How Much Does a Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Cost? 2024

If you or a family member recently sustained a physical injury and/or economic loss because of another party’s actions, you can seek accountability for their actions with a personal injury claim. While the average person is likely familiar with the concept of a personal injury suit, many misconceptions surround this area of civil law, particularly in regard to the cost of hiring legal counsel.

Many believe that legal representation is only for the wealthy and that hiring an attorney would be prohibitively expensive. It’s especially difficult for them to imagine hiring attorneys when they are already struggling with significant financial losses. However, you should not disregard your right to pursue compensation out of fear of the potential cost of hiring an attorney. Legal representation could be more accessible than you expect, and an experienced Denver personal injury attorney is the best asset to have on your side for ensuring accountability for your damages.

How to Find Your Personal Injury Representation in Colorado

Whenever you need to hire legal counsel for any type of case, it is crucial to select a Colorado personal injury attorney who has proven experience with cases similar to yours. In addition, you can take advantage of consultation offers to meet with prospective attorneys, narrowing down your options until you find the one who inspires you with the most confidence.

A consultation is essentially an interview process. You should take this time to evaluate the attorney’s experience level with cases like yours, their legal strategy and philosophy, and their interpretation of your situation. In addition, ask the attorney about their professional record, qualifications, and what they think makes them the ideal choice for your case.

Compensation in Your Colorado Personal Injury Claim

The purpose of a personal injury claim is to secure the compensation the plaintiff needs to be “whole” again after experiencing a personal injury of any kind. The damages available in any personal injury case depend on the nature and severity of the harm the plaintiff suffered. Most plaintiffs are able to claim:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of any medical treatment they require to completely heal from their injury.
• Lost income, including lost future earning potential, if they cannot return to work because of their injury.
• Property damage, if the defendant’s actions resulted in any loss of personal property.
• Pain and suffering, which may be limited by state law but can still significantly improve the plaintiff’s final case award.

Other variables could also come into play that alter the total potential value of a personal injury claim. For example, if the plaintiff bears partial fault for their damages, they could lose a percentage of their case award that reflects their level of fault. Conversely, if a defendant’s behavior exceeded the definition of typical negligence, they could face punitive damages alongside their other financial obligations to the plaintiff or restitution if they are charged with a crime.

When it comes to the cost of hiring a personal injury attorney in Colorado, any plaintiff is likely to have concerns about legal fees when they are already struggling with the financial impact of their experience. However, most personal injury attorneys in Colorado and throughout the country offer contingency fee billing. This is the most flexible payment option for personal injury plaintiffs, so be sure you fully understand a potential attorney’s billing policy before you sign a contract to have them represent your case.

FAQs About Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer Cost

How Much Do Colorado Personal Injury Attorneys Charge?

It’s natural to worry about the potential cost of legal counsel when you need to hire a personal injury attorney. However, most attorneys make their counsel accessible to those who need it most through contingency fee pricing. If your attorney charges a contingency fee, you will not have to pay any upfront or ongoing legal fees for their representation. When they win your case, you will pay a percentage of your settlement or trial award to the personal injury attorney.

How Much Is a Personal Injury Attorney’s Contingency Fee?

State law limits how much attorneys can charge their clients through contingency fees. When these limitations do not apply, most attorneys will charge between 25% and 40% of the total case award. The exact amount typically depends on the perceived complexity of the case, the total amount of damages the plaintiff is able to claim, and many other factors.

Will I Get a Larger Settlement With a Personal Injury Attorney?

An experienced personal injury attorney will likely be able to identify every avenue of compensation available to you in your personal injury claim. While you might be able to assess your immediately recognizable damages, calculating long-term damages is more challenging, and you could overlook valuable options for compensation if you do not have reliable legal counsel.

How Long Will It Take to Conclude My Personal Injury Case?

Some personal injury claims can be resolved in a few weeks, while others can take months or even longer than one year to resolve. Your attorney can provide an estimate of how long you should expect your case to last. The factors that typically determine the time a case will require include the clearness of liability of the defendant and the defendant’s willingness to settle the case.

Is It Worth Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney in Colorado?

Don’t make the mistake of assuming that hiring an attorney would cost more than the damages you could obtain if you win your case. When you hire an attorney on a contingency fee basis, they can only take a percentage of your final case award. However, since they are likely to reveal channels of recovery you would not have recognized, it is always worth investing in the legal counsel only an experienced personal injury attorney can provide.

It’s understandable to have lots of pressing legal questions in the aftermath of any personal injury. The personal injury attorneys at Cheney, Galluzzi & Howard have years of experience providing responsive and compassionate legal counsel to clients throughout Colorado. Contact our firm today and schedule a free consultation to learn more about the legal services we offer.