An accident lawyer should not charge you anything up front. Lawyers usually accept car accident and other personal injury cases on a contingency fee. That means that if and when they get a settlement or financial award for you, they receive a percentage of that award (usually about a third) as their fee. If they don’t get you any money, you don’t owe any attorney fees. The expenses involved in bringing your case usually also come out of any financial recovery.

Accident lawyers take cases on contingency because their clients are usually under financial pressure, often with high medical bills and reduced income. This system gives the attorney an extra incentive to work hard for the client and makes sure that a client’s lack of resources isn’t a barrier to them getting the justice they deserve.