September 2, 2025

How Much Do Accident Lawyers Charge in the Lone Star State?

Money questions sit heavy after a crash. Medical bills start to stack up, work stops, and savings drain fast. And the biggest unknown often lingers: how much does a lawyer cost? In Texas, most personal injury attorneys work on contingency. That means the lawyer gets paid a percentage of the recovery, and only if the case resolves with a settlement or verdict. No upfront fees, no hourly billing. Simple math, but the details matter.

This guide breaks down typical fee ranges, common cost structures, and practical examples for car and truck crash cases in Texas. It also touches on how fees work in San Antonio specifically, including cases that involve 18-wheelers on I-10, I-35, Loop 410, or near the Port of San Antonio. If someone searches for a San Antonio truck accident attorney, they often have high medical expenses and big liability questions. The fee agreement can shape the net recovery more than many people realize.

The baseline: what “contingency fee” means in Texas

A contingency fee is a percentage of the settlement or verdict. The lawyer fronts the work. Payment arrives only if the lawyer recovers money for the client. No recovery, no fee. This structure fits injury cases because an injured person may not have spare cash for an hourly retainer. It also aligns incentives: the lawyer’s pay grows with the result.

Most Texas injury firms use contingency rates ranging from about 33 percent to 40 percent. The percentage can vary based on case stage, risks, and whether the claim settles before a lawsuit. For example, a pre-suit settlement might carry a lower fee than a case that goes through depositions, experts, and trial.

An important distinction: the percentage covers attorney fees, not case costs. Costs are separate and include payments to third parties. Those charges come out of the recovery at the end, after the fee, unless the contract states otherwise. Good contracts spell out the order and timing clearly.

What counts as “case costs,” and who pays them

Case costs are the out-of-pocket expenses the firm pays along the way. The most common are filing fees, records, and expert work. In a truck crash case, costs often rise higher than in a standard car wreck. Why? Commercial carriers keep detailed records and hire defense teams quickly. Proving fault can take deep, technical proof.

Typical costs include:

  • Medical records and imaging
  • Crash reports, subpoenas, and service fees
  • Expert analysis, like accident reconstruction, ECM downloads, and life-care planners
  • Depositions and court reporters
  • Mediation fees

Most Texas injury firms advance these costs so a client does not pay during the case. At settlement, those costs are reimbursed from the total recovery. The fee agreement should explain when and how costs come out, and whether they come out before or after calculating the attorney’s percentage. Small wording differences change the net result by thousands of dollars, so it pays to read closely.

Percentage ranges by case stage

Every firm sets its own structure, but a common pattern in Texas looks like this: a lower fee for early settlements, and higher percentages if the case moves into litigation or trial. Here is a typical progression explained in plain language:

Pre-suit settlement: The lawyer investigates, builds the demand package, and negotiates with the insurer. Many firms use a fee near 33 percent at this stage. Truck cases can still carry higher fees even pre-suit, because the work to secure evidence is more intense.

Litigation: If the insurer refuses to pay fair value, the firm files suit. Depositions start, experts get involved, and costs rise. Fees often move to about 35 percent or more. With commercial carriers, litigation is common because the stakes are higher.

Trial and appeal: If the case reaches a jury or goes up on appeal, the fee can rise to around 40 percent. Trials take heavy time, plus expert prep and courtroom presentation.

These ranges are not promises, and they can vary by firm and by the complexity of the case. A wrongful death case or a crash with multiple defendants may justify higher rates due to risk and the level of proof required.

A simple example with numbers

Imagine a settlement of $300,000 for a crash on Loop 1604 involving a commercial pickup, with moderate injuries, six months of treatment, and no surgery. The contract sets a 33 percent fee pre-suit, costs to be repaid from the recovery, and medical liens negotiated after settlement.

  • Attorney fee at 33 percent: $99,000
  • Case costs: $6,000
  • Medical bills and liens before negotiations: $80,000
  • Proposed reductions after negotiations: $20,000 reduction
  • Net to client: $300,000 minus $99,000 fee, minus $6,000 costs, minus $60,000 medicals = $135,000

Now change one term. If the contract says costs come out before the fee, the math shifts slightly. And if the case goes into litigation, the percentage may rise, which changes the final number again. Small wording, big difference. This is why a careful review of the fee addendum matters, especially in higher-value truck cases.

How fees differ in truck accident cases

Truck crashes often demand more time, more experts, and faster action. The trucking company or carrier may control key data: electronic control module downloads, driver logs, dispatch notes, fuel receipts, trailer inspection records, and GPS. Preserving those records early can be the difference between proving fault and losing critical proof.

Because of that, fees in truck cases can sit higher than simple two-car crashes, even if a case resolves pre-suit. That higher rate reflects the level of investigation needed to lock down fault and damages. A San Antonio truck accident attorney who handles commercial carrier claims day in and day out will know how to send preservation letters early and move for enforcement if records go missing. That work adds value, but it also requires resources. Fees should reflect that reality.

