2024 How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Illinois?

Dealing with a personal injury case can be a complex, stressful experience, especially if you are trying to handle your recovery, your case, and your negotiations all by yourself. You may want to consider retaining the services of an experienced personal injury lawyer to help you develop your case. When weighing the pros and cons of retaining an attorney, one of your main concerns is likely to be how much a personal injury lawyer costs in Illinois.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost in Illinois?

It is extremely difficult to predict exactly how much a personal injury attorney is likely to cost. Lawyers across the state will charge differing amounts for their services. Personal injury lawyers consider many different factors when determining how much to charge their clients for the specific legal services they offer. In fact, the court rules of Illinois offer specific factors that may be considered when lawyers are deciding their fees:

• Time and Labor: The amount of effort required to take on your case will be a big factor. If the lawyer already has a significant caseload, they may not be able to take on yours as well. In addition, the lawyer may not have a sizable staff who can assist in developing your case. Taking on a case with an already sizeable caseload means the attorney must charge more for the extra time requirements.
• Other Jobs: The lawyer has to consider the very real possibility that by accepting your case, they might be unable to take on other potential cases. If your case is expected to be much more complex than other cases taken on by the legal team, then the extra time commitment will be considered in the cost.
• Customary Fees: The lawyer may look at some of their local competitors and offer you a quote comparable to other lawyers in the same area who are offering similar services.
• Past Results: The attorney’s history with cases like yours will play a significant role in the fee they charge. An attorney with a lengthy history of successful outcomes in cases like yours will typically charge a larger fee than an attorney who has only handled a few cases like yours.
• Different Kind of Fee: Lawyers have a few options for how they charge their clients. There are multiple kinds of fees that you could be looking at when you hire a lawyer. Some of them include:
  • Fixed Fee: A fixed fee is essentially a lump sum paid in full all at once. Some lawyers prefer to be paid upfront and all at the same time.
  • Contingency Fee: When a lawyer agrees to charge on a contingency fee basis, it means that you don’t have to pay them unless they win your case. Once the case finishes, they will usually take a previously agreed-upon amount out of your total settlement package.
  • Security Retainer: A security retainer is an agreed-upon sum of money that the lawyer can use to secure payment of fees and expenses for any future services that you may need from them.
  • Engagement Retainer: An engagement retainer is a fixed sum that the client gives to the lawyer to ensure the lawyer’s availability during a previously agreed-upon period of time. These are paid when earned.

FAQs

Q: What Percentage Do Most Injury Lawyers Take?

A: Each lawyer is different, so determining how much a lawyer will take as their fee requires reaching out to them for a consultation. The amount that your injury lawyer will charge will be agreed upon when you first discuss payment with them. Every lawyer charges different amounts for their services and takes into account factors unique to them and their way of doing business. Prior to hiring them, you should work out a method of payment, an amount of payment, and a time of payment.

Q: How Much Does a Lawyer Charge in Illinois?

A: The amount a lawyer charges in Illinois is unique to the lawyer you are seeking to hire. Lawyers’ fees change all the time depending on their availability, their popularity, their caseload, and their competition, among other factors that may be unique to the lawyer you are considering. Before signing any form of contract, you and your lawyer need to work out all the financials and come to an agreement.

Q: How Long After an Incident Can You Sue in Illinois?

A: Under Illinois state law, you will usually have two years from the date of the personal injury to start seeking legal action against any negligent party. Two years is the statute of limitations for most personal injury claims in Illinois. You will have a full two years to start filing a claim and building a case to pursue compensatory damages. If you miss the two-year window, your case will be dismissed, and you will lose your opportunity to seek damages.

Q: What Is a Contingency Fee?

A: A contingency fee is a type of fee charged by many personal injury attorneys. Payment for the lawyer is contingent on you obtaining a settlement from your case. The fee will be an agreed-upon percentage of the total settlement awarded at the close of the case. If you are not successful in your case, then the attorney will not recover any payment.

Reach Out to a Personal Injury Lawyer Today

Dealing with an injury is never enjoyable, especially if that injury was caused by another. You may be feeling overwhelmed, angry, and a bit confused. Facing recovery and legal action at the same time can be a lot for one person to do on their own. Thankfully, you do not have to do it alone. The legal team at Joshua R. Evans, Attorney at Law, can help you develop your case and make sure the right people are held accountable for your injury.

We can gather the necessary evidence, represent your interests against the negligent parties, and advocate on your behalf in court if it comes to that. Contact us to schedule a consultation as soon as you can. We know what you need, and we are prepared to help you fight.