Hurt in a car or truck crash?
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What you pay upfront
For most people hurt in a crash, paying a lawyer by the hour is not realistic, especially while they are missing work and paying medical bills. That is why injury lawyers commonly work on contingency. You sign an agreement, the lawyer works the case, and the fee comes out of the settlement or verdict at the end. Under a typical contingency agreement, you do not write a check to start.
Before you sign, ask whether there are any charges you could owe during the case, such as fees for records or filing. A reputable lawyer will answer plainly. Keep a copy of the signed agreement. Read what percentage accident lawyers take for more on how the percentage itself is set.
Fees and costs are different
The fee is what the lawyer earns. Costs are money spent to build the case, such as police reports, medical records, filing fees, deposition transcripts and expert reviews. In a short claim that settles before a lawsuit, costs may be small. In a case that goes to court, they can grow. California requires the fee agreement to explain how costs are handled.
Ask two questions about costs. First, are costs subtracted before or after the fee is calculated? Second, do you owe costs if the case is lost? The answers change what you take home. You can see how all the deductions fit together in how much of a settlement you keep.
Free accident case review
Tell us what happened. We will tell you plainly whether there is a case and what to do next. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
When hiring a lawyer makes financial sense
If you handle a claim yourself, you keep the whole amount, so the real question is whether a lawyer can add more than the fee. That is more likely when you were hurt, when fault is disputed, when several insurers are involved, or when medical liens need to be negotiated. California hospital liens are limited to up to 50 percent of the money owed to you after prior liens, and lawyers often ask other providers to reduce their bills.
Fault rules matter too. California uses pure comparative fault, so insurers often argue that you share the blame in order to lower what they pay. A lawyer can gather the evidence to answer that argument. If you are still deciding whether you need help at all, read do I need a lawyer for a car accident.
What to do now
Get medical care and keep every record and bill. Take photos of the scene, the cars and your injuries, and write down witness names and claim numbers. Do not sign a release or give a recorded statement to the other driver’s insurer before you talk with a lawyer. Those early steps cost nothing and protect your claim whatever you decide.
Talk with more than one lawyer if you want, and compare their agreements side by side. A California injury lawsuit must generally be filed within two years, and a claim against a city or county generally requires a written claim within six months, so do not wait. Call Beverly Law at (310) 552-6959 or use the form on this page.
- What is the percentage, and does it change if a lawsuit is filed?
- How are costs handled, and do I owe them if we lose?
- Will I owe anything during the case?
- Can I take the agreement home to read first?
Common questions
Do I have to pay a lawyer anything upfront?
Under a typical contingency fee agreement, no. The fee comes out of the recovery at the end. Ask whether any costs could be billed to you during the case, and get the answer in writing. At Beverly Law the rule is simple. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Are lawyer fees taken from my settlement or paid separately?
With a contingency fee, the fee is taken from the settlement or verdict, usually through the lawyer’s trust account, before the rest is paid out. You should receive a written breakdown showing the fee, the costs, any liens and your net amount before you approve the distribution.
Is it cheaper to handle my claim without a lawyer?
You keep the whole amount if you handle it yourself, but you also do all the work and face the insurer alone. For a small property damage claim, that may make sense. For an injury claim with disputed fault, liens or low limits, a lawyer may bring in more than the fee. Read whether to accept the first offer.
Can I switch lawyers if I am unhappy?
Many people change lawyers during a case. How the first lawyer is paid for work already done depends on the agreement and the facts. Read the section of any agreement that covers ending the relationship before you sign. If you are thinking about switching, ask the new lawyer how fees would be handled.
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Car and truck accident lawyer — Beverly Law
If you were hurt in a car or truck crash in California and Washington, talk to a personal injury attorney. Free, confidential, English or Spanish. You owe no fees or costs unless we win.
Related pages
The insurance company made a lowball offer: how to respond · Should I accept the first settlement offer after a car accident? · How long does a car accident settlement take? · Is a car accident settlement taxable? · Car accident settlement with no injuries: what you can claim · All car and truck accident questions
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Important: This page is general information about California and Washington law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; talk to a lawyer about yours. Last reviewed: November 5, 2026.