If you’ve been in a car accident in Texas, you’re probably juggling pain, doctor’s visits, lost income, a lot of stress, and unanswered questions. One of the most significant issues people injured by negligent drivers often worry about is money. You may wonder how you’re going to pay medical bills, cover your regular expenses, provide for your family, and still afford a Texas car accident lawyer. It's a fair question—and one we’re going to answer fully.
At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we speak with injured Texans every day who are in the same position you’re in now. They're not just looking for someone to file paperwork or talk to insurance companies. They're looking for guidance, clarity, and someone who knows how to get results when everything feels uncertain.
So, let’s break down exactly how legal fees work after a car accident in Texas, what to expect from a personal injury lawyer, and what it really costs to get the legal help you need.
Call us at (210) 941-1306 for a free consultation or contact us below. No cost to you unless we win.
Key Takeaways
- Most Texas car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee, meaning you pay nothing upfront.
- You only pay attorney’s fees if the lawyer successfully recovers compensation for you.
- Typical contingency fees range between 33% and 40%, depending on case complexity and whether it goes to trial.
- Legal costs such as court filing fees, expert witnesses, and medical records are usually advanced by the law firm and reimbursed from the final settlement.
- Hiring a lawyer often results in a higher net recovery, even after fees are deducted.
- Texas law requires written contingency agreements that clearly explain fees, costs, and client obligations.
- A lawyer protects you from insurance tactics, builds your case, and helps avoid costly mistakes, especially if you’re partially blamed for the accident.
- Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock offers contingency-based representation, provides clear communication, and takes on the financial risk so you don’t have to.
Most Car Accident Lawyers in Texas Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
For most injury victims, the idea of paying a lawyer out of pocket isn’t realistic. Fortunately, personal injury lawyers in Texas don’t usually charge hourly fees or flat rates. They work on what’s called a contingency fee. This approach means you don’t pay anything unless the lawyer successfully recovers compensation for you.
In other words, your lawyer only gets paid if you get paid.
This structure is designed to protect people who are already under financial stress. You won’t be asked to pay a retainer or monthly bills. Instead, if your case results in a settlement or verdict, your attorney will take a percentage of that amount as their fee. Their fees come out of the recovery they secure for you, not out of your pocket.
What Does a Contingency Fee Cover?
A contingency fee typically covers more than just the lawyer’s time. It also includes:
- Case investigation and evidence gathering
- Legal strategy development
- Negotiations with insurance companies
- Preparation for trial, if necessary
- Time spent with you and your family
Your attorney will advance these costs and take on the financial risk of the case. If the case is lost, you don’t owe anything for their time.
How Much Is the Percentage?
Most contingency fees in Texas are set at about one-third of the final recovery, depending on when the case is resolved and how complex it becomes. For example, if your case settles before a lawsuit is filed, the fee might be at the lower end of the range. If your claim becomes a car accident lawsuit and your case goes to trial, the percentage may increase due to the additional time, effort, and risk involved.
Will I Be Charged for Legal Costs and Expenses?
In addition to attorney’s fees, other case-related expenses may come up. These include things such as court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, or costs for obtaining medical records.
Reputable law firms will explain how these expenses are handled. Most will front the costs and deduct them from the final settlement or award. Make sure your agreement with the attorney clearly outlines this.
You should never feel surprised by deductions taken from your recovery. A good lawyer will make this all clear at the beginning.
What Makes a Lawyer Worth the Cost?
You may be wondering if hiring a lawyer is worth it, especially when you know a portion of your settlement will go toward fees. The short answer is: Yes, if you hire the right one.
Insurance companies often offer lowball settlements to injured people who don’t have legal representation. They know you may not fully understand what your case is worth or how Texas personal injury laws apply. A skilled lawyer steps in to level the playing field.
A lawyer can help recover significantly more money than what would be offered without one, even after fees are deducted. According to a study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), individuals who hired an attorney in personal injury cases typically receive settlements 3.5 times higher than those who don't.
Other studies have led to similar conclusions, suggesting that legal representation significantly impacts the financial outcome of claims.
You Only Get One Chance to Settle Your Case
Once you accept a settlement, you typically can’t go back and ask for more, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious later. That’s why it's essential to get it right the first time.
A Texas car accident lawyer will help you calculate both your current losses and future needs. That can include:
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Lost future income
- Long-term disability or reduced quality of life
- Emotional suffering and trauma
Lawyers with experience in catastrophic injury cases understand how to assess long-term damages and fight for compensation that fully reflects the accident's impact on your life.
Texas Law Supports Contingency Fee Agreements
Texas law permits attorneys to use contingency fee contracts in personal injury cases. In fact, this method is widely used because it aligns the lawyer’s interests with yours: the more compensation you receive, the more the lawyer earns as well.
