See How Much a Personal Injury Lawyer Might Cost You – Get Your Free Estimate Now

Injury Attorney Cost Calculator

This free personal injury attorney cost calculator provides a reliable estimate of the legal fees you might incur - without requiring any personal details. Simply input your expected settlement amount, fee structure (contingency or hourly), case complexity, and any additional expert or documentation costs, and you'll receive an immediate, detailed breakdown of your potential expenses. Check how much hiring a personal injury lawyer might cost you and see exactly how much your claim could be worth. Every case is unique, so while this tool offers a solid starting point, it's important to consult with an experienced attorney for a comprehensive evaluation.

  Check Injury Attorney Costs

Estimate the legal fees for your personal injury case.

Choose the fee structure typically used in personal injury cases. Select "Contingency Fee" if the attorney takes a percentage of the settlement, or "Hourly Rate" if fees are billed per hour. Do not mix both methods.

Provide a realistic estimate of the total settlement value (excluding property damage). Include medical expenses, lost wages, and anticipated future costs—do not add unrelated expenses. For additional insight, feel free to check out how much is your injury claim worth.

Select the percentage that your attorney would charge from the settlement. This generally ranges from 30% to 40%, depending on case specifics and jurisdiction.

Include costs such as court filing fees, administrative charges, and other direct expenses related to your case. In most contingency fee cases, these expenses are advanced by the law firm and later deducted from the settlement, so you typically don't pay them upfront. For hourly arrangements, these costs are billed separately. Do not include any expenses that are already covered by the settlement.

Select the complexity level of your case. "Low" means straightforward, while "High" indicates a case requiring extensive investigation and expert testimony. Choose based on factual complexity.

Select the category that best fits your injury. This selection influences fee estimations—cases like Medical malpractice or Wrongful death typically use lower contingency percentages. Provide an accurate classification to improve the estimate.

Estimate the fees for expert witnesses, accident reconstructions, medical report assessments, and any necessary documentation. In contingency cases, attorneys usually front these costs and recoup them from your recovery, while in hourly cases, they are billed directly to you. Only include expenses directly tied to your case.

Calculate

Estimated Attorney Cost Breakdown

Projection Based on Your Inputs.

Base Fee $0
Additional Expenses $0
Expert & Documentation Costs $0
Expected Settlement Amount $0
Total Estimated Cost $0
Personal Injury Lawyers Edit input data

Contributory & Comparative Negligence by U.S. State

In personal injury cases, U.S. states follow either contributory or comparative negligence laws, which determine whether an injured party can recover compensation if they share any fault. Contributory negligence (used in a few states like Virginia and Alabama) is the strictest—if you are even 1% at fault, you receive nothing.

Most states use comparative negligence, which allows recovery but reduces compensation based on fault percentage. Pure comparative negligence (e.g., California, New York) lets you recover even if you’re 99% at fault, while modified comparative negligence (e.g., Texas, Florida) bars recovery if you are 50% or 51% at fault. Understanding your state’s rule is crucial when estimating legal costs and potential settlements.

