Contingency Fees Explained: You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

Jul 07, 2025

A contingency fee structure allows clients to hire a lawyer with no upfront costs; clients only pay attorney fees if their case is successful. This approach is often used by Denver car accident attorneys, making legal help accessible to those who might not otherwise afford it. Payment is typically a percentage of the final settlement or court award, so the lawyer’s compensation depends on a favorable outcome.

Many people hesitate to contact a lawyer after a car accident because of concerns about legal fees. With contingency fees, clients can pursue rightful compensation without financial risk. This arrangement shifts much of the risk from the client to the attorney, reassuring those who may be unsure about the legal process.

What Are Contingency Fees?

Contingency fees let clients pay for legal services only if their case succeeds, removing the need for upfront costs. This fee structure often aligns the lawyer’s interests with those of the client, allowing for shared risk in many types of civil cases.

Definition and Key Concepts

A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where a lawyer receives a percentage of the client’s recovery only if the case is won or settled. If the client loses, no legal fees are owed for the lawyer’s services, though some out-of-pocket expenses may still apply.

The specific percentage can range from 25% to 40% depending on the case type and stage of resolution. For example, personal injury and wrongful death cases commonly use contingency fee agreements.

No upfront legal fees are required under this model. This means clients do not need to pay any initial retainer or hourly charges to begin a case. The financial risk for legal fees is shifted almost entirely to the attorney.

Contingency Fees vs. Hourly and Flat Fees

Legal representation is typically paid in one of three ways: contingency, hourly, or flat fees. Contingency fees differ significantly from the others. With hourly and flat fees, clients must pay regardless of the outcome, which can be risky if the case fails. Contingency fee structures remove this financial uncertainty for the client, as lawyer payment only occurs after a winning result.

Benefits of the Contingency Fee Model

Clients do not have to pay legal fees unless their attorney secures a settlement or court award. This “pay after we win lawyer” approach makes legal help more accessible, especially for those who cannot afford high upfront costs.

Contingency fee structures motivate lawyers to thoroughly pursue a successful outcome since their payment depends on it. This aligns the lawyer’s incentives with the client’s interests and can encourage diligent case preparation.

By shifting the risk to the attorney, clients can pursue their claims without worrying about accumulating debt from ongoing legal fees. This structure is especially helpful in personal injury, employment law, and other civil claims where clients may face financial hardship.

How Smith & Weidinger Uses Contingency Fees

Smith & Weidinger relies on contingency fee structures to reduce financial barriers and offer dedicated representation throughout the legal process. Our approach helps clients, especially those involved in car accidents in Denver, seek fair outcomes without upfront costs.

Accessible Legal Support for Clients

Smith & Weidinger does not require clients to pay legal fees unless they win the case. This arrangement is especially beneficial for injured individuals who may be facing medical bills and lost wages after a car accident.

Key points of our fee structure:

No upfront payments: Clients do not pay any fees to start their case.
Risk-free representation: Attorney fees are only collected if compensation is recovered.
Cost transparency: All fee details are outlined in a written agreement at the beginning of representation.

This model ensures financial risk stays with the law firm, not the client. It allows Denver car accident victims to pursue claims with experienced attorneys, regardless of their current financial status. The focus remains on obtaining compensation, not on billing hours or charging retainers.

Firm Philosophy and Commitment to Winning

The contingency fee model at Smith & Weidinger directly ties their compensation to the outcome of the case. This alignment of interests motivates the attorneys to carefully investigate claims, gather necessary evidence, and advocate strongly for clients.

Key aspects of this approach:

Results-driven: Our firm’s success depends on achieving favorable results for clients.
Preparation: Every case is prepared as if it may go to trial, ensuring thorough development.
Experience: Denver car accident attorneys at the firm utilize their knowledge of local laws and procedures.

Our commitment to clients is reinforced by their financial stake in each case. Smith & Weidinger’s philosophy emphasizes diligent effort and responsible advocacy, with the goal of securing rightful compensation for injured individuals.