Under the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, lawyers are required to put all fee agreements in writing. This helps prevent any confusion or disputes later on. Your agreement should outline:
- The percentage the lawyer will take
- When the percentage may increase
- Who pays litigation expenses
- What happens if you end the agreement early
You have every right to read and fully understand the agreement before signing. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. A good lawyer will take the time to explain everything and give you time to decide.
When Do You Pay the Lawyer?
In a contingency arrangement, your lawyer gets paid when your case is resolved and the settlement funds are disbursed. You don’t write a check or pay upfront.
Once the case is settled or won in court, the compensation is sent to your lawyer’s office. From there, they will:
- Deduct their agreed-upon fee
- Reimburse any case-related expenses
- Pay any medical liens or outstanding bills
- Send the remainder to you
You will receive a detailed breakdown of how the funds were distributed. This transparency is not only common practice but also required by the State Bar of Texas.
What If You Don’t Win?
One of the biggest benefits of a contingency fee arrangement is that you take on very little or no financial risk. If your case doesn’t result in a settlement or verdict, you typically don’t owe anything for attorney’s fees.
This gives injured clients peace of mind. You can focus on your recovery while your lawyer focuses on your case.
It’s also a sign that your lawyer believes in your case. They wouldn’t take it if they didn’t think they could get a positive outcome.
Why It’s Riskier Not to Hire a Lawyer
If you're still unsure about hiring a lawyer because of the cost, consider what’s at stake. Car accident claims involve more than sending a few documents or talking to an insurance adjuster. They can quickly become complex, especially when serious injuries or multiple parties are involved.
Insurance adjusters may seem friendly, but their job is to pay out as little as possible. If you're unrepresented, they may delay, deny, or underpay your claim. Even small mistakes like saying the wrong thing on a recorded call can affect your entire case.
A skilled Texas car accident lawyer steps in to handle those interactions. They gather strong evidence, communicate directly with the insurers, and fight for maximum compensation. Most importantly, they prevent the other side from taking advantage of your vulnerable position.
What If You’re Already Struggling Financially?
Many people hesitate to call a lawyer because they’re already in a tough financial spot. They’ve missed work, their car is damaged, and medical bills keep piling up. It’s hard to justify one more expense, even if it’s one that could lead to a better outcome.
That’s exactly why the contingency fee model exists. When a firm like Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock takes your case, we take on the financial burden of building it. You don’t pay anything unless and until we recover compensation on your behalf.
This lets you focus on what really matters—your health, your family, and your future—without worrying about how to afford legal help.
Is the Contingency Fee Model Standard in Every Case?
Contingency fees are standard in personal injury cases, but not in every type of legal matter. For example, criminal defense, divorce, or contract disputes often involve flat rates or hourly billing. That’s why it’s important to confirm fee arrangements up front.
In Texas car accident cases involving bodily injury, contingency-based representation is the most common and most client-friendly approach. It allows anyone, regardless of income, to access high-quality legal help without taking on financial risk.
Still, no two lawyers are the same. Be sure to work with someone who explains their fees clearly, puts everything in writing, and doesn’t pressure you to sign anything before you're ready.
When Should You Talk to a Lawyer?
The sooner you consult a lawyer, the better. If you’ve been injured, it’s wise to reach out to a Texas car accident lawyer as early as possible, even before speaking to the insurance company.
Quick action helps protect your rights and gives your lawyer time to preserve evidence, speak with witnesses, and start building your case while the facts are still fresh. It also helps reduce the stress and confusion that comes with trying to manage the process on your own.
Some people wait because they’re not sure if their injuries are serious enough. Others don’t think the insurance company will fight them. But once a claim is filed, everything you do or say may affect your outcome. Having a lawyer on your side from the start gives you a major advantage.
What if I am partly at fault for the car accident?
Texas follows a modified comparative fault rule under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 33.001. This means you can still recover compensation if you were partly at fault for the accident, as long as you are not more than 50% responsible. However, your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you were 20% at fault, your final recovery would be reduced by 20%.
Insurance companies often try to shift the blame to reduce what they owe. A Texas car accident lawyer can protect your claim by pushing back against unfair blame and making sure your level of responsibility is accurately assessed.
Talk to Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock About Your San Antonio Personal Injury Case
You shouldn’t have to worry about the cost of legal help when you’re injured and trying to recover. At Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock, we work on a contingency fee basis so that you can focus on healing while we focus on getting results.
We’ve built our reputation by standing up to insurance companies and fighting for full and fair compensation for Texans seriously hurt in car and truck accidents. Our team is here to guide you, answer your questions, and take the pressure off of you and your family. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way, and we won’t take a fee unless we win your case.
If you were injured in a car crash involving a negligent driver, a rideshare vehicle, or even a delivery truck like Amazon or FedEx, we want to hear your story. Let us take on the legal work so you can move forward with confidence. Call Cowen | Rodriguez | Peacock today at (210) 941-1306 or reach out online for a free consultation.
Call us at (210) 941-1306 for a free consultation or contact us below. No cost to you unless we win.