For many people, the main barrier to hiring an sexual assault attorney in Illinois during a personal injury case in Illinois is price. It is understandable to be concerned about how much an attorney’s legal fees might cost you. You should always ask how much a lawyer costs upfront, before signing a contract. Understanding legal fees can help you know what to look for when shopping for a lawyer.
The Average Price of a Lawyer in Illinois
It is difficult to assign an “average” amount in attorney’s fees in Illinois, as the price can vary substantially based on the type, location and complexity of the case, as well as the experience level of the lawyer. It can be helpful to identify the most common types of payment arrangements instead:
- Contingency fee. The most common setup, where the lawyer charges as a percentage of the settlement or judgment award achieved for the client, and only if the case results in financial compensation.
- Hourly rate. If a lawyer charges by the hour, you can expect the rate to range from around $200 to $500 per hour in Illinois, with the average being around $300. The full price of the lawyer will depend on the hourly rate and how many hours of work the case requires.
- Flat rate. Flat fees for specific legal services in Illinois can range from $500 to $2,500+, depending on the type of case and the amount of work involved. Flat fees can vary widely by practice area.
Keep in mind that you will also need to factor in the cost of additional services, such as the initial consultation (often free at personal injury law firms), the price to collect and process evidence, and the cost of hiring experts.
What Does “Contingency Fee Basis” Mean?
The most common type of attorney’s fee in personal injury law is a contingency fee. Personal injury attorneys who are fighting to obtain justice for those injured by the negligence of others recognize that these injured parties are often not in a financial position to hire an attorney.
To keep fees reasonable and ensure that all accident victims have access to high-quality legal representation, most personal injury lawyers in Illinois operate on a contingency fee basis. With this payment arrangement, a client pays $0 upfront. Fees are only assessed if the case results in a financial recovery for the client’s losses.
If the lawyer does win the case, the fee will be deducted directly from the amount collected for the client. Most contingency fees are in the 30 to 40 percent range, with 33.33 percent (about one-third) being the most common. The rate of the fee will depend on the attorney’s experience and the complexity of the case, such as whether it goes to trial.
Beware the Cost of Not Hiring a Lawyer
When looking into how much a lawyer in Illinois charges for services, it is imperative to consider how much it could ultimately cost you not to hire an attorney. Taking on your case by yourself means you will avoid the price of legal fees, but it could significantly affect the value of your payout.
Statistics show that individuals who hire personal injury lawyers to represent them consistently achieve higher settlements than those who self-represent. If you suffered serious injuries and have a high-value case, it is even more important to work with an attorney to ensure a fair case outcome. You may be facing a lifetime of foreseeable costs that deserve a sizable settlement. Without a lawyer’s assistance, you may not get enough from an insurance company.
For information about how much a lawyer will cost for your specific case, contact the Mahoney Law Firm. We offer free initial consultations and accept all personal injury and sexual assault cases on a contingency fee basis in Illinois.