A settlement number isn’t what lands in your bank account. This calculator subtracts the lawyer’s contingency fee, case costs and medical bills or liens to show your likely take-home amount.
Car accident & injury settlement calculator
Enter a settlement amount. We’ll show the lawyer’s fee, costs, medical bills and what’s left for you.
You’d take home about
$0
An illustration, not legal advice. Fee agreements differ: some lawyers reduce their fee or negotiate down medical liens. Ask how costs and liens are handled before you sign.
How contingency fees work
Most injury lawyers charge a percentage of the recovery instead of hourly fees: commonly 33⅓% if the case settles before a lawsuit and around 40% if it goes to litigation or trial. Case costs (medical records, filing fees, expert witnesses) are usually reimbursed from the settlement.
Gross vs net
Ask whether the fee is calculated on the gross settlement (before costs) or the net (after costs). On the same settlement, net is better for you.
Medical liens
Health insurers, Medicare/Medicaid and hospitals may have a right to be repaid from your settlement. Good lawyers often negotiate these down.
Frequently asked questions
Is 40% a normal lawyer fee?
It’s common when a case goes into litigation or trial. Pre-suit settlements are often 33⅓%. Fee percentages are negotiable and some states limit them for certain cases.