A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where you only pay attorney fees if your lawyer wins your car accident case.
In Missouri, this means no upfront costs, no hourly bills, and no financial risk while pursuing compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages from work after a car accident. Personal injury attorneys typically work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of your settlement or verdict that may increase if your case progresses through litigation.
After a car accident, you’re already dealing with medical bills, out-of-pocket expenses, time away from work, and the stress of recovery. The last thing you need is to worry about paying legal fees while fighting for the compensation you deserve.
Contingency fees remove this barrier, allowing you to access experienced legal representation regardless of your current financial situation.
How Contingency Fees Compare to Hourly or Flat Fees
Most car accident attorneys in Missouri use contingency fees instead of hourly billing. The fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict, typically between 25-40%. Understanding the difference shows why this arrangement works better for accident victims.
With hourly fees, attorneys charge for the time they spend working on your case regardless of whether you win or lose. You could spend thousands before your case even gets started. That’s money most people don’t have after a serious car accident.
Flat fees require payment upfront for specific tasks. You pay even if the outcome isn’t what you hoped for. This doesn’t work well for injury cases because we can’t predict how much work your case will need.
Contingency fees align our interests with yours. We both want maximum compensation because that’s how we both benefit. At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we take on all the financial risk so you don’t have to.
What Percentage Do Missouri Lawyers Charge?
Missouri law requires contingency fees to be “reasonable” but doesn’t set a specific cap. Most car accident contingency-fee arrangements fall within a common percentage range, with the lowest rate typically applied to pre-lawsuit settlements.
Many firms use sliding scale arrangements where percentages increase as your case progresses:
- Pre-lawsuit settlement: 33.3%
- After filing lawsuit: 40%
- If case goes to trial: 40-45%
- If case is appealed: 45%
The exact percentage depends on your case’s complexity, potential value, and your attorney’s experience. More complicated cases or those requiring trial work justify higher percentages because they demand significantly more time and resources.
What Fees and Costs Apply in Car Accident Claims?
Attorney fees are different from case costs. The contingency fee pays for our legal expertise and time. Case costs cover out-of-pocket expenses needed to build your claim.
Common Case Expenses
Building a strong case requires gathering evidence and hiring experts. These litigation costs are separate from attorney fees:
- Medical record fees: $50-500
- Expert witness fees: $500-5,000+
- Court filing fees: $200-400
- Deposition costs: $500-2,000
- Accident reconstruction: $2,000-10,000
These are actual expenses paid to third parties, not profit for the law firm.
How Costs Are Deducted
We advance all case costs so you never pay anything out-of-pocket during your case. When we secure your settlement, these costs are deducted from the total amount.
You should always ask whether attorney fees are calculated before or after expenses are deducted. This affects your final recovery. Our agreements clearly explain this so there are no surprises.
Sample Settlement Disbursement
Here’s how a $100,000 settlement might be distributed:
- Total settlement: $100,000
- Attorney fee (33.3%): $33,333
- Case expenses: $5,000
- Medical liens: $20,000
- Your net recovery: $41,667
This breakdown shows exactly where settlement money goes and what you can expect to receive.
How the Contingency Process Works from Start to Finish
The process begins when you sign a written contingency fee agreement. We review every detail with you before you sign anything. From that moment, we handle your entire case without any payment from you.
We manage all insurance company communications, gather evidence, and negotiate on your behalf. You focus on recovering while we handle the legal work.
When we reach a settlement, the insurance company sends the check to our firm. We then distribute funds according to our signed agreement, paying case costs, our fee, and medical liens before sending you the remainder.
Sliding Scale Triggers
Fee percentages can change based on how far your case progresses. Specific events that may trigger higher percentages include:
- Filing a lawsuit: More paperwork, court deadlines, and legal procedures
- Scheduling mediation: Formal settlement conferences requiring preparation
- Setting trial date: Extensive trial preparation and courtroom time
- Filing appeals: Additional legal research and appellate brief writing
Fees increase because these steps require significantly more attorney time and legal expertise.
Who Pays if There Is No Recovery?
If we don’t win your case, you owe us zero attorney fees. “No recovery” means no settlement, verdict, or compensation of any kind.
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, we also absorb all case expenses if there’s no recovery. You won’t be asked to reimburse filing fees, expert costs, or other litigation expenses if your case is unsuccessful.
This risk-free arrangement makes justice accessible to everyone. You can pursue your claim without worrying about legal bills if things don’t work out.
What Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Every client should ask these essential questions before hiring any car accident lawyer:
- What is your exact contingency fee percentage?
- Does the percentage change if we go to trial?
- Are expenses deducted before or after calculating your fee?
- Who pays case expenses if we lose?
- Can you provide a written fee agreement?
- How long after settlement will I receive my money?
Never sign anything you don’t fully understand. A good lawyer will take time to explain everything clearly and answer all your questions.
