After a car accident, your life is suddenly filled with unexpected costs. There are the mounting medical bills, the repair costs for your vehicle, and the lost income from being unable to work. The financial strain can be immense, and the thought of adding another expense—like a lawyer’s fee—can seem overwhelming.
It’s one of the most common questions we hear from accident victims: “How much is this going to cost me?”
Many people believe that hiring a top-tier car accident lawyer is a luxury they simply can’t afford. They worry about high hourly rates and upfront retainers, and they may decide to go it alone, thinking they are saving money. This is a tragic misconception, and it’s one that can end up costing accident victims dearly.
The truth is, you can afford the best legal representation in Wisconsin. Here’s how it works.
The Contingency Fee Agreement: You Don’t Pay Unless We Win
Reputable personal injury law firms, including Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, handle all car accident cases on what is known as a contingency fee basis.
This is a simple, powerful promise to our clients: You will not pay us any attorney’s fees unless we win your case.
Let’s break down what that means for you:
- No Upfront Costs: You do not need to pay any money out of your own pocket to hire us. There is no retainer fee or initial payment required to get started on your case.
- No Hourly Bills: We do not bill you by the hour. You will never receive a surprise bill from us for phone calls, meetings, or the time we spend working on your case.
- We Cover All Case Expenses: A successful car accident claim requires resources. We cover all the upfront costs of litigation, which can include expert witness fees, court filing fees, deposition costs, and the cost of obtaining medical records. We are reimbursed for these expenses only if we successfully resolve your case.
- Our Fee is a Percentage of Your Recovery: If we win your case, our fee is a pre-determined percentage of the total amount of compensation we recover for you. This percentage is clearly outlined in our fee agreement, so there are no surprises.
This system is designed to provide access to justice for everyone, regardless of their financial situation. It allows you to have a team of experienced, aggressive attorneys on your side, leveling the playing field against the massive resources of the insurance companies.
The Percentage: What is Standard?
The standard contingency fee percentage can vary, but it typically ranges from 33.3% to 40% of the total settlement or verdict. The exact percentage may depend on the complexity of the case and at what stage it is resolved. For example, a case that settles before a lawsuit is filed may have a lower percentage than a case that goes all the way to a jury trial.
At Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler, we are completely transparent about our fee structure. We will discuss it with you in detail during your free initial consultation and provide you with a written agreement that clearly explains how our fee is calculated.
Why a Contingency Fee is a Win-Win
The contingency fee model creates a powerful partnership between you and your attorney. Our success is directly tied to your success. This means we are highly motivated to:
- Maximize Your Compensation: Since our fee is a percentage of your recovery, it is in our best interest to fight for the absolute maximum amount of compensation possible. We will not leave any money on the table.
- Work Efficiently: We are motivated to resolve your case as efficiently as possible, without unnecessary delays.
- Be Selective About Cases: We only take on cases that we believe have merit. If we agree to represent you, it’s because we are confident in our ability to win.
The Cost of Not Hiring a Lawyer
While it’s natural to be concerned about the cost of hiring a lawyer, it’s even more important to consider the cost of not hiring one. Studies have consistently shown that accident victims who have legal representation receive significantly higher settlements than those who go it alone—even after accounting for attorney’s fees.
Insurance companies are businesses. They will use every tactic they can to minimize your payout. Without a lawyer, you are at a severe disadvantage. You may end up:
- Accepting a lowball settlement that doesn’t cover your future medical needs.
- Unknowingly admitting partial fault, which will reduce your compensation.
- Missing critical deadlines that could bar you from recovering anything at all.
Hiring an attorney isn’t an expense; it’s an investment in your future.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q: Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?
A: No. With a contingency fee agreement, all costs and fees will be clearly laid out for you. A reputable firm will be transparent about the percentage and any case-related expenses that will be deducted from your settlement.
Q: If we lose the case, do I have to pay back the case expenses?
A: At our firm, if we do not win your case, you do not owe us anything—not for our time, and not for the case expenses we have paid. That is our commitment to you.
Q: Is the initial consultation really free?
A: Yes, absolutely. Your first meeting with us is always free, and there is no obligation to hire us. It’s an opportunity for you to tell us your story, for us to evaluate your case, and for you to decide if we are the right fit for you.
Contact a Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyer Today
Don’t let financial worries prevent you from getting the expert legal help you deserve. The dedicated attorneys at Fitzpatrick, Skemp & Butler are ready to fight for you. We have been representing accident victims throughout Wisconsin for decades, and we have the experience and resources to take on the toughest cases.
We invite you to visit our homepage to learn more about our firm and our results. Then, contact us at 608-784-4370 to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. Let us show you how we can help.”””