How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost? How Contingency Fees Work

How much does a personal injury lawyer charge? With a contingency fee, the lawyer's fee depends on winning your case. Many personal injury lawyers work this way, including Kent Law.

This guide explains how contingency fees work in Arizona in plain terms. It covers what the written fee agreement must say, what happens at a free case review, and what to ask before you sign.

At Kent Law, it is simple: No fee unless we win, and your case review is free.

What "contingency fee" means in plain terms

"Contingent" means "depends on." A contingency fee is a lawyer's fee that depends on the result of your case.

This is different from paying a lawyer by the hour. Your lawyer's fee is tied to the outcome, not to the hours on a clock.

At Kent Law, it works this way: No fee unless we win.

The exact terms are in a written fee agreement. Before you sign anything, we sit down with you and explain that agreement.

Arizona requires your fee agreement in writing

In Arizona, a contingency fee agreement must be in writing, signed by the client, and explain how the fee is calculated.

That protects you. You should know exactly how your lawyer's fee works before your case starts.

Here is how to handle the agreement:

1. Read the whole thing. Take your time.
2. Circle any word or sentence you don't understand.
3. Ask about each one. You deserve clear answers in plain English.
4. Sign only when you understand how the fee is calculated.
5. Keep a copy for your records.

A lawyer who wants your trust will welcome your questions.

Need help? Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT for a free case review. No fee unless we win. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.

What happens at a free case review

A free case review is a conversation about what happened to you and what comes next. You tell us about the crash or injury. We listen, ask questions, and explain your options.

Bring what you have. You don't need everything. Helpful items include:

1. Photos of the scene, the vehicles, and your injuries
2. The police or crash report number
3. Insurance information for you and the other driver
4. Any medical records you have

Missing something? Call anyway. We can talk through what you have and what to gather next.

We usually meet at our office in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video.

Questions to ask any lawyer before you sign

Before you sign with any lawyer, get straight answers to these four questions.

1. Who will handle my case? Find out which lawyer will work on your case day to day and who you can call with questions.
2. How will you keep me updated? Ask how often you'll hear from the firm and how to reach your lawyer.
3. How is the fee calculated? The written agreement must explain this. Have the lawyer walk you through it.
4. What happens next? Ask what the first steps are after you sign and what the firm needs from you.

If the answers are vague, keep asking until they are clear. This is your case and your recovery.

Why a contingency fee helps you take on the insurance company

The insurance company has adjusters and lawyers. Their job is to pay as little as possible on your claim. They do this every day.

You are hurt. You may be out of work. You are trying to heal. That is not a fair fight.

A contingency fee helps level the field. It lets injured people hire a lawyer to push back against the insurance company. And because your lawyer's fee depends on winning, your lawyer has every reason to build a strong case.

Most of Kent Law's cases are motor vehicle collisions, including car accidents, truck crashes, and motorcycle crashes. We also handle pedestrian and bicycle accidents, dog bites, slip and falls, wrongful death, and other personal injury cases. We fight for every penny of compensation you deserve, and we don't back down.

How Kent Law explains your fee agreement before you sign

Before you sign, we go over the written fee agreement with you, line by line. We explain how the fee is calculated. We answer every question until you are comfortable.

You don't have to decide on the spot. Take the time you need to read it.

If you prefer Spanish, our Spanish-speaking staff can help, and interpretation is always available.

Founding partner Adam C. Kent has practiced law in Arizona since 2006. He started his career as a prosecutor with the Maricopa County Attorney's Office and founded Kent Law in 2011. Our team believes clients should understand their agreement before any work begins. Call Kent Law before you give a recorded statement to any insurer, including your own. Your policy may require you to cooperate with your own insurer, and we can help you do that.

How Kent Law can help

Kent Law focuses on personal injury. We take the fight to the insurance company, and we're ready to take your case to trial if it comes to that. The firm has handled thousands of injury cases, and we recover millions of dollars for injured clients every year. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

We work from one office in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. From there, we serve Phoenix, Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, and Mesa. We usually meet at our office. If you can't get here, we can come to you at the hospital or at home, or meet by phone or video. We also represent injured people in west Phoenix and Maryvale, south Phoenix, central Phoenix, Glendale and Avondale.

Start with a free case review. No fee unless we win, and we explain the written fee agreement before you sign.

Call Kent Law at (480) 359-KENT to schedule your free case review.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.

Se habla español. Interpretation is always available.

Related: Free case review

This article is general information, not legal advice. Every case is different.