What Cases Cannot Use Contingency Fees in Missouri?
While contingency fees work perfectly for car accident claims, Missouri law prohibits them in certain situations. Understanding these restrictions helps you know what to expect.
You cannot use contingency fees for criminal defense cases. Ethical rules prevent attorneys from being paid based on whether you’re found guilty or innocent. This protects defendants from potential conflicts of interest.
Divorce and family law cases also prohibit contingency fees. This includes custody disputes, child support, and alimony cases. The law wants to prevent attorneys from having financial incentives that might not align with family interests.
Some government claims may have specific restrictions on attorney fees. These vary depending on the type of claim and which government entity is involved.
Factors That Affect Contingency Fee Percentages
Several factors influence what percentage your attorney might charge. Understanding these helps you evaluate different fee arrangements.
Case complexity plays a major role. Simple rear-end accidents with clear fault typically justify lower percentages. Complex cases involving multiple vehicles, disputed liability, or severe injuries may warrant higher fees.
The stage where your case resolves also matters. Cases settling quickly through insurance negotiations require less work than those going to trial, which is why settling a Missouri car accident claim versus going to trial affects fee percentages. This explains the sliding scale structures most firms use.
Your attorney’s experience and track record affect fees too. More experienced lawyers with proven results may charge higher percentages, but they often secure larger settlements that more than offset the increased fee.
The potential value of your case influences fee structures. High-value cases may justify lower percentages because the total fee amount is still substantial for the attorney.
How Medical Bills and Liens Affect Your Recovery
Medical bills and medical liens can significantly impact how much money you actually receive from your settlement. Understanding this process helps you plan accordingly.
If you used health insurance, MedPay, or received treatment on liens, these providers may have rights to repayment from your settlement. We review every lien and work to negotiate reductions whenever possible.
Health insurance companies often claim reimbursement rights under subrogation clauses. We challenge inappropriate lien claims and negotiate with providers to reduce what you owe.
Medical providers who treated you on liens also expect payment from your settlement. We work with doctors and hospitals to accept reduced payments, keeping more money in your pocket.
Our goal is maximizing your net recovery after all fees, costs, and liens are paid. We don’t just focus on the gross settlement amount, but on what you actually take home.
When Contingency Fees Are Worth It
Contingency fees provide tremendous value for car accident victims. You gain immediate access to skilled legal advocates who share your goal of maximum recovery.
We handle all case expenses, often totaling thousands of dollars, while protecting you from insurance company tactics designed to minimize your recovery. This includes expert witnesses, medical records, and investigation costs you couldn’t afford on your own.
Our experience negotiating with insurance companies typically results in settlements far exceeding what you could obtain alone. The increased recovery usually more than covers our fee.
You also avoid the stress of dealing with adjusters, paperwork, and legal deadlines. We handle everything while you focus on recovering from your injuries.
Skilled Car Accident Law Firm Serving Missouri Accident Victims Since 1990
Contingency fees remove financial barriers that might prevent you from getting justice. You can afford the same quality legal representation as anyone else, regardless of your current financial situation.
Time is critical in car accident cases. Missouri’s statute of limitations puts deadlines on your right to file claims. Evidence in Missouri car accident claims disappears and witness memories fade if you wait too long.
Contact Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers today for a free consultation. We have a long history of helping Missouri accident victims and are committed to securing the best possible outcomes for our clients. Let us put our experience to work for you.
FAQ
Are Contingency Fees Negotiable in Missouri Car Accident Cases?
Yes, contingency fees are negotiable, but most experienced firms charge similar percentages based on industry standards and case complexity.
Does the Percentage Change if We File a Lawsuit or Go to Trial?
Most agreements include sliding scales where fees increase from 33.3% pre-suit to 40% after filing a lawsuit due to increased work and risk.
Is the Fee Calculated Before or After Case Expenses?
This varies by firm and should be clearly stated in your agreement, as it significantly affects your net recovery amount.
Will I Owe Case Expenses if There Is No Recovery?
At Beck & Beck Missouri Car Accident Lawyers, you owe nothing for case expenses if we don’t win your case, but always verify this in your written agreement.
How Do Medical Liens and MedPay Affect My Take-Home Amount?
Medical liens must be paid from your settlement before you receive funds, but your attorney should negotiate these down to maximize your recovery.
Do Contingency Fees Apply to Property Damage Claims?
Property damage claims are often handled separately without contingency fees, as insurers typically pay vehicle repairs directly.
How Fast Will I Receive My Settlement After Fees and Costs Are Deducted?
Most clients receive settlement funds within 2-4 weeks after the insurance company issues payment, depending on lien resolution complexity.
What Happens if My Case Goes to Appeal?
Appeal cases typically increase the contingency fee percentage to 45% due to the additional legal work and time required for appellate proceedings.