Contingency vs. hourly or flat fees

In injury cases, hourly fees are rare because of the risk of non-payment. A client recovering from a crash often cannot fund litigation month by month. Flat fees do not fit either, because case demands change over time and depend on defense strategy. A contingency structure keeps fees connected to the result and removes upfront cash barriers for injured clients. It also helps a lawyer take strong cases for people who cannot write a check today.

What affects the percentage a firm quotes

Several factors can move a fee quote up or down:

  • Liability disputes. If fault is murky or multiple vehicles are involved, risk rises.
  • Policy limits. If coverage is low, a lower fee may make sense to preserve a client’s net recovery.
  • Injury severity. Catastrophic injury often requires experts and longer timelines.
  • Venue. Bexar County differs from surrounding counties in juror pools, court settings, and timing. That affects strategy.
  • Client goals. Some clients prefer fast resolution; others want a day in court. The fee can reflect the planned path.

Local context: San Antonio’s roads and carriers

San Antonio’s road grid brings unique crash patterns. I-10 and I-35 carry heavy 18-wheeler traffic. US-90 feeds freight from the west. Loop 410 and Loop 1604 see frequent lane-change collisions with commercial trucks and delivery vans. The Port of San Antonio and distribution hubs push more trucks onto surface streets near Kelly and South San Antonio. A firm that regularly handles these corridors will know local enforcement habits, common intersection issues, and which carriers run through town. That knowledge saves time and sharpens the approach to evidence.

For someone searching for a San Antonio truck accident attorney, the fees they agree to should match the level of work the case needs. If a lawyer plans to hire reconstruction experts, download ECM data, and secure driver qualification files, the percentage may look higher. But that extra work can raise case value when fault or causation faces a fight.

Medical liens, health insurance, and how they change your net

Lawyer fees are only one piece of the puzzle. The other major piece is medical billing. In Texas, medical providers may file liens under specific statutes or contract rights. Health insurers may claim reimbursement under plan terms. Medicare and Medicaid have their own rules. All these items can shrink the net to the client.

Good firms handle lien negotiations as part of the case. The fee agreement should say whether lien work is included or billed as costs, and when those negotiations happen. Timing matters, because reductions often finalize after the settlement agreement is signed. A strong negotiation on liens can increase the client’s take-home amount more than a small change in the fee percentage. This is especially true in high-bill truck cases involving surgery or extended rehab.

What “no fee unless we win” usually covers, and what it does not

The phrase sounds simple, but it helps to ask questions. It usually means the attorney does not charge a fee if there is no recovery. But what about costs if the case loses? Some firms write contracts stating that clients owe no costs if there is no recovery. Others state that clients reimburse costs win or lose. There is no single rule. The written agreement controls. Ask before signing, and get a clear answer.

Red flags in a fee agreement

Some warning signs show up in the fine print. One is a clause that allows the firm to raise the fee without a clear trigger, such as litigation or appeal. Another is vague language about who pays costs if the case ends early. A third is a fee applied before costs and liens are handled, even when the contract implies the opposite. None of this is standard practice, but it surfaces now and then. Clear language builds trust and avoids conflict.

How firms earn the fee in serious truck cases

The work that wins truck cases happens early and often. A strong San Antonio truck accident attorney will send preservation letters within days, push for ECM data, chase down third-party camera footage, and pull driver logs before they roll off. They will also vet the driver’s qualification file and check for past violations or hours-of-service problems. On the damages side, they work with doctors to document causation and future care needs, and they collect wage loss proof that insurers respect.

That level of work supports higher fees when the case calls for it. It is not about flashy talk; it is about building a timeline that shows the truck should never have been in position to cause the crash, or that the company ignored rules that protect the public. Carriers and their insurers react to proof, not just claims.

Questions to ask before signing

A short set of questions can prevent later confusion and help a client compare firms in an apples-to-apples way. These questions fit well during a free case evaluation by phone or at an office in Downtown, North Central, the South Side, or near Stone Oak.

  • What is the contingency percentage pre-suit, in litigation, and at trial?
  • Do costs come out before or after the fee is calculated?
  • If there is no recovery, am I responsible for costs?
  • Who negotiates medical liens, and is that included in the fee?
  • How often will I get updates, and who will be my main contact?

Written answers or a short email recap help the client make a clear decision and avoid misunderstandings.

How fee caps and policy limits interact

Texas does not set a standard cap on contingency fees in injury cases. There are caps in some legal contexts, but not here. The practical limit comes from policy limits and the defendant’s assets. If a driver carries a $30,000 liability policy and there is no underinsured motorist coverage, a lawyer may adjust the fee or structure to avoid draining the entire recovery with fees and bills. Open conversations at intake usually solve this. If a firm refuses to discuss net recovery scenarios, that is a sign to keep looking.