Contingency Fee Agreements in Denver Car Accident Cases

Contingency fee agreements allow injured individuals to seek legal help without paying upfront costs. Smith & Weidinger uses these agreements to streamline access to legal representation for Denver car accident victims, emphasizing clear terms and strong client advocacy.

How Agreements Are Structured

Smith & Weidinger sets its contingency fees as a percentage of the final settlement or verdict, commonly ranging from 33% to 40% for car accident cases. The specific percentage can depend on when a case settles; cases resolved before trial usually have a lower rate. If the firm does not win a recovery, the client does not owe attorney’s fees.

A standard agreement will outline which expenses are deducted from the client’s award, such as court filing fees, expert witness costs, and medical record charges. These details are explained to clients before they sign, ensuring there are no hidden fees or unexpected costs.

Clients receive a written contract that details the structure and process of the contingency payment. This promotes transparency and allows clients to make informed decisions about moving forward.

Initiating a Claim with Smith & Weidinger

The process begins with a free consultation, where potential clients discuss their situation with an attorney. Smith & Weidinger reviews driving records, police reports, medical documents, and other evidence to assess the merits of the claim.

Once the agreement is signed, the legal team gathers additional evidence, interviews witnesses, and engages with insurance companies on the client’s behalf. There is no charge for these efforts unless a recovery is made.

Clients always know their rights and what to expect. Communication with the firm is straightforward, with regular updates throughout the claims process so clients stay informed without feeling overwhelmed.

Common Questions and Misconceptions

Contingency fees often raise important questions about costs, results, and terms. Many clients want clear answers to concerns and misunderstandings about how these fee structures protect their interests.

Addressing Client Concerns

Clients frequently ask about what happens if their case is not successful. In a contingency fee arrangement, if the attorney does not win or settle the case, the client generally owes no attorney’s fees. Some clients worry about “hidden” costs, but it’s important to note that most reputable firms clearly explain any potential expenses, such as court filing fees or expert witness charges.

Attorneys usually provide a detailed fee agreement at the start of representation, listing what is covered and what is not. Clients should always review this document and ask questions before signing.

Other concerns include the fairness of the percentage charged as the lawyer’s fee. The industry standard is often between 25% and 40% of the recovered amount, depending on the complexity of the case and when it resolves. Each firm should explain its specific percentage and the reasons for it.

Peace of Mind for Clients

The main advantage of a contingency fee system is that it removes upfront financial barriers for clients. This allows them to seek legal support regardless of their ability to pay out of pocket.

Clients do not risk large legal bills if they lose the case. This structure aligns the attorney’s interests with their client’s outcome, as the lawyer is motivated to secure a favorable result.

Peace of mind also comes from knowing the attorney is invested in the client’s case. The firm absorbs the risk and only recoups expenses if money is recovered on the client’s behalf.

Clarifying Misunderstandings

A common misconception is that clients owe nothing at all, under any circumstances. While clients typically don’t pay attorney’s fees if unsuccessful, they might still be responsible for certain costs, like court filing or expert witness expenses, depending on the agreement.

Some believe contingency fees only apply in large or high-profile cases. In reality, many types of litigation—such as personal injury, employment law, and medical malpractice—routinely use contingency arrangements.

Another point of confusion is whether lawyers cut corners or rush cases to get paid quickly. Ethical lawyers are bound by professional standards and act in the client’s best interest, regardless of the fee structure. Smith & Weidinger provides transparency about case progression and communication throughout representation.

If you’ve been injured and are wondering about Smith & Weidinger’s fee structure, contact us to learn more.

Note: The information provided in this blog post has been compiled from publicly available and secondary sources. While we strive for accuracy, some details may become outdated or contain inadvertent errors. If you believe any information is incorrect or requires updating, please contact Smith & Weidinger so that we may review and make the appropriate corrections.

Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a solicitation for business. The photo used is not from the scene of the incident described. Viewing this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Smith & Weidinger. If you have been injured in an accident, please seek immediate medical attention and then consult with a qualified attorney to discuss your legal rights and options.