Most (if not all) personal injury lawyers in North Carolina work under a “contingency fee agreement”, meaning the lawyer and client agree to compensate the law firm based on a percentage of any settlement or verdict. This serves to incentivize lawyers to push for the maximum compensation for their clients.
It’s important to note that a contingency fee is collected from the recovery only, not paid up front. Case expenses such as medical records search and recovery, filing fees, external expert analysis and studies (such as accident reconstruction experts), deposition, and other related costs are typically advanced by the law firm and deducted from the recovery at the end.
Our A&A Zero Fee GuaranteeTM is a guarantee that you will not pay unless we win your case, and even then, our fee only comes out of the settlement amount that we obtain from you, meaning you never pay us out of pocket.
So how much does it cost? It depends on how much compensation your lawyer can help you recover – but working with Auger & Auger, we can tell you for certain that you will never come out of pocket to pay a legal fee.
How Does a Contingency Fee Work?
In a contingency fee agreement, a lawyer’s payment comes from the client’s financial recovery. At Auger & Auger Accident and Injury Lawyers, our attorneys and clients agree in writing to a percentage of any settlement or verdict.
Typical ranges can fall between 25% to 40%, but the agreement sets the specific percentage. You do not pay the fee up front. Case expenses are separate and handled as the agreement specifies.
When Is the Fee Paid?
The fee is earned only when money is recovered. After a settlement or verdict is collected, we apply the agreed percentage and address case expenses according to the contract, then disburse the remainder to our client with an itemized statement.
What Happens if There Is No Recovery?
If there is no recovery, our lawyer’s contingency fee is not owed. The agreement will state how case expenses are handled in that situation, including whether we absorb costs or the client remains responsible for certain charges.
How Hiring a North Carolina Personal Injury Lawyer on Contingency Differs from Hiring One on Retainer
Choosing a fee structure affects how and when payments occur, and how risk is shared between client and lawyer. For example:
- Contingency: Payment comes from the recovery. The lawyer and client agree on a percentage of any settlement or verdict, and no fee is owed if there is no recovery. The written agreement explains how case expenses are handled.
- Retainer: The client pays money up front, usually placed in a trust account. Under this fee arrangement, attorneys bill hourly against that retainer and may request additional deposits as work continues. Fees are owed for time spent, regardless of the outcome of your case.
A contingency arrangement aligns the lawyer’s fee with the case result and can reduce upfront costs for the client. Hiring a lawyer on retainer restricts you to a traditional pay‑as‑you‑go model with more immediate out‑of‑pocket expenses.
How Clients Benefit From Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer on Contingency
Hiring a lawyer on a contingency fee can make legal help more accessible and reduce financial stress during recovery. Hiring our North Carolina personal injury attorneys on contingency allows you to benefit from the following:
- No upfront fees: Our payment comes directly from the settlement or verdict.
- Aligned incentives: Our lawyer’s compensation depends on the result, encouraging a focus on the strongest outcome.
- Access to legal resources: We advance case costs such as records, experts, and depositions, with reimbursement addressed at the end.
- Predictable structure: A written agreement states the percentage and how expenses are handled, which helps avoid surprise bills.
- Flexibility during recovery: Without monthly invoices for attorney time, funds can go toward medical care and living costs.
- Risk sharing: If there is no recovery, the contingency fee is not owed. The contract explains how costs are treated in that situation.
Contingency arrangements can help you pursue a claim without delaying treatment or sacrificing day‑to‑day needs.
A Contingency Arrangement Helps You Start Your Case Sooner
Hiring a lawyer on contingency removes the need for upfront attorney’s fees, so work on the case can begin right away. Early action matters becuase North Carolina’s statute of limitations sets a deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit, generally three years from the date of injury, under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 1‑52(5).
Most personal injury cases start as an insurance claim, but negotiations for a settlement can take months, especially when medical treatment is ongoing or multiple parties are involved. Insurers understand this, often attempting to delay a claim. This claims process does not extend the statute of limitations, though.
When insurers stall or the deadline approaches, filing suit can protect your ability to obtain compensation. A contingency arrangement lets our lawyers start gathering records, interviewing witnesses, and preparing litigation early, keeping your case on track before the filing window closes.
Auger & Auger Offers More Than Contingency Fee Arrangements
Aside from our A & A Zero Fee GuaranteeTM, Auger & Auger offers proven results and personal, local representation. As a family-owned firm serving North Carolina since 1995, we are deeply committed to helping accident victims pursue justice and compensation without financial risk.
We’ve recovered over $100 million for our clients while maintaining a 99.5% success rate. Our personal injury attorneys pride themselves on offering personalized attention. Unlike larger, impersonal firms, we take the time to get to know you and the details of your case.
If you can’t make it to our office, we’ll come to you, whether at home, in the hospital, or wherever is most convenient.
Our Personal Injury Lawyers in North Carolina Do Not Charge Upfront Fees
If you are worried about how much it costs to hire a personal injury lawyer in North Carolina, we’re here to make cost one less barrier to getting help. At Auger & Auger, we handle personal injury cases on contingency, backed by the A & A Zero Fee GuaranteeTM.
We’ve recovered over $100 million for injured clients, and we’re ready to start work on your case now. Contact us for a free consultation. We can meet by phone, video, or in person, and documents can be signed online for your convenience.