U.S. State Negligence Information
Alabama Alabama follows a pure contributory negligence rule—if you’re even a little at fault for your injury, you cannot recover any damages.
District of Columbia D.C. generally uses pure contributory negligence so that any fault stops recovery, although since 2016 non-motorized users (like pedestrians and cyclists) are subject to a 51% rule.
Maryland In Maryland, if you contribute in any way to your injury, you are completely barred from recovering damages.
North Carolina North Carolina applies a pure contributory negligence rule—any fault on your part prevents you from recovering damages.
Virginia Virginia uses a pure contributory negligence standard, so if you are even partly at fault, you cannot collect any damages.
Alaska Alaska follows pure comparative fault. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault—but you can still recover even if you’re mostly at fault.
Arizona In Arizona, damages are decreased by your share of fault. Even if you are 99% at fault, you may still recover something.
California California uses pure comparative fault—your own negligence reduces your recovery, but it never completely bars you from receiving damages.
Kentucky In Kentucky, your damages will be reduced by your percentage of fault, yet you can still recover even if you are largely to blame.
Louisiana Louisiana’s pure comparative fault means your recovery is reduced by your fault percentage—but you can recover unless you committed an intentional wrong.
Mississippi Mississippi reduces your recovery by your own fault; even if you’re mostly at fault, you can still collect some damages.
Missouri In Missouri, any negligence on your part lowers the damages you can recover, but it will not bar you completely.
New Mexico New Mexico applies pure comparative fault—your recovery is decreased by your own negligence, though you can still recover some damages.
New York New York reduces your recovery in proportion to your fault, but even a high percentage of fault won’t completely bar you from recovering damages.
Rhode Island Rhode Island considers your negligence to lower your damages—but it does not entirely prevent you from recovering.
Washington In Washington, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, so you can recover even if you share most of the blame.
Arkansas Arkansas uses a modified comparative rule with a 50% bar—if you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover; if less, your damages are reduced accordingly.
Colorado In Colorado, you may recover only if your fault is under 50%; otherwise, your recovery is reduced by your share of the blame.
Georgia Georgia’s modified comparative fault means you can only recover if you’re less than 50% at fault, with your damages reduced by your percentage of fault.
Idaho In Idaho, if you are 50% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages; if less, your recovery is decreased by your share of fault.
Kansas Kansas bars recovery if you are 50% or more responsible; if you’re under 50% at fault, your damages are reduced proportionally.
Maine In Maine, you can only recover if your negligence is less than 50%; if you are 50% or more at fault, you’re barred from recovery.
North Dakota North Dakota follows a modified comparative rule with a 50% bar—if your fault is 50% or greater, you cannot recover; otherwise, your damages are reduced by your fault.
Tennessee In Tennessee, you are barred from recovering damages if you’re 50% or more at fault; if less, your recovery is reduced based on your percentage of fault.
Utah Utah’s rule means you can recover only if you are less than 50% at fault—if you’re 50% or more responsible, you cannot recover any damages.
Connecticut In Connecticut, if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover damages; if you are 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by your share of the fault.
Delaware Delaware bars recovery if you are more than 50% at fault—any fault above that threshold means you cannot recover damages.
Florida Florida now uses a modified comparative fault with a 51% bar. If you are more than 50% at fault (for claims filed after March 24, 2023), you cannot recover; if 50% or less, your damages are reduced accordingly.
Hawaii In Hawaii, if you are 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovery; if you are 50% or less at fault, your recovery is reduced by your share of fault.
Illinois Illinois reduces your damages in proportion to your fault; if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover any damages.
Indiana In Indiana, if you are more than 50% at fault you cannot recover (and for claims against government, even 1% fault bars recovery); otherwise, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Iowa Iowa’s rule is that if you’re more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover; if you’re 50% or less, your recovery is reduced in line with your fault.
Massachusetts Massachusetts bars recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault; if you’re 50% or less, your damages are reduced proportionally.
Michigan In Michigan, if you are 51% or more at fault your non-economic damages are lost and your economic recovery is reduced; if less, your recovery is lowered by your percentage of fault.
Minnesota Minnesota follows a 51% bar rule—if you’re more than 50% at fault, you cannot recover; if less, your damages are reduced accordingly.
Montana Montana reduces your recovery by your percentage of fault and bars recovery if you are 51% or more responsible for your injury.
Nevada In Nevada, if your negligence is 51% or more, you can’t recover; if less, your damages are reduced by your share of fault.
New Hampshire New Hampshire bars recovery if you’re more at fault than the defendant (51% or more); if not, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
New Jersey In New Jersey, you cannot recover if you’re more than 50% at fault; if you’re 50% or less, your recovery is reduced in proportion to your fault.
Ohio Ohio follows a 51% bar rule—if you’re more than 50% at fault, you get nothing; if 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your share of fault.
Oklahoma In Oklahoma, if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover; if you’re 50% or less, your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault.
Oregon Oregon’s rule reduces your recovery by your own negligence—but even if you’re 51% at fault, you are not completely barred from recovering some damages.
Pennsylvania In Pennsylvania, if you are 51% or more at fault, you cannot recover; if you’re less, your damages are reduced by your fault percentage.
South Carolina South Carolina bars recovery if you’re 51% or more at fault; if less, your damages are reduced in line with your share of fault.
South Dakota South Dakota uses a slight/gross negligence rule—if your negligence is more than “slight,” you cannot recover damages.
Texas Texas bars recovery if you’re more than 50% at fault; if 50% or less, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault.
Vermont In Vermont, you only recover the portion of damages not due to your own negligence—if you’re 51% or more at fault, you get nothing.
West Virginia West Virginia reduces your recovery by your own negligence, and if you’re 51% or more at fault, you are barred from recovering damages.
Wisconsin In Wisconsin, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault, and if you are more at fault than the defendant, you recover nothing.
Wyoming Wyoming reduces your recovery based on your fault—but even if you’re over 50% at fault, you are not completely barred from recovering some damages.

