Reviewed by Alexander Karasik, Esq. – Personal Injury Law | 18+ Years Experience | Last Updated: April 2026

Reviewed by Alexander Karasik, Esq. – Personal Injury Attorney | Super Lawyers 2021-2024 | 19+ Years Experience | Last Updated: April 2026

Most car accident lawyers cost nothing upfront. They work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you only pay if you win your case. The typical contingency fee is around 33% of your settlement, though fees can range from 25% to 40% depending on the complexity of your case and whether it goes to trial. At Karasik Law Group, clients pay nothing unless and until there is a recovery.

This fee structure exists because personal injury attorneys understand that accident victims are already facing medical bills, lost wages, and vehicle repairs. Requiring payment upfront would prevent many injured people from accessing quality legal representation. Contingency fees remove that barrier and align your attorney’s interests with yours: they only get paid when you get paid.

What Is a Contingency Fee?

A contingency fee means your attorney’s payment is contingent on winning your case. If you do not recover compensation, you do not owe attorney fees. This arrangement shifts the financial risk from you to your lawyer.

Here is how it works in practice. You hire an attorney and sign a fee agreement specifying the contingency percentage. Your attorney handles your case, including investigation, negotiation, and litigation if necessary. When your case settles or you win at trial, your attorney receives their percentage from the recovery. If your case is unsuccessful, you owe nothing for attorney fees.

This model makes legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their current financial situation. It also motivates your attorney to maximize your recovery since their fee is directly tied to your result.

How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Take from a Settlement?

The standard contingency fee for car accident cases is approximately 33%, or one third of your total recovery. However, this percentage can vary based on several factors.

Factor	Typical Fee Range
Pre-litigation settlement	25% – 33%
After lawsuit filed / litigation	33% – 40%
Complex cases / multiple parties	Higher end of range
Straightforward / clear liability	Lower end of range

Case complexity affects the fee. Straightforward cases with clear liability and cooperative insurance companies may warrant lower percentages. Complex cases involving multiple parties, disputed fault, or extensive litigation typically command higher fees.

Stage of resolution often impacts the percentage. Many attorneys charge a lower fee, often 25% to 33%, if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed. If litigation becomes necessary, the fee may increase to 33% to 40% to account for the additional work involved in court proceedings.

Geographic location and local market rates play a role. Fees in major metropolitan areas like New York City may differ from those in smaller markets.

Attorney experience can influence fees. Highly experienced attorneys with strong track records may charge at the higher end of the range, but their expertise often results in larger settlements that more than offset the fee difference.

Always review the fee agreement carefully before signing. The percentage should be clearly stated, along with how it applies at different stages of your case.

Why Hiring a Lawyer Still Puts More Money in Your Pocket

The math often works in your favor even after paying attorney fees. This is the key point many accident victims miss when worrying about legal costs.

This is not hypothetical. Studies consistently show that accident victims with legal representation recover settlements significantly higher than those who handle claims alone. Insurance companies know that unrepresented claimants often do not understand the full value of their claims and are more likely to accept lowball offers.

Insurance adjusters are professionals trained to minimize payouts. They know exactly what tactics to use: delaying your claim, disputing your injuries, pressuring you to settle quickly before you understand your damages. An experienced attorney knows these tactics and how to counter them.

Your lawyer also calculates damages you might not think to include. Beyond current medical bills, there are future medical costs, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and impacts on your quality of life. Insurance companies will not volunteer to pay for damages you do not demand. If you are wondering whether it is worth the investment, read our article on whether it is worth getting an attorney for a car accident.

Are There Any Other Costs or Hidden Fees?

Beyond the contingency fee, there are case expenses that may apply. Understanding these upfront prevents surprises later.

Common case expenses include:

• Court filing fees if a lawsuit is filed
• Medical record retrieval costs to document your injuries
• Expert witness fees if specialists are needed to testify about your injuries or the accident
• Investigation expenses such as accident reconstruction
• Deposition costs if testimony is taken under oath
• Administrative and copying fees

How these expenses are handled varies by firm. Some attorneys deduct expenses from your settlement after the contingency fee is calculated. Others deduct expenses before calculating the fee. Some firms require you to pay expenses regardless of the outcome, while others only charge expenses if you win.

Always ask your attorney these questions before signing: Do I pay anything if my case is unsuccessful? Who pays for case expenses? Are expenses deducted before or after the contingency fee? What expenses should I expect in my case? A reputable firm will answer these questions clearly and put everything in writing.

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer

Asking the right questions helps you choose the best attorney for your case and ensures you understand exactly what you will pay.

About fees and costs: What is your contingency fee percentage? Does the percentage change if my case goes to trial? Who pays for case expenses like filing fees and expert witnesses? Do I owe anything if we do not win?

About your case: How strong do you think my case is? What is the potential value of my claim? How long do you expect my case to take? What challenges do you anticipate?

About communication: Will you handle my case personally or will it be assigned to other attorneys or staff? How will you keep me updated on my case? How quickly do you respond to client calls and emails?

About experience: How many car accident cases have you handled? What results have you achieved for similar cases? Will you take my case to trial if necessary?

A confident attorney welcomes these questions. If a lawyer seems evasive or unwilling to provide clear answers, consider that a red flag.

