How Much Does It Cost to Hire a New York City Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you’ve been injured in an accident in New York City – whether in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, Staten Island, or Long Island – you may wonder: “How much does a personal injury lawyer cost?”
The answer is reassuring: most NYC personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means you pay nothing upfront, and your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case. This system makes high-quality legal representation accessible to accident victims, no matter their financial situation.
What Is a Contingency Fee in NYC Personal Injury Cases?
Instead of charging hourly rates or large retainers, New York personal injury lawyers are paid a percentage of your recovery.
- Standard Fee in NYC: About one-third (33.33%) of your settlement or verdict.
- No Win, No Fee: If your lawyer doesn’t recover compensation, you owe nothing in legal fees.
- Aligned Incentives: Your attorney is motivated to maximize your compensation because their fee depends on it.
- Access to Justice: Even if you’re facing medical bills and lost wages, you can still afford a skilled lawyer.
How Much Do Personal Injury Lawyers Charge in New York?
In most cases, NYC personal injury attorneys charge 33.33% (1/3) of the recovery. There are two common ways this can be calculated:
1. Net Recovery Fee
- Case expenses (filing fees, expert witnesses, medical records) are subtracted first.
- The attorney’s one-third fee is applied to the remainder.
- Client benefit: You save one-third of the case expenses.
- Possible risk: If the case is lost, you could be responsible for expenses, though most NYC law firms rarely pursue clients for them.
2. Total Recovery Fee
- The attorney’s one-third fee is taken from the full settlement.
- Case expenses are then deducted from your portion.
- Client benefit: You don’t risk owing costs if you lose.
- Trade-off: You don’t get savings on case expenses.
What Are Common Case Expenses in New York City Injury Claims?
While attorney fees cover legal work, case costs are separate and depend on the complexity of your claim. These may include:
- Court filing fees ($200 – $400 in New York)
- Expert witness fees (medical specialists, accident reconstructionists)
- Medical record requests and investigation costs
- Depositions, discovery, and court reporter fees
- Administrative expenses (copying, travel, postage)
- Medical liens (hospital or provider claims for unpaid bills)
Most NYC personal injury law firms advance these costs and are reimbursed only if your case is successful.
Fee Limits and Special Rules in New York
- Personal Injury Cases: In car, truck, motorcycle, slip and fall, and construction accident claims, contingency fees are capped at 33.33%.
- Medical Malpractice Cases: New York law sets a sliding-scale fee system instead of the flat one-third.
- Ethical Rules: Attorneys cannot add unnecessary charges. Reputable NYC firms do not charge interest on advanced expenses.
What You Get When You Hire a New York City Personal Injury Lawyer
By hiring an experienced NYC accident attorney, you gain:
- A clear written contingency fee agreement
- Regular updates and transparent communication
- Investigation of your accident and evidence collection
- Skilled negotiation with insurance companies
- Trial preparation and courtroom advocacy if needed
Your lawyer will pursue every available category of damages, including:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage and out-of-pocket costs
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
Is Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in NYC Worth It?
Yes. Studies show that injury victims with attorneys recover far more compensation than those who represent themselves – even after legal fees.
Without a lawyer, you risk:
- Accepting a lowball settlement
- Missing strict filing deadlines
- Facing insurance company lawyers alone
- Making mistakes that reduce or eliminate your claim
With an attorney, you level the playing field and can focus on healing while they fight for maximum compensation.
Free Consultations With New York City Personal Injury Attorneys
Nearly all personal injury lawyers in NYC offer free consultations. This gives you the chance to:
- Share details of your accident and injuries
- Learn how contingency fees and case costs work
- Ask about experience with your type of case
- Decide whether the attorney is the right fit
Key Takeaway: NYC Personal Injury Lawyer Costs
- Standard fee: One-third of your recovery
- No upfront payments – you only pay if your lawyer wins
- Case costs are advanced and reimbursed later
- Medical malpractice cases follow a sliding-scale fee
Why Choose Greenstein & Pittari for Your NYC Personal Injury Case?
- Local Harlem office plus convenient locations in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island, Yonkers, and Nassau County
- Our Fee Guarantee: No fee unless we win your case
- Bilingual legal services for NYC’s diverse communities
- Hundreds of positive client reviews and testimonials
- Award-winning attorneys recognized by Best Lawyers & Super Lawyers
Call 1-800-VICTIM2 (1-800-842-8462) today.
The call is free. The consultation is free. And you don’t pay us unless we are successful.