Statute of Limitations In All U.S. States

The statute of limitations sets a strict deadline for filing a personal injury lawsuit, varying by state and injury type. Most states allow 2 to 3 years from the date of injury, but some have shorter (1 year in Kentucky, Louisiana) or longer limits (6 years in Maine). Certain factors can pause (toll) the clock, such as injuries to minors or when the harm was discovered later (as in medical malpractice cases). Missing the deadline almost always means losing the right to sue, so knowing your state’s limit is crucial when estimating legal costs and settlements.

State Personal Injury SOL Details & Exceptions
Alabama 2 Years The basic limit is 2 years under Ala. Stat. § 6-2-38, although claims based on conversion, wanton conduct, or intentional torts to property may have a 6‐year limit.
Alaska 2 Years Personal injury cases must be filed within 2 years as set by Alaska Stat. § 09.10.070(a).
Arizona 2 Years Arizona law (A.R.S. § 12-542) requires personal injury claims to be brought within 2 years.
Arkansas 3 Years Under Arkansas law (A.C.A. § 16-116-103), you have 3 years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
California 2 Years Personal injury actions must be initiated within 2 years (Cal. Civ. Proc. Code § 335.1).
Colorado 2 Years Colorado’s statute (C.R.S. § 13-80-102) sets a 2-year limit for personal injury cases.
Connecticut 2 Years Connecticut requires personal injury claims to be filed within 2 years (C.G.S.A. § 52-584).
Delaware 2 Years
(3 Years if not discoverable in 2 Years)		 Normally, a claim must be filed within 2 years, but if the injury isn’t discovered within that time, the limit may extend to 3 years.
District of Columbia 3 Years D.C. law (D.C. Code § 12-301) provides a 3-year period to file personal injury cases.
Florida 4 Years Florida allows 4 years to file a personal injury suit (F.S.A. § 95.11(3)(a),(o)).
Georgia 2 Years
(1 Year for Wrongful Death)		 General personal injury claims must be filed within 2 years, but wrongful death claims are limited to 1 year.
Hawaii 2 Years Hawaii’s statute (Haw. Rev. Stat. § 657-7) gives a 2-year limit for personal injury actions.
Idaho 2 Years Idaho requires personal injury cases to be filed within 2 years (Idaho Code § 5-219(4)).
Illinois 2 Years Illinois limits personal injury claims to 2 years (735 I.L.C.S. § 5/13-202).
Indiana 2 Years Under Indiana law (I.C. § 34-11-2-4), you have 2 years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
Iowa 2 Years Iowa sets a 2-year deadline for personal injury actions (I.C.A. § 614.1(2)).
Kansas 2 Years Personal injury claims in Kansas must be filed within 2 years (K.S.A. § 60-513).
Kentucky 1 Year Kentucky allows only 1 year for personal injury cases (K.R.S. § 413.140(1)(a)).
Louisiana 1 Year Louisiana’s "liberative prescription" generally limits personal injury actions to 1 year, though there are some exceptions.
Maine 6 Years In Maine, you have 6 years to bring a personal injury lawsuit (14 M.R.S.A. § 752).
Maryland 3 Years Maryland requires personal injury claims to be filed within 3 years (Md. Cts. & Jud. Proc. Code § 5-101).
Massachusetts 3 Years Personal injury actions in Massachusetts must be initiated within 3 years (Mass. Ann. Laws Ch. 260 §§ 2A and 4).
Michigan 3 Years Michigan law sets a 3-year period for personal injury claims (M.C.L.A. § 600.5805(10)).
