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November 4th, 2025 After a vehicle accident, you’re likely facing mounting medical bills, repair costs, and lost wages. The last thing you need is another financial burden. That’s why many accident victims hesitate to call an attorney, worried about legal fees they simply can’t afford right now.
At Hess Injury Law, we understand these concerns. Here’s the truth about personal injury attorney costs that might surprise you.
Most personal injury attorneys, including our team at Hess Injury Law, work on what’s called a “contingency fee basis.” This means we only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
This arrangement offers several important benefits:
There are no upfront costs or hourly fees – we only receive payment when you receive your settlement or verdict award.
The standard contingency fee for personal injury cases typically ranges from 33% to 40% of the recovered amount. This percentage may vary depending on:
At Hess Injury Law, we’re completely transparent about our fee structure. During your free initial consultation, we’ll explain exactly how our contingency fees work and answer any questions you might have.
Beyond attorney fees, personal injury cases may involve other expenses:
If we don’t win your case, you generally won’t be responsible for these advanced costs. We’ll discuss the specific details during your consultation.
Many accident victims wonder if they’ll actually come out ahead after paying attorney fees. It’s a valid concern, but research consistently shows that accident victims with legal representation typically receive significantly higher settlements than those who handle claims themselves – even after accounting for attorney fees.
Why? Because experienced personal injury attorneys:
There’s no risk in speaking with us, and the information you gain could be crucial to moving forward.
Insurance companies handle claims daily – they’re experts at minimizing payouts. Without legal representation, you’re at a significant disadvantage when negotiating with these experienced professionals.
We’ve seen many cases where insurance companies use deceptive tactics with unrepresented accident victims. For example, offering a seemingly fair settlement that actually includes medical payments already made by the victim’s own insurance (PIP coverage). After the victim agrees, they receive a much smaller check than expected because the insurer deducted these payments without clearly explaining this beforehand.
An experienced personal injury attorney protects you from these tactics and ensures you understand exactly what you’re agreeing to before accepting any settlement.
At Hess Injury Law, we offer free, no-obligation consultations to all potential clients. During this initial meeting, we’ll:
Even if you ultimately decide to handle your claim independently, we can provide guidance on case value and negotiation tactics that will help you advocate for yourself.
No. At Hess Injury Law, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay any upfront costs or retainer fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you through a settlement or court verdict.
Generally, if we don’t win your case, you won’t owe us attorney fees. However, in some situations, you might be responsible for certain court costs. During your free consultation, we’ll clearly explain our fee structure and any potential costs so there are no surprises.
While having an attorney might extend the timeline slightly compared to accepting an insurance company’s first offer, this is usually beneficial. The additional time allows us to build a stronger case, document your injuries fully, and negotiate a significantly higher settlement. Most personal injury cases settle without going to trial, typically resolving within several months to a year, depending on case complexity and your recovery timeline.
When your case settles, the payment typically goes to your attorney first. From there, your attorney will:
We always provide a detailed settlement statement showing exactly how your money was distributed.
If you’ve been injured in a vehicle accident, don’t let concerns about legal fees prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve. At Hess Injury Law, the consultation is free, and we only get paid if we win your case.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you navigate the aftermath of your accident and fight for the full compensation you deserve. Your road to recovery – and justice – starts here.
Disclaimer: The content of this blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. It should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional legal counsel.
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Injury Law. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.