It is understandable to wonder if incurring the additional expense of a car accident lawyer is the best decision. In most cases you will obtain far more compensation by utilizing the services of a skilled car accident lawyer.
How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost in California?
How much does a car accident lawyer cost in a California auto accident case? In 2025, the short answer is most car accident lawyers charge a fee of 33.33% of the settlement amount the lawyer obtains for the client. If your case requires litigation such as trial or arbitration proceedings, the car accident lawyer’s contingency fee percentage may increase to 40% of the amount recovered.
If you’ve been injured in a car accident in the Bay Area, you’re probably dealing with serious injuries, pain and suffering, mounting medical bills, lost wages, a damaged vehicle – and a whole lot of stress. One common question when thinking about hiring a lawyer is: “How much does a car accident lawyer cost?”
The good news? Most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement with no upfront or out of pocket costs.
Here’s why most people in California (and especially in San Francisco Bay Area and the surrounding areas) can hire a top-rated car accident lawyer with no upfront costs, and with a likely case outcome far better than what could be obtained if you were self-represented.
The Standard: Contingency Fee Agreements
In California, almost all car accident lawyers, and personal injury attorneys work on what’s called a contingency fee basis. That means:
- You pay nothing upfront
- The lawyer only gets paid if they recover financial compensation for you
- Their fee is paid from the compensation they recover for you and their fee amount is a percentage of the compensation they recover for you
This model allows injured victims to access high-quality legal representation – without worrying about hourly rates, retainers, or legal bills piling up while they’re working on your case. You get the benefit of a skilled lawyer handling your case with no upfront out-of-pocket expense.
How Much Is the Lawyer’s Fee?
While every personal injury law firm is different, the typical contingency fee in California is:
- 33.3% (one-third) if your settlement or award occurs before a lawsuit is filed
- 40% if the case goes to trial or requires extensive litigation
Fees may be negotiable depending on the size and complexity of your case.
For example:
- If your lawyer settles your case for $90,000, a one-third fee would mean $30,000 goes to the attorney, and you receive the remaining $60,000, minus any case costs the lawyer advanced during your case.
- If the case goes to court, the percentage may increase – but so does the work involved. Often cases that go to litigation will result in a higher amount of compensation recovered.
At The Hassell Law Group, we only charge a fee if we recover money for you – and we always explain our fee structure clearly upfront in writing.
What About Case Costs?
In addition to attorney fees, personal injury cases may involve your lawyer advancing case costs on your case for things such as:
- Court filing fees
- Expert witness reports
- Court reporters and depositions
- Fees charged by outside entities who provide medical, police and DMV records
- Private investigators
- Mediation costs
Many law firms, including ours, advance these costs for you, meaning you don’t pay out of pocket during the case. Once your case is resolved, those costs are reimbursed to the attorney out of the settlement or verdict, just like the attorney’s fee.
You’ll always know what to expect ahead of time, and reputable firms like The Hassell Law Group will provide transparency and a full accounting for every expense.
No Win = No Fee: What This Really Means
The phrase “no win, no fee” is exactly what it sounds like: if your attorney doesn’t recover money for you, you owe nothing.
This risk-sharing model aligns your attorney’s interests with yours – they don’t get paid unless they succeed with your case.
It also means that lawyers only take cases they believe in, and they’re motivated to pursue the maximum possible compensation. It’s a win-win situation for the client and the attorney.
Is Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Worth It?
Absolutely it is- and here’s why:
Insurance industry studies have shown that people who hire a lawyer for their car accident claim recover significantly more, often 3.5 times more, than those who go it alone. In some instances, the recovery can be much, much more than 3.5 times. Factors that impact how much more include the quality and reputation of the attorney and law firm you hire. Insurance companies are known for lowballing unrepresented claimants, and once you accept a settlement, it’s final. You can’t go back and ask for more.
A skilled car accident lawyer can:
- Determine the true value of your case
- Handle all communication and negotiations with insurers
- Gather evidence and build a strong case for you
- Accurately determine and claim all of your legally recoverable damages
- Negotiate for maximum compensation – or file a lawsuit if needed
This is especially important if:
- You’ve suffered serious injuries
- You’ve missed work
- Your case involves Uber or Lyft rideshare vehicles, a government vehicle, or disputed fault
- The insurance company is stalling, low balling, or denying your claim
Why Choose a Bay Area Car Accident Attorney?
Laws are state-specific — but a lawyer’s local knowledge matters, too.
A San Francisco Bay Area Car Accident Attorney will have knowledge of:
- Local traffic patterns and accident hotspots
- Local medical providers and local courts and judges
- How to deal with Northern California insurance adjusters
- Regional nuances that can impact your claim, such as local laws and municipal codes that might be relevant to your claim
At The Hassell Law Group, we’ve recovered millions for car accident victims across San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, and surrounding cities – and we know how to get your claim paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to pay anything upfront?
No. Most car accident lawyers in California, including our firm, charge nothing upfront and only collect if they recover compensation for you.
Can I still afford a lawyer if I’m out of work?
Yes. Contingency fees are designed for people who are financially strained due to an accident. You don’t pay anything unless we win. We are paid from the amount we recover.
Will I owe anything if I lose?
No. If we don’t recover compensation for you, you owe us nothing – not even for case costs.
How much more can I get with a lawyer?
Every case is unique, but research shows injured victims with legal representation recover significantly more than those without a lawyer – even after attorney’s fees.
Is a higher fee always bad?
Not necessarily. A more experienced trial lawyer might charge 40% – but also win you a much higher settlement. It’s about reputation and value, not just percentage. Be wary of lawyers who offer much lower fees.
Final Thoughts: You Can Afford Legal Help — And You Deserve It
Don’t let the fear of legal costs stop you from getting the help you need. With contingency-based pricing, you have nothing to lose – and everything to gain. The lawyer takes all the risk.
Whether your crash happened on the Bay Bridge, I-280, or a side street in Oakland, The Hassell Law Group is here to help. We offer free consultations – and if we don’t win your case, you don’t pay anything.
We offer California Car Accident Victims a Free Consultation, with No Attorney’s Fees Unless We Recover
At The Hassell Law Group, our legal team are experts in car accident law and personal injury law and have over 100 years of combined legal experience. Experience matters. We stand up to aggressive insurance companies and our record of award-winning results for our clients shows this. We fight hard to obtain the best possible outcome for our car accident clients. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means there is no risk in hiring our law firm.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We welcome your questions, and our legal team looks forward to helping you get your car accident injury claim paid.
Read next: Do I need an attorney to get a car accident settlement?
The general information provided on this website should not be considered legal advice and does not constitute legal advice. For legal advice, you should consult directly with an attorney. If you contact us by telephone, email, letter, or by contact form submission through this website, please note that such communication does not create or constitute an attorney-client relationship. We cannot act as your attorney until we are hired as your attorney by a formal written agreement.
Do I Need An Attorney To Get A Car Accident Settlement?