Minnesota 6 Years Minnesota provides 6 years for personal injury cases (M.S.A. § 541.05), though certain claims (like wrongful death) may have different limits.
Mississippi 3 Years In Mississippi, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 3 years (M.C.A. § 15-1-49).
Missouri 5 Years Missouri allows 5 years for personal injury claims (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120(4)).
Montana 3 Years Montana’s law requires personal injury claims to be brought within 3 years (Mont. Stat. § 27-2-202).
Nebraska 4 Years Nebraska provides a 4-year period for filing personal injury actions (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 25-207).
Nevada 2 Years Nevada sets a 2-year limit for personal injury cases (N.R.S. § 11.190).
New Hampshire 3 Years Personal injury claims in New Hampshire must be filed within 3 years (N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4(I)).
New Jersey 2 Years New Jersey limits personal injury lawsuits to 2 years (N.J.S.A. § 2A:14-2).
New Mexico 3 Years New Mexico requires that personal injury actions be filed within 3 years (N.M.S.A. § 37-1-8).
New York 3 Years Personal injury cases in New York must be filed within 3 years (N.Y. C.P.L.R. § 214, et seq.).
North Carolina 3 Years North Carolina sets a 3-year limit for personal injury claims (N.C.G.S.A. § 1-52(1)-(5)).
North Dakota 6 Years Personal injury claims in North Dakota must be brought within 6 years (N.D.C.C. § 28-01-16(5)).
Ohio 2 Years Ohio limits personal injury lawsuits to 2 years (O.R.C.A. § 2305.10(A)).
Oklahoma 2 Years In Oklahoma, personal injury cases must be filed within 2 years (Okla. Stat. Ann. Tit. 12, § 95).
Oregon 2 Years Oregon law (O.R.S. § 12.110(1)) requires personal injury claims to be filed within 2 years.
Pennsylvania 2 Years Personal injury actions in Pennsylvania must be brought within 2 years (42 P.S. § 5524).
Rhode Island 3 Years Rhode Island requires that personal injury claims be filed within 3 years (R.I.G.L. § 9-1-14(b)).
South Carolina 3 Years In South Carolina, personal injury lawsuits must be filed within 3 years (S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-3-530, 15-3-535).
South Dakota 3 Years South Dakota allows 3 years to file a personal injury claim (S.D.C.L. § 15-2-14(3)).
Tennessee 1 Year Tennessee has a very short 1-year limit for personal injury actions (T.C.A. § 28-3-104).
Texas 2 Years Texas law requires personal injury claims be filed within 2 years (Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. § 16.003).
Utah 4 Years Utah gives 4 years for personal injury actions (U.C.A. § 78B-2-307(3)).
Vermont 3 Years In Vermont, personal injury claims must be filed within 3 years (Vt. Stat. Ann. Tit. 12, § 512(4)/(5)).
Virginia 2 Years Virginia generally requires personal injury lawsuits to be filed within 2 years (Va. St. §§ 8.01-243, 8.01-246).
Washington 3 Years Personal injury actions in Washington must be brought within 3 years (R.C.W.A. § 4.16.080).
West Virginia 2 Years West Virginia imposes a 2-year limit on personal injury claims (W. Va. Code § 55-2-12).
Wisconsin 3 Years Wisconsin law requires that personal injury actions be filed within 3 years (Wis. Stat. § 893.54).
Wyoming 4 Years In Wyoming, personal injury claims must be brought within 4 years (Wyo. Stat. § 1-3-105(a)(iv)(C)).