April 4, 2025 | Personal Injury
One of the first questions that may come to mind if you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence is, “How much of my settlement will actually go into my pocket?” Personal injury settlements are designed to compensate you for your losses, but the final amount you end up with can vary depending on several factors. An Atlanta personal injury lawyer can help you evaluate how much of a personal injury settlement will go into your pocket after an accident.
What Percentage Does a Lawyer Get In a Settlement Case?
A common question we hear concerns about is what percentage your lawyer may get in a settlement case. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means they only get paid if they win or settle your case. The typical contingency fee ranges from 33 to 44 percent of the settlement amount recovered. For example, if your Atlanta car accident case is settled for $100,000 and your attorney takes a 33 percent contingency fee, they would receive $33,000, leaving you with $67,000 before other deductions may come in.
How Are Personal Injury Settlements Paid Out?
Insurance companies pay out most personal injury settlements. Typically, once your case settles, the at-fault party’s insurance company will send a check to your lawyer’s office. Your lawyer will likely deposit the funds into a client trust account and begin the process of distributing the money to you.
Before you receive your portion, your lawyer will handle a few important steps:
- Pay any outstanding medical bills or medical liens
- Deduct litigation costs for filing fees, expert fees, postage, and copying
- Deduct contingency fees according to your fee agreement
Your lawyer will then disburse the remaining funds to you.
How Do Medical Bills Affect My Settlement?
You might have unpaid bills or medical liens from providers or insurance companies if you received medical treatment after your accident. Part of your settlement may go toward satisfying these obligations. Georgia law requires medical providers to recover a medical lien against your settlement proceeds for these expenses. However, working with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer may allow you to negotiate with providers and reduce the amount owed. This is another reason why having an experienced personal injury attorney on your side can make a big difference in your final payout.
How Much Should I Ask for in a Personal Injury Settlement?
There is no one-size-fits-all number for personal injury settlements. Many factors determine how much to ask for in a settlement. Working with a personal injury lawyer can help you calculate a fair amount.
Your settlement can be based partially on your economic damages, such as:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
Non-economic damages will also affect how much your case is worth. They may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Severity of injuries
- Length of recovery
- Permanent or temporary disability
A good rule of thumb is to aim higher than the amount you will be willing to accept. This gives you room for negotiation, which may be required to recover the compensation you deserve. An experienced lawyer will help ensure your demand reflects the true value of your damages.
Pursuing a Personal Injury Settlement? Contact an Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Today for Help
Most personal injury victims receive the bulk of their settlement, even after expenses associated with contingency fees, litigation costs, and medical liens are deducted. While no one enjoys seeing deductions, it is important to remember that working with an Atlanta personal injury lawyer often leads to a much larger settlement than you might have received on your own.
Understanding how personal injury settlements are paid out and the various percentages involved can help you feel in control of the process. An experienced personal injury lawyer will fight for maximum compensation and ensure you understand every step along the way.
Contact our Personal Injury Lawyers at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC for Legal Help With Your Case
If you suffered serious injuries after an accident in Atlanta, Georgia we are here for you. If you’d like to schedule a free case consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury attorney from Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, please don’t hesitate to call (404) 869-8600, or you can visit our office:
Goldstein Hayes & Lina Accident Lawyers
3060 Peachtree Rd NW UNIT 1000,
Atlanta, GA 30305
(404) 869-8600