Why “cheap” can cost more

A fee that looks low on paper may come with trade-offs. A very low percentage can mean less upfront investment in experts or slower timelines. In truck cases, delay can wipe out proof. ECM data can be overwritten, and driver logs can cycle. A slightly higher fee with urgent action often yields https://www.carabinshaw.com/semi-truck-accidents-18-wheeler-accidents.html a stronger result. It is not about paying more; it is about securing the facts while they are fresh, so the client’s story stands up.

Local examples that show the money flow

Consider a southbound I-35 jackknife near the AT&T Center exit, with a multi-car pileup. Fault splits among the truck, a following SUV, and a driver making a late lane change. The firm files early, joins multiple defendants, and hires an accident reconstruction expert and a human factors expert. Costs rise to $25,000 by mediation. The case settles for $1,000,000 in litigation at a 38 percent fee. The numbers might look like this:

  • Attorney fee: $380,000
  • Costs: $25,000
  • Medical bills before reductions: $210,000
  • Reductions negotiated: $70,000
  • Net to client: $1,000,000 minus $380,000 minus $25,000 minus $140,000 = $455,000

Shift one detail, and the net changes. If the firm skipped expert work to keep costs low, the settlement might have landed closer to $600,000. With the same fee rate, the client’s net would drop to near $215,000 after bills. Spending on experts can look expensive, but it often raises the gross enough to help the client in the end.

How to read a fee contract line by line

Plain language helps. Look for these parts and confirm they match what was discussed:

  • Percentage by stage. Pre-suit, litigation, trial, and appeal.
  • Costs. Who advances them and who pays if there is no recovery.
  • Order of deductions. Costs and liens before or after the fee calculation.
  • Lien handling. Who negotiates, when, and whether any extra charge applies.
  • Termination. What happens if the client switches firms mid-case.

Ask for a copy before signing. Take it home, review, and call with questions. A good firm will make time to explain. If the case involves a serious truck crash on I-10 near Boerne Stage Road or a delivery truck in Alamo Heights, the fee terms deserve careful attention before the evidence hunt begins.

Why local presence matters for costs and speed

A San Antonio-focused firm can often move faster on records and scene work. Familiarity with Bexar County courts, local mediators, and defense counsel shortens the learning curve. Knowing which imaging centers respond quickly and which ER groups file early liens helps control the paper chase. These local touches keep costs in check and keep cases moving. If someone needs a San Antonio truck accident attorney, a locally active office can be a practical edge, not just a marketing line.

What about consultation fees and retainers

In injury cases, initial consultations are usually free. Firms do not ask for retainers because the case runs on contingency. If a firm asks for an upfront deposit for a standard crash claim, ask why. There may be a rare reason, but it is not the norm for car or truck injury cases in Texas.

Timing, settlement strategy, and the fee discussion

The fee conversation should happen early, before medical bills or liens press for quick decisions. Strategy affects fees. A firm may suggest waiting for maximum medical improvement to understand long-term needs. Or the firm may advise filing suit early to preserve key records in a truck case. Both paths have costs and benefits. A clear view of fees, costs, and timing lets the client guide the plan with full awareness.

How to make the first call count

Bring a short list of facts to the first call or visit: date of crash, location, vehicles involved, injuries, providers seen, health insurance status, and any work limitations. Photos, dash-cam clips, or Ring camera footage help. Small details, like a delayed police response on Loop 410 or a road closure near Brooks, can shape early steps. The clearer the picture, the smarter the fee planning and case map.

Bottom line: fees should be clear, fair, and tied to results

Texas injury lawyers usually charge a contingency percentage, with costs advanced and repaid at the end. The key is transparency. Percentages should match the work ahead. Costs should make sense and be explained in plain terms. And the math should be shared before anyone signs.

If a truck crash upended life on I-10, US-281, or a surface street near the Pearl, help is close. A San Antonio truck accident attorney can review the facts, explain the fee terms in simple language, and start preservation work right away. The call is free. The clarity will help a client decide what to do next.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for legal advice; consult with experienced lawyers for personalized guidance Attorney Advertising: The information contained on this page does not create an attorney-client relationship nor should any information be considered legal advice as it is intended to provide general information only. Prior case results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Carabin Shaw, PC provides personal injury representation in San Antonio, TX. For more than three decades, our attorneys have represented clients in auto accidents, trucking accidents, motorcycle crashes, workplace injuries, and wrongful death cases. With hundreds of years of combined experience, our legal team focuses on standing up for victims and holding insurance companies and negligent parties accountable. Our offices are located in San Antonio and across Texas, offering clients accessible legal support when they need it most.

Carabin Shaw, PC

875 E Ashby Pl #1100
San Antonio, TX 78212, USA

Phone: (210) 222-2288

Website:


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