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Being injured in an accident is overwhelming enough without worrying about whether you can afford legal help. If you’ve been hurt due to someone else’s actions in Colorado, understanding personal injury lawyer costs can help you make the best decision for your situation and your family.

When you’re dealing with medical bills, lost wages, and the stress of recovery, the last thing you want is surprise legal fees. At Buckley Simpson Law in Lakewood, we believe you deserve to know exactly what legal representation costs upfront – because transparency builds trust, and trust is the foundation of every successful case.

This guide will explain exactly how personal injury lawyer fees work in Colorado, what you can expect to pay, and why most injured people pay nothing unless they win their case.

The Short Answer: Most Personal Injury Lawyers Work on Contingency

Here’s what most people don’t realize: you typically don’t pay anything upfront to hire a personal injury lawyer in Colorado. Most personal injury attorneys, including our team at Buckley Simpson Law, work on what’s called a “contingency fee” basis.

What this means for you:

• • No money required to get started

• • No hourly billing while we work on your case

• • You only pay if we win your case or secure a settlement

• • If we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t owe us attorney fees

This arrangement exists because we believe everyone deserves access to quality legal representation, regardless of their financial situation when they’re injured.

Understanding Contingency Fee Percentages in Colorado

Typical contingency fees in Colorado range from 33% to 40% of your final settlement or court award. The exact percentage depends on several factors specific to your case.

Standard Contingency Rates

33% (1/3): Most common for cases that settle without filing a lawsuit. This applies to straightforward accidents with clear liability and cooperative insurance companies.

40%: More complex cases that require litigation or go to trial. The additional work involved in court proceedings justifies the higher percentage.

Some attorneys offer lower rates for very straightforward cases with minimal work required.

What’s Included in Your Legal Fees

When you work with a personal injury lawyer on contingency, your attorney fees cover comprehensive legal services:

Case Investigation and Preparation

• • Gathering police reports and medical records

• • Interviewing witnesses and experts

• • Accident scene reconstruction when necessary

• • Building a comprehensive case file

• • Photographing evidence and damage

Medical Documentation and Analysis

• • Reviewing all medical treatment and records

• • Working with medical professionals to understand your injuries

• • Calculating current and future medical expenses

• • Documenting how injuries affect your daily life and work capacity

Insurance Company Communications

• • Handling all communications with insurance companies

• • Protecting you from tactics designed to minimize payouts

• • Negotiating fair settlement offers on your behalf

• • Ensuring deadlines are met and paperwork is properly filed

Court Representation (If Necessary)

• • Filing lawsuits when settlement negotiations fail

• • Representing you in all court proceedings

• • Presenting your case effectively to judges and juries

• • Managing all trial preparation and strategy

Your attorney handles all the legal complexities while you focus on recovery. This comprehensive service is what you’re paying for with your contingency fee.

Additional Case Expenses You Should Know About

While attorney fees are covered by the contingency arrangement, there are additional expenses involved in building a strong personal injury case that are not included in the contingency arrangement:

Common Case Expenses

• • Court filing fees: $400-$500 for most cases

• • Medical record retrieval: $50-$200 per healthcare provider

• • Expert Witness reports: $2,500-$20,000 depending on expertise 

• • Expert witness fees: $300-$500 per hour for testimony

• • Accident reconstruction: $2,000-$10,000 for complex cases

• • Other litigation costs: $2,000-$5,000

• • Investigative costs and photography

How Expenses Are Handled

Most reputable personal injury lawyers, including our team at Buckley Simpson Law, advance these costs for you. You’re only responsible for reimbursing expenses if we recover money on your case. If we don’t win, you typically don’t owe anything for expenses either.

Important: Always ask potential attorneys about their expense policy during your consultation. Some lawyers require clients to pay expenses regardless of the outcome – we don’t believe this is fair to injured clients.

Why Professional Representation Often Pays for Itself

Studies consistently show that injury victims who hire attorneys recover significantly more money than those who represent themselves – even after paying attorney fees. The difference often ranges from 2-3 times more compensation with professional representation.

Real Example

If you might recover $15,000 on your own but $50,000 with an attorney, paying a 33% fee ($16,500) still leaves you with $33,500 – more than double what you’d receive handling the case yourself.

When You Might Handle It Yourself

• • Very minor injuries with complete recovery

• • Minimal medical treatment required

• • Small total damages (under $5,000)

When Professional Help Is Essential

• • Serious injuries requiring ongoing treatment

• • Disputed liability or complex accidents

• • Significant lost wages or reduced earning capacity

• • Multiple parties involved

• • Insurance company disputes, delays, or lowball offers including your own insurance

What About Hourly Billing?

Some attorneys charge by the hour instead of contingency fees, typically $300-$600 per hour in the Denver Metro area. This is rarely the best option for personal injury cases because:

• • You pay regardless of whether you win or lose

• • Costs can quickly exceed your potential recovery

• • Creates financial pressure to settle for less than your case is worth

• • Most people can’t afford thousands in upfront legal fees while dealing with injury expenses

When hourly billing might make sense: Very small claims where the potential recovery wouldn’t justify a contingency fee arrangement.