What Does No Win No Fee Really Mean?

“No Win No Fee” is another way of describing contingency fee arrangements. It means exactly what it says: if your case does not result in a recovery, you do not pay attorney fees.

This model protects you from financial risk. You do not need money in your pocket to hire a quality attorney. You do not gamble your savings on an uncertain outcome. Your attorney assumes the risk, investing their time and resources with no guarantee of payment.

The arrangement also aligns incentives. Your attorney is motivated to maximize your recovery because their fee is a percentage of what you receive. A $100,000 settlement at 33% pays the attorney $33,000. A $50,000 settlement pays only $16,500. Your lawyer benefits when you benefit.

However, “No Win No Fee” does not always mean “no cost ever.” Some firms still charge for case expenses even if you lose. Others, like Karasik Law Group, advance all costs and only collect if there is a recovery. Clarify this distinction before hiring any attorney.

Free Consultations: Evaluate Your Case at No Cost

Most car accident attorneys offer free initial consultations. This meeting allows you to discuss your case, understand your options, and evaluate the attorney before making any commitment.

At Karasik Law Group, Alexander Karasik personally conducts consultations. This gives you direct access to the attorney who will handle your case, not a paralegal or intake specialist.

Use your free consultation to describe what happened and get an honest assessment of your case, understand the potential value of your claim, learn about the attorney’s fee structure and costs, ask about their experience with similar cases, and determine if you feel comfortable working with this attorney.

A consultation costs you nothing but could reveal whether you have a case worth pursuing and how much it might be worth. There is no obligation to hire the attorney after the consultation. Schedule your free consultation today.

Why Brooklyn Accident Victims Choose Karasik Law Group

When cost is a concern, you need an attorney who delivers results without adding financial stress to an already difficult situation.

Karasik Law Group is a boutique Brooklyn personal injury firm with nearly 19 years of experience representing accident victims throughout New York City and New Jersey. The firm’s contingency fee model means you pay nothing unless you win, and all litigation costs are advanced by the firm.

Proven results justify the investment. Karasik Law Group has secured significant settlements including a $700,000 car accident settlement for a client with spinal injuries and a $950,000 truck accident settlement. The firm has achieved multimillion dollar results across personal injury, wrongful death, and medical malpractice cases.

Direct access to your attorney means your case gets personal attention. You can speak directly with Alexander Karasik by phone, text, email, or in person. The firm constantly keeps clients informed through every available communication method.

Trial ready representation matters because insurance companies know which lawyers will actually go to court. Alexander Karasik is a trial attorney who will take your case to trial if necessary. That willingness to fight often produces better settlement offers.

Convenience when you need it. The firm can meet you at your home or in the hospital if you cannot travel. They serve all NYC boroughs and New Jersey, with staff who communicate in Spanish, Russian, Uzbek, and Georgian.

Alexander Karasik has been recognized by Super Lawyers from 2021 through 2024. His philosophy guides every case: “We provide bespoke, individualized, highly personalized service to our clients and fight relentlessly to achieve top results. We pride ourselves on exceeding our client’s expectations.”

Client Giovanni shared his experience: “This is without a doubt the best attorney in New York. Where others told me my case was not worth a shot, Lawyer Alexander Karasik took my case. I was in a bike and car accident. I had back and leg injuries. Lawyer Alexander Karasik successfully won my case. It took a little bit of time but well worth it. Very very very generous. I will forever be grateful.”

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay anything upfront to hire a car accident lawyer?

No. Most car accident lawyers work on contingency, meaning you pay nothing upfront. At Karasik Law Group, the firm advances all costs of litigation. You pay nothing unless and until there is a recovery.

What percentage do most car accident lawyers charge?

The standard contingency fee is around 33% of your settlement. Fees can range from 25% to 40% depending on case complexity and whether litigation is required. The percentage should be clearly stated in your fee agreement.

Do I owe anything if my case does not win?

At most contingency fee firms, you do not owe attorney fees if your case is unsuccessful. However, some firms charge for case expenses regardless of outcome. At Karasik Law Group, clients pay nothing unless there is a recovery.

Are consultations free?

Yes. Karasik Law Group offers free consultations with Alexander Karasik, the founder of the firm. This allows you to discuss your case and understand your options without any obligation.

What expenses might come out of my settlement?

Common expenses include court filing fees, medical record retrieval, expert witness fees, and investigation costs. How these are handled varies by firm. Ask your attorney whether expenses are deducted before or after the contingency fee and whether you owe expenses if you lose.

Can I negotiate the contingency fee?

Sometimes. Attorneys may negotiate fees for particularly strong cases or clients with multiple cases. It never hurts to ask, but remember that experience and results often matter more than saving a few percentage points on fees.

Is it worth hiring a lawyer for a small accident?

It depends on your injuries and damages. For minor property damage with no injuries, legal fees may not make financial sense. For any case involving injuries, medical bills, or disputed liability, consulting an attorney is wise. The consultation is free, and an honest attorney will tell you if your case warrants representation.

How long will it take to resolve my case?

That depends on many factors. As Alexander Karasik notes: “A case can be resolved in months or 2 to 3 years depending on circumstances.” Your attorney will give you realistic expectations based on your specific situation during your consultation.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Contact a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for case-specific guidance.