contingency fee agreement must be in writing and signed by you. It has to state the percentage for settlement, trial, and appeal. It has to list the case costs that come out of the recovery, and say whether they come out before or after the fee. (RPC 1.5(c))
If a lawyer won’t put the fee in writing, walk away. In Washington, the agreement has to be written and signed by you.
We walk through each of these items, with a worked example, in car accident lawyer fees in Washington State. The same rules apply to every kind of injury case.
Other costs in an injury case
The lawyer’s fee isn’t the only money that comes out of a settlement. Here’s the full picture.
| Item | What it is | When it’s paid |
|---|---|---|
| Lawyer’s fee | A share of the recovery, set in your agreement | At the end, from the recovery |
| Case costs | Records, filing fees, experts, depositions | Often paid by the firm as the case goes, then paid back from the recovery |
| Medical bills | Treatment that hasn’t been paid yet | From your share, if still owed |
| Liens and pay-backs | A health plan or insurer that paid your bills may ask to be paid back | From your share, often after the lawyer asks for a reduction |
Case costs depend on the case. A claim that settles early may need only records and reports. A case that goes to trial may need doctors and other experts to testify. Those costs can be large.
Ask what happens to costs if you lose. Washington’s rules say your agreement must tell you about any costs you’d owe even if you lose. (RPC 1.5(c)(2)) With us, if we don’t win, you owe nothing. Not even the case costs.
Who checks that a fee is fair?
Washington has two safeguards. First, the lawyer rules require a fee to be reasonable, and a contingency agreement to be in writing. Second, in a tort case like an injury claim, you can ask a court to decide if a lawyer’s fee is reasonable. You have 45 days after you get the final bill or accounting. (RCW 4.24.005)
The court looks at things like the time and work the case took, the result, and the usual fees in the area. It also looks at the written agreement. Most people never need this step. A clear agreement and honest talk at the start prevent most fee problems.
At the end of your case, you’ll also get a written statement. It shows the outcome and how your share was figured. (RPC 1.5(c)(3))
What drives the cost up or down
The fee is a share of the recovery, so the dollar amount moves with the case. A few things affect what you end up paying:
- How far the case goes. Some agreements use a higher share for trial than for settlement.
- How many experts are needed. Serious injuries often need doctors to explain the future.
- How the costs are figured. Costs taken out before the fee can leave you a bit more.
- Medical liens. Large unpaid bills or pay-back claims come out of your share.
- Who’s at fault. If you share some blame, your recovery goes down by your share. (RCW 4.22.005)
An example of the math
Here’s a simple example. The numbers are made up to show how the pieces fit. They aren’t from a real case.
Example only: $60,000 settlement
Two things can change that last number a lot. First, your lawyer may get the medical bill or lien reduced. Second, finding all the insurance that applies can raise the settlement itself.
Personal injury lawyer cost by type of case
The fee works the same way across injury cases. It’s a share of what you recover, and only if you win. What changes from case to case is the work, the costs, and how long it takes.
- Car crashes. Often settle with the insurer. Costs are usually records, reports, and sometimes a doctor’s opinion.
- Slip and falls. You have to show the owner knew, or should have known, about the danger. That can mean more digging for video and records.
- Truck crashes. More parties and more records. These cases often need crash experts.
- Wrongful death. These are the hardest cases for families. They often need experts to show what was lost, now and in the future.
A case that needs more experts, or goes to trial, usually has higher case costs. Ask your lawyer what they expect in your case.
How long until you get paid?
The fee is paid when the case ends, so timing matters to you. Simple claims can settle in a few months. Serious injuries take longer. That’s because you should usually finish treatment first. Until then, no one knows the full cost of your injury.
Settling too early can cost you more than any lawyer’s fee. Once you sign a release, the claim is closed for good. Read how long a settlement takes.
The cost of not hiring a lawyer
Skipping the fee can look like a way to keep more money. Sometimes it is. Often it isn’t.
The insurance company has adjusters and lawyers on its side. Their job is to pay you as little as possible. Without help, people often:
- Take the first offer before they know how hurt they are
- Miss losses like future treatment or lost earning power
- Give a recorded statement that gets used against them
- Miss coverage they had, like their own PIP or MedPay
- Run out of time. In Washington, you usually have three years to file an injury lawsuit. (RCW 4.16.080)
On the other hand, a small claim with no injury may not need a lawyer at all. A good lawyer will tell you when you’re better off on your own. Read when to hire a personal injury lawyer.
What you get for the fee
It helps to know what the lawyer actually does. See what does a personal injury lawyer do for the full list. In short, the fee covers:
- Looking into the facts, finding witnesses, and getting reports and video
- Gathering your medical records and bills
- Finding every insurance policy that might pay
- Dealing with the adjusters, so you don’t have to
- Writing the demand and negotiating the settlement
- Filing a lawsuit and going to trial if the insurer won’t be fair
- Working down liens so more money reaches you
Questions to ask about cost before you sign
- What’s your percentage if we settle? If we go to trial? On appeal?
- Which case costs do you expect in my case?
- Do costs come out before or after your fee?
- Do I owe anything if we lose?
- Who will actually work on my case?
- Will you try to reduce my medical bills and liens?
- Will I get a written statement showing the final math?
Bring this list to your first meeting. For tips on getting ready, read how to prepare for a personal injury consultation. To compare firms, see how to find the best personal injury lawyer.
Is the first meeting free?
Many injury lawyers offer a free first meeting. Ours is free. We call it a free case review. You tell us what happened, and we tell you where you stand and how the fee works. There’s no charge and no pressure to sign. See what to expect in a free consultation.
FAQ
Do personal injury lawyers charge for the first meeting?
Many don’t. Ours is free. Ask before you go, so there are no surprises.
Do I pay the lawyer if I lose?
With a contingency fee, you don’t owe a fee if there’s no recovery. Ask about case costs, too. With us, you owe nothing if we don’t win.
Can I switch lawyers if I’m unhappy?
Yes. You can change lawyers. Your first lawyer may be owed something for work already done. Your fee agreement should explain how that works.
Is the fee negotiable?
Each lawyer sets their own terms. You can always ask. Whatever you agree to has to be in writing.
Does the fee come out before my medical bills are paid?
It depends on your agreement and your bills. Your final written statement shows the order and the amounts.
What does No Win, No Fee mean?
You pay nothing up front. Our fee comes out of the money we win for you. No hourly bills. No retainer. If we don’t win, you owe us nothing. Not even the case costs.
Find out what your case would cost
Hurt and worried about the cost of a lawyer? Call Rich Martin. He has handled more than 2,000 injury cases in 28 years. He’ll explain the fee in plain words and tell you honestly whether you need a lawyer at all. Your case review is free. No Win, No Fee.
Call (425) 635-2000 or get your free case review.
Keep reading
Top-Rated Brain Injury Attorneys in Bellevue
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) can change your life in an instant. If you or someone you love is living this reality, finding top-rated…
Physical Therapy After Brain Injury
On this pagePhysical Therapy for Brain Injury: What Washington Families Need to Know About Recovery, Rights, and RehabilitationThe Scope of Brain Injury in Washington…
Does Medical Insurance Cover Car Accidents
On this pageDoes Medical Insurance Cover Car Accidents in Washington State?Background: Who Pays Medical Bills After a Car Accident?What Is PIP Coverage in Washington?Does…