Red Flags to Avoid When Choosing an Attorney

Be cautious of attorneys who:

• • Demand money upfront for personal injury cases

• • Won’t clearly explain their fee structure during consultation

• • Charge contingency fees over 40% without clear justification

• • Require you to pay expenses regardless of case outcome

• • Promise specific outcomes or guaranteed settlements

Quality indicators to look for:

• • Clear, written fee agreements

• • Transparent communication about all costs

• • Track record of successful settlements and verdicts

• • Willingness to advance case expenses

• • Focus on your recovery, not just quick settlements

Fee Considerations for Different Case Types

Car Accidents

Most straightforward personal injury cases with standard 33% contingency fees. Quick settlements are possible when liability is clear and insurance coverage is adequate.

Slip and Fall Cases

Can be challenging to prove liability, may require extensive investigation, expert testimony, and detailed documentation of the dangerous condition.

Wrongful Death Cases

Emotionally complex cases requiring sensitive handling and often extensive litigation preparation to prove both liability and the full extent of damages.

Essential Questions to Ask During Your Free Consultation

About Fees and Costs

• • “What percentage do you charge, and when might that change?”

• • “Do you advance all case expenses, or will I need to pay some upfront?”

• • “What happens to expenses if we don’t win the case?”

• • “Can you provide a written fee agreement before we proceed?”

About Your Specific Case

• • “Based on similar cases, what’s a realistic timeline for resolution?”

• • “What challenges do you anticipate with my specific case?”

• • “How do you communicate with clients throughout the process?”

• • “What’s your track record with cases like mine?”

Our Commitment to Transparent Pricing

At Buckley Simpson Law, we’ve seen too many clients confused or surprised by legal fees. That’s why we:

• • Discuss all costs upfront during your free consultation; including potential litigation

• • Provide clear written fee agreements and a comprehensive review of the fee agreement before work begins

• • Advance all case expenses without requiring upfront payment

• • Keep you informed about case progress and any significant expenses

• • Never charge fees unless we win your case

Our philosophy is simple: legal representation should reduce your stress, not add to it. Worrying about surprise bills or hidden fees prevents you from focusing on what matters most – your recovery.

The Value of Experience

Jennifer Simpson has been selected as a Colorado Rising Star by Super Lawyers and Top 40 under 40 by the National Trial Lawyers. This recognition reflects her dedication to achieving the best possible outcomes for injured clients.

What this experience means for you:

• • Efficient case handling that minimizes unnecessary expenses

• • Strong negotiation skills that maximize your settlement

• • Trial experience when insurance companies won’t offer fair settlements

• • Deep understanding of Colorado personal injury law and insurance practices

Experienced attorneys often recover more money faster than less experienced lawyers, making their fees a sound investment in your case outcome.

Making the Right Decision for Your Situation

Consider hiring a personal injury lawyer if:

• • Your injuries required any medical treatment beyond basic first aid

• • You missed work due to your injuries

• • The other party disputes fault or their insurance company is uncooperative

• • You’re unsure about the full extent of your injuries or future medical needs

• • The accident involved multiple vehicles or complex circumstances

You might handle it yourself if:

• • Injuries were genuinely minor with complete recovery

• • Liability is completely clear and undisputed

• • Total damages are very small (under $1,000-$3,000)

• • The other party has adequate insurance and is fully cooperative

When in doubt, get a consultation. Most personal injury lawyers offer free consultations specifically so you can make an informed decision about whether you need professional help.

Frequently Asked Questions About Legal Costs

Do I pay anything if you don’t win my case?
No. We work on contingency, which means you only pay attorney fees if we recover compensation for you. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us attorney fees.

What if my case settles quickly?
Quick settlements still require substantial work to ensure you’re getting fair compensation. Our contingency fee covers all investigation, negotiation, and legal work necessary for the best outcome, regardless of timeline.

Can I negotiate the attorney fee percentage?
Fee structures can sometimes be adjusted based on case specifics. We discuss this during your free consultation and always provide clear, written fee agreements.

How do medical liens affect what I receive?
We help negotiate medical liens and handle case-related debts as part of our representation, ensuring you receive the maximum possible net recovery.

Ready to Learn More About Your Options?

If you’ve been injured in an accident in Lakewood, Denver, Arvada or anywhere in the Metro area, you don’t have to navigate insurance companies and legal complexities alone.

Your next steps:

1. 1. Schedule a free consultation to discuss your case and our fee structure

1. 1. Get answers to all your questions about costs and timeline

1. 1. Make an informed decision about legal representation

1. 1. Focus on recovery while we handle the legal details

Contact Buckley Simpson Law today:

• • Phone: (720) 900-2003

• • Email: info@buckleysimpsonlaw.com

• • Office: 575 Union Blvd Suite 104, Lakewood, CO 80228

We’re here to help you understand your rights, your options, and what legal representation would cost in your specific situation. When you’re dealing with an unexpected injury, you deserve straightforward answers and compassionate support – not more stress about legal fees.