How Much Does a Car Accident Lawyer Cost? The Truth Behind the Fees

Michael Porrazzo
Last updated on November 24, 2025
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If you or a loved one has been injured in a car crash, you are likely facing an immediate flood of concerns: how to pay for medical treatment, the challenge of missing work, and the confusing process of dealing with the at-fault party’s insurer. Amidst all this stress, the thought of hiring a car accident lawyer might seem like adding another major financial burden.

The reality, however, is that quality legal representation in personal injury cases is almost always accessible, regardless of your current financial situation. Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, formerly known as William Rawlings & Associates, operates on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any attorney fees upfront, and we only get paid if we secure a financial recovery for you. 

The Contingency Fee Explained: “No Win, No Fee”

The foundation of payment for a lawyer accident Utah personal injury firm is the contingency fee. This is a powerful arrangement that removes the financial barrier to justice. Here is how it works:

  1. No Upfront Cost: Unlike other areas of law that require a large retainer fee before any work begins, our personal injury services cost you nothing out of pocket. You pay zero attorney fees to hire us and begin working on your case.
  2. Payment is Contingent: Our fee is contingent upon our successfully recovering money for you, either through a settlement or a verdict. If we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing for our time or effort.
  3. A Percentage of the Recovery: The fee is a pre-agreed percentage of the final settlement or award we secure. While this percentage can vary based on the complexity of the case, a common range is between 33% and 40% of the total compensation. For instance, if your case settles for $90,000, and the fee is 33%, the attorney fee would be $30,000.

This structure allows us to invest our own resources into your case—covering all investigative and court costs—without you having to front the money. This includes the cost of obtaining official reports, medical records, and hiring accident reconstruction expert witnesses. With Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, access to justice is guaranteed, regardless of your current bank account balance. You can secure a dedicated car accident lawyer immediately, which is essential to protecting your claim from mistakes that can happen right after a crash.

The True Value of a Car Accident Lawyer

Studies and statistics consistently show that individuals who hire a car accident lawyer Riverton firm receive substantially more in compensation than those who represent themselves. Why is this? Because we level the playing field against large insurance companies. Insurers are for-profit businesses; their entire goal is to pay you the minimum amount possible. They have adjusters, investigators, and attorneys whose sole purpose is to limit their financial exposure.

Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law’s presence immediately signals to the insurance company that they must take your claim seriously. We ensure that your claim accounts for all your current and future losses, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Without a car injury lawyer, you risk having your low-ball settlement offer cover only a fraction of what you actually need.

Why Choose Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law?

Choosing the right lawyer for car accident claims is a choice that affects your entire financial future. At Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, we pride ourselves on being deeply committed to our clients and our local Utah communities. We treat every client like family, offering personalized attention that larger firms cannot match.

Our experience gives us a powerful advantage when calculating the true value of your damages. For example, in 2023, Utah saw 18,316 injury crashes. These crashes resulted in catastrophic injuries for many people, leading to long-term care needs. Without a knowledgeable attorney, you might only recover enough to cover immediate expenses, neglecting future therapy or lost earning capacity. Our firm has the resources to consult with medical professionals and financial expert witnesses to project your long-term needs.

Understanding Case Costs vs. Attorney Fees

When discussing the cost of an accident lawyer, it is crucial to distinguish between attorney fees and costs of litigation. Attorney fees are the percentage the lawyer takes from the final recovery for their legal service. Costs of litigation are the expenses necessary to prepare and prove the case. These costs can include:

  • Court filing fees
  • Fees for certified copies of medical records and police reports
  • Deposition and transcript costs
  • Expert witness fees (e.g., medical, accident reconstruction)

These litigation costs can quickly amount to thousands of dollars. At Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law, we typically advance these costs for you. That means you do not have to pay them out of pocket as the case moves forward. Like the attorney fee, these costs are usually only recovered from the final settlement or verdict. This eliminates yet another financial obstacle for you. We assume the risk of the expense, making us even more invested in the successful outcome of your case.

This “no-risk” approach provides tremendous peace of mind, especially when you are already dealing with a life-changing event. When you need an attorney for accident claim resolution, our system is built to provide you with the most capable representation possible with zero upfront financial worry.

The Power of Representation and Your Next Steps

Hiring a car accident lawyer is not an expense; it is a critical step to financial security following an injury. The legal knowledge, negotiation experience, and courtroom ability we bring to your claim significantly increase your chances of a successful and substantial recovery. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is constantly being analyzed to inform safety improvements, reflecting the ongoing and serious nature of traffic accidents across the nation. If you were injured in a collision due to another person’s carelessness, you deserve complete recovery for your damages. 

Your path to physical and financial recovery begins with a conversation. The sooner we start, the sooner we can begin building your case and protecting your rights.

Do not let fear of cost prevent you from getting the financial recovery you deserve. Contact Porrazzo Rawlings Accident & Injury Law today for a free, confidential consultation. We only get paid if you win.