SERIOUS ATTORNEYS FOR SERIOUS INJURIES
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Chandler Ross is the best hands down! You can not go wrong with these attorneys!
— Tracy P.
Getting hurt in a car accident near Dallas is stressful enough on its own. Then come the medical bills, the missed work, and the calls from insurance adjusters who are not on your side. Many people in the Denton area want legal help but worry about one thing: how much does a lawyer cost? At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay nothing unless we recover money for you. No upfront fees. No hourly bills. No out-of-pocket costs to get started. If you were hurt in a crash on I-35E near the Denton County Courthouse, on US-380 through Denton, or anywhere in the Dallas metro area, you deserve to know exactly how this works before you make any decisions.
Table of Contents
- What Is a Contingency Fee and How Does It Work in Texas?
- Why Dallas and Denton Area Car Accident Victims Need an Attorney
- What Costs Are Covered Under a Contingency Fee Agreement?
- How the Contingency Fee Model Protects You From the Insurance Company
- What to Expect When You Hire a Contingency Fee Car Accident Lawyer in Dallas
- FAQs About Contingency Fee Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas
What Is a Contingency Fee and How Does It Work in Texas?
A contingency fee is a payment arrangement where your attorney only gets paid if you win. The fee comes out of your settlement or court award. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. This is the standard way personal injury lawyers handle car accident cases across Texas, and it exists for a simple reason: it gives every injured person access to legal help, regardless of their financial situation.
Under Texas Government Code Section 82.065, a contingency fee contract must be in writing and signed by both the attorney and the client. A contingent fee contract for legal services must be in writing and signed by the attorney and client. This protects you. Before you hire anyone, you will receive a clear, written agreement that spells out the percentage your attorney will receive, how case expenses are handled, and what happens if you appeal.
The Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically Rule 1.04, govern how fees are set. Factors considered in determining the reasonableness of a fee include the time and labor required, the novelty and difficulty of the questions involved, the skill requisite to perform the legal service properly, and whether the fee is fixed or contingent on results obtained. In plain terms, the fee must be fair. An attorney cannot simply charge whatever they want.
Attorney contingency fee contracts serve two main purposes: first, they allow plaintiffs who cannot afford to pay a lawyer up-front to pay the lawyer out of any recovery, and second, such contracts, because they offer the potential of a greater fee than might be earned under an hourly billing method, compensate the attorney for the risk that the attorney will receive no fee whatsoever if the case is lost. This shared risk is the foundation of the contingency model. Your attorney has real skin in the game, which means they are motivated to fight hard for the best possible outcome in your case.
Contingency fees for personal injury cases in Texas are commonly set in the range of 33% to 40% of the recovery, depending on whether the case settles or goes to trial. Your written agreement will state the exact percentage. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we walk you through every line of that agreement before you sign anything. You will know exactly what to expect from day one.
Why Dallas and Denton Area Car Accident Victims Need an Attorney
The Dallas metro area, including Denton County, sees a staggering number of crashes every year. Based on reported Texas motor vehicle crashes in 2024, one person was killed every 2 hours and 7 minutes, one person was injured every 2 minutes and 5 seconds, and a reportable crash occurred every 57 seconds. Those numbers are not abstract. They represent real people driving on roads like Loop 288, US-77, and I-35 right here in the Denton area.
Federal crash data compiled by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through its Fatality Analysis Reporting System shows that Dallas continues to have one of the highest fatal crash rates among large American cities, averaging nearly 14 fatal crashes per 100,000 residents annually between 2014 and 2023. When you factor in the high-volume corridors connecting Dallas and Denton, including I-35E and the Dallas North Tollway, the risk for serious injury crashes is real and constant.
The leading cause of car accidents in Texas is speeding, with 131,978 crashes in 2024, of which 22,227 resulted in possible injury, followed by distracted driving with 81,101 crashes in 2024, of which 10,732 resulted in possible injury. Whether your crash involved a rear-end collision on I-35E near the Denton square or a T-bone at a dangerous intersection in Dallas, proving fault requires solid evidence and knowledge of Texas law.
Texas follows a proportionate responsibility system under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. Under Section 33.012, if you are found to share some fault for the crash, the court reduces your damages by your percentage of responsibility. As long as your share of fault does not exceed 50%, you can still recover. But insurance companies use this rule aggressively to reduce or deny claims. Having a car accident lawyer who understands proportionate responsibility can make a significant difference in what you actually receive.
You also need to act quickly. Under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is two years from the date of the accident. Miss that deadline and you lose your right to sue. Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys can make sure your claim is filed correctly and on time.
What Costs Are Covered Under a Contingency Fee Agreement?
Your contingency fee agreement covers the attorney’s fee, but case expenses are a separate matter. These include filing fees, costs for obtaining medical records, deposition fees, expert witness fees, and any investigation costs. Client agrees to reimburse attorney for any and all out-of-pocket expenses incurred by attorney in connection with the prosecution and settlement of claims, including but not limited to, court costs, filing fees, deposition fees, transcript fees, reproduction fees, expert witness fees, travel expenses, investigative expenses, and other expenses which attorney determines to be necessary in the pursuit of client’s claims.
The key question is whether those expenses are deducted before or after the attorney’s fee is calculated. The agreement must specifically state the method used for determining the fee, and must clarify if expenses are deducted before or after calculation of the contingency fee. This is a critical detail. Make sure you understand it before signing. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we explain this clearly and in plain language during your free consultation.
It is also worth knowing that in most personal injury cases, case expenses are advanced by the firm and only reimbursed out of the recovery at the end. If an attorney charges you on a contingent basis, you may still have to pay for the court costs regardless of whether you win or lose the case. This varies by firm, so always ask upfront. We want you to have zero surprises.
