How Much Does Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
Updated for 2026 — national average costs with state-by-state breakdowns
What Does Personal Injury Lawyer Include?
Personal injury lawyers typically work on contingency — you pay nothing upfront and they take a percentage (usually 33-40%) of your settlement or court award. If you don't win, you don't pay.
The national average cost for personal injury lawyer is $0 contingency fee (33-40%). Most homeowners pay between $0 and $0, though costs can vary significantly based on your location, the scope of work, and other factors outlined below.
What Affects the Price?
Fee Structure
Pre-lawsuit settlement: 33%. After filing suit: 35-40%. At trial: 40%. Appeal: 40-45%
Settlement Example
On a $100K settlement at 33%: lawyer gets $33K, you get $67K minus expenses
Key Cost Factors
- ✓Case complexity
- ✓Settlement amount
- ✓Contingency percentage
- ✓Going to trial vs settling
- ✓Case expenses
💡 Tips to Save Money
- 1.Most initial consultations are free
- 2.Negotiate the contingency percentage — some will go to 25-30% for strong cases
- 3.Understand what expenses are deducted from your settlement
- 4.Ask about sliding scale fees based on when the case resolves
📈 Personal Injury Lawyer Cost Trends (2020–2024)
Prices have increased +NaN% over the last 5 years
| Year | National Avg | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $0 | — |
| 2021 | $0 | +NaN% |
| 2022 | $0 | +NaN% |
| 2023 | $0 | +NaN% |
| 2024 | $0 | +NaN% |
Based on national averages adjusted for annual inflation. Actual costs vary by location and project scope.
Personal Injury Lawyer Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by state due to labor rates, cost of living, and local market conditions. Click any state for a detailed breakdown.
| State | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Alaska | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Arizona | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Arkansas | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| California | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Colorado | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Connecticut | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Delaware | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Florida | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Georgia | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Hawaii | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Idaho | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Illinois | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Indiana | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Iowa | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kansas | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Kentucky | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Louisiana | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Maine | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Maryland | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Massachusetts | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Michigan | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Minnesota | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Mississippi | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Missouri | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Montana | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Nebraska | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Nevada | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| New Hampshire | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| New Jersey | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| New Mexico | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| New York | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| North Carolina | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| North Dakota | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Ohio | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Oklahoma | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Oregon | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Pennsylvania | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Rhode Island | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| South Carolina | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| South Dakota | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Tennessee | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Texas | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Utah | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Vermont | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Virginia | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Washington | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| West Virginia | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Wisconsin | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Wyoming | $0 | $0 | $0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I hire a personal injury lawyer?
If you have significant medical bills, lost wages, or permanent injury from someone else's negligence. For minor injuries, it may not be worth the 33% fee.
🏙️ Personal Injury Lawyer Cost by City
Compare personal injury lawyer costs in the most popular US cities:
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Related Cost Guides
💬 What Did You Pay?
Real costs reported by homeowners for Personal Injury Lawyer
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