In most personal injury cases, nothing up front. We handle the majority of injury matters on contingency, which means you don't pay an attorney fee unless we recover money for you. The consultation is free.
Here's how it works in plain terms. Under a contingency agreement, our fee is a percentage of what we recover through a settlement or a verdict. If there's no recovery, you owe us no attorney fee. That's the whole point. It lets people who just got hurt in a car accident or a slip and fall hire a lawyer without writing a check while they're also dealing with medical bills and time off work.
Cases usually have costs separate from the fee, things like filing fees, medical records, and expert opinions. We'll go over exactly how those are handled before you sign anything, so there are no surprises. Every fee agreement in California is spelled out in writing.
One reason contingency matters here in San Diego: it puts us on the same side as you. We only do well if you do. That changes how we push back against the insurance companies and adjusters who would rather pay you as little as possible.
This is general information, not legal advice, and every case is different, so the specifics depend on your facts.
Want to know what your case might look like and what it would cost? Talk to Joe Crudo directly. Call (858) 622-7280 or reach us through the contact page. It's free, it's confidential, and there's no pressure. You can also read more about how we handle personal injury claims.