If your crash involved a workers’ compensation situation, the rules around attorney fees are different. Under Texas Labor Code Section 408.221, contingency fees in workers’ compensation cases must be approved by the division or court, and generally cannot exceed 25% of the claimant’s recovery. If your injury happened while you were working, such as a delivery driver accident or a company vehicle crash, there may be both a workers’ comp claim and a third-party personal injury claim. Under Texas Labor Code Section 417.001, your workers’ comp carrier may also have a subrogation interest in your personal injury recovery. A car accident attorney familiar with both systems can help you handle this correctly so you keep as much of your recovery as possible.
How the Contingency Fee Model Protects You From the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters are trained to settle claims fast and cheap. They may call you within days of your crash, while you are still recovering from whiplash, a herniated disc, or worse. They will ask you to give a recorded statement and may offer you a quick settlement. That offer is almost always far less than what your case is actually worth. Once you accept it, you cannot go back for more, even if your injuries turn out to be more serious than you first thought.
When you hire Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys on a contingency fee basis, you get a legal team in your corner from day one. We handle all communication with the insurance company so you do not have to. We gather the evidence needed to prove fault, including police reports, medical records, witness statements, and accident reconstruction data. We calculate the full value of your claim, covering medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Texas Transportation Code Chapter 601, the Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act, requires drivers to carry minimum liability insurance. But minimum coverage is often not enough when someone suffers a serious injury. If the at-fault driver was underinsured or uninsured, your own uninsured motorist coverage may apply. We know how to pursue every available source of compensation. Our contingency fee arrangement means we are fully invested in getting you the maximum recovery possible, because our fee depends on it.
Think about it this way: when you hire us, our financial interests are aligned with yours. We do not get paid more by settling fast. We get paid by getting you the best result. That is a powerful protection for you, especially when you are up against an insurance company with a team of lawyers and adjusters working against your claim. Reach out to Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to talk about your case at no cost and no obligation.
What to Expect When You Hire a Contingency Fee Car Accident Lawyer in Dallas
The process starts with a free consultation. You tell us what happened, where the crash occurred, and what injuries you suffered. We review the facts and give you an honest assessment of your case. There is no pressure and no commitment required to have that first conversation. Whether your crash happened near Denton’s downtown square, on the Dallas North Tollway, or on a busy stretch of US-380, we want to hear what you went through.
If we take your case, we sign a written contingency fee agreement with you. That agreement spells out the fee percentage, how expenses are handled, and what happens at each stage of the case. At the conclusion of the matter, the attorney must give the client a statement in writing describing the result, and if there is a recovery to the client, the agreement must show remittance to the client and the method used to determine it, according to the Texas Disciplinary Rules of Professional Conduct. You will always know where your money went and how the final number was calculated.
From there, we get to work. We send preservation letters to secure evidence before it disappears. We communicate with insurance companies on your behalf. We coordinate with your medical providers and, if needed, bring in expert witnesses to support your claim. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to file suit and take your case to trial in Dallas County or Denton County courts.
Cases involving serious injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, or broken bones, often require more time and resources to resolve properly. We advance those costs and recover them from the settlement. You focus on healing. We focus on your case. If you were injured in a crash anywhere in the Dallas metro area, the car accident lawyer team at Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is ready to help. You can also reach us at (940) 800-2500 for a free case review. Serving clients in Denton, Dallas, and surrounding communities, including those who need a car accident lawyer in areas across North Texas.
FAQs About Contingency Fee Car Accident Lawyers in Dallas
How much does a contingency fee car accident lawyer in Dallas charge?
Most personal injury attorneys in Texas charge between 33% and 40% of the final recovery, depending on whether the case settles before or after a lawsuit is filed. The exact percentage is set in a written agreement you sign at the start of representation. Under Texas Government Code Section 82.065, that agreement must be in writing and signed by both you and your attorney. At Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys, we explain every detail of the fee structure before you commit to anything.
What happens if I lose my car accident case?
If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee under a contingency agreement. That is the entire point of the model. However, depending on your agreement, you may still owe reimbursement for case expenses such as filing fees or expert costs if those were advanced by the firm. Your written agreement will spell this out clearly. We discuss this with every client before the agreement is signed so there are no surprises at the end.
Can I still recover if I was partially at fault for the crash?
Yes, in most cases. Texas follows proportionate responsibility under Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 33. Under Section 33.012, your damages are reduced by your percentage of fault. As long as your share of responsibility does not exceed 50%, you can still recover compensation. For example, if you were 20% at fault and your damages total $100,000, you would recover $80,000. Insurance companies often try to inflate your percentage of fault to reduce what they owe. Having legal representation helps counter those tactics.
Does a contingency fee lawyer handle all types of car accident claims in Dallas?
Yes. Contingency fee representation applies to a wide range of car accident cases, including rear-end collisions, head-on crashes, T-bone accidents, hit-and-run cases, multi-vehicle pileups, and crashes involving distracted or drunk drivers. It also covers claims for specific injuries like whiplash, traumatic brain injuries, herniated discs, and soft tissue damage. Whether your case involves a passenger injury, a rental car accident, or a crash caused by a commercial vehicle, the contingency model means you can get legal help without any upfront cost.
How long does a Dallas car accident case take to settle?
Every case is different. Straightforward cases with clear liability and limited injuries may resolve in a few months. Cases involving serious injuries, disputed fault, multiple parties, or uninsured drivers often take longer, sometimes a year or more. Texas law gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit under the statute of limitations in Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Section 16.003. The sooner you contact an attorney, the more time there is to gather evidence and build a strong claim. Call Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys at (940) 800-2500 to get started.
Chandler Ross Injury Attorneys is responsible for the content of this page. Principal office located in Denton, Texas. Results in any particular case depend on the specific facts and law applicable to that case. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome in your matter.
