No Upfront Costs: Understanding How Car Accident Lawyers in New Jersey Get Paid

Car accidents are disruptive, stressful, and often life-changing. Beyond the physical pain and emotional toll, many victims are left facing medical bills, car repairs, lost wages, and uncertainty about how they will move forward. For those injured in New Jersey car accidents, hiring a lawyer may be essential to recovering fair compensation.

But there’s one big concern many people have when seeking legal help: “How much is this going to cost me?”

The good news is that in New Jersey, most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis — which means no upfront costs. Instead of paying hourly fees or large retainers, you only pay if you win your case. But not all contingency fee agreements are the same. Some firms charge more, while a select few—like The 25 Percent Lawyers—believe clients deserve to keep more of their settlement.

This guide will help you understand how contingency fees work in New Jersey, what to expect when hiring a car accident lawyer, and why The 25 Percent Lawyers, led by Raffi T. Khorozian P.C., stand apart from the rest.

How Contingency Fees Work in New Jersey

In most personal injury cases, including car accidents, lawyers charge contingency fees rather than hourly rates. This means:

• You pay nothing upfront.

• Your lawyer only gets paid if they win your case.

• Their fee is a percentage of your settlement or verdict.

This system exists to ensure anyone can access legal representation, regardless of financial situation. It eliminates the barrier of expensive hourly billing and aligns the lawyer’s interests with yours: the better they do for you, the better they do for themselves.

The Standard in New Jersey: 33%

Across New Jersey, the standard contingency fee for car accident lawyers is around 33% (one-third) of the recovery. For example:

• Settlement: $300,000

• Standard Lawyer Fee (33%): $100,000

• Client Keeps: $200,000

While this may seem fair compared to hourly billing, it can still mean giving up a significant portion of the money meant to help you rebuild your life.

The Benefits of a Contingency Fee System

The contingency fee system offers several advantages for accident victims:

1. No Upfront Cost – You don’t pay anything unless you win, which makes legal help accessible.

2. Risk-Free Representation – If your lawyer doesn’t secure compensation, you owe nothing.

3. Aligned Interests – Your lawyer is motivated to maximize your recovery.

4. Level Playing Field – Victims can take on powerful insurance companies without financial disadvantage.

Still, while contingency fees make justice more accessible, the percentage charged by your lawyer matters a great deal. That’s where The 25 Percent Lawyers stand apart.

Hidden Costs & What to Watch Out For

It’s important to know that in addition to lawyer fees, other expenses may arise in a case:

• Filing fees

• Expert witness fees (such as accident reconstruction specialists)

• Medical record retrieval costs

• Investigation expenses

Some lawyers may deduct these costs before calculating their percentage fee, while others deduct them after. This can make a major difference in your final recovery. Always ask upfront how these expenses will be handled.

Transparency is key — and it’s one of the cornerstones of how The 25 Percent Lawyers operate.

Why Choose The 25 Percent Lawyers?

Now that you understand how contingency fees typically work in New Jersey, let’s look at why The 25 Percent Lawyers, led by Raffi T. Khorozian P.C., are redefining the standard.

A Lower Fee: Only 25%

Unlike most New Jersey attorneys who charge 33%, The 25 Percent Lawyers take only 25% of your recovery. That’s an 8% difference — which might not sound like much until you see it in numbers.

• Settlement: $300,000

• Standard Lawyer Fee (33%): $100,000

• 25 Percent Lawyer Fee (25%): $75,000

• Extra Money in Your Pocket: $25,000

That’s real money you keep for medical care, lost income, or rebuilding your life.

This is why we proudly call ourselves The 25 Percent Lawyers: because you deserve to keep more of your own settlement.

Who We Are: Raffi T. Khorozian P.C.

At the heart of The 25 Percent Lawyers is Raffi T. Khorozian P.C., a respected New Jersey attorney with years of experience fighting for accident victims. He has built his reputation on two guiding principles:

1. Clients come first.

2. Fair fees mean fairer outcomes.

By lowering the standard contingency fee from 33% to 25%, Raffi ensures that justice doesn’t come at an unfair price. His approach is rooted in compassion, transparency, and a commitment to ensuring clients leave with as much financial security as possible.

At Every Stage: Why 25% Matters

• Initial Consultation: With many firms, free consultations are offered, but you’re often locked into a standard 33% fee. With The 25 Percent Lawyers, from day one you know you’re paying less if you win.

• During Case Preparation: Accident reconstruction, medical reports, and expert witnesses all cost money. At other firms, those costs eat into what little is left after a 33% fee. With Raffi’s 25% structure, you start with more margin in your favor.

• Settlement Negotiations: Insurers often lowball offers. With 25% instead of 33%, you don’t feel forced to accept less just to walk away with something. You’ll always walk away with more.

• Trial: If your case goes to trial, the stakes are high. A lower fee means you can confidently pursue full justice, knowing your net recovery will still be fair.

This isn’t just about saving money — it’s about ensuring every decision made in your case is about your best interest, not financial pressure.

Why Local Experience Still Matters in New Jersey

New Jersey has one of the most complex and congested traffic networks in the country. The New Jersey Department of Transportation reported:

• Over 278,000 motor vehicle crashes statewide in 2022.

• Bergen County alone accounted for nearly 20,000 crashes annually, many in high-traffic zones like Fort Lee and Paramus.

• More than 700 fatalities statewide in 2022, with pedestrian deaths making up almost 30% of that total.

Local context matters. Whether it’s knowing how Hackensack judges handle cases, understanding Paramus shopping district crash patterns, or fighting for victims of pile-ups near the George Washington Bridge in Fort Lee — New Jersey-focused lawyers bring insights that statewide generalists may miss.

That’s why hiring a New Jersey-based firm like The 25 Percent Lawyers is a smarter choice than working with large statewide firms who may not have the same local familiarity.

The Client Advantage: More Money, Less Stress

The difference between 25% and 33% can be life-changing for accident victims. Let’s break it down further:

• On a $500,000 settlement:

  • Standard Lawyer (33%): $165,000 fee → Client keeps $335,000

  • The 25 Percent Lawyers: $125,000 fee → Client keeps $375,000

  • Difference: $40,000 back in your pocket

• On a $1,000,000 settlement:

  • Standard Lawyer (33%): $330,000 fee → Client keeps $670,000

  • The 25 Percent Lawyers: $250,000 fee → Client keeps $750,000

  • Difference: $80,000 back in your pocket

That’s the cost of a home renovation, college tuition, or years of medical support.

What To Do If You’ve Been in a Car Accident in New Jersey

If you or a loved one has been involved in a crash, here are the critical steps:

1. Call 911 and report the accident — Get a police report for your records.

2. Seek medical care immediately — Even minor injuries can become serious.

3. Collect evidence — Photos, witness details, insurance info.

4. Avoid talking to insurers without legal advice — They may use your words against you.

5. Contact The 25 Percent Lawyers — Ensure you’re represented by a firm that puts more money in your pocket, not theirs.

Conclusion: The Smarter Choice for New Jersey Accident Victims

Hiring a car accident lawyer in New Jersey should never feel like a financial burden. Thanks to contingency fees, you can pursue justice without paying upfront. But don’t settle for the standard 33% fee when you don’t have to.

With The 25 Percent Lawyers, led by Raffi T. Khorozian P.C., you get the same fierce representation as any top firm — but with a fairer fee structure that lets you keep more of what you deserve.

In every stage of your case, from consultation to settlement or trial, our promise is simple: we fight for your rights, and we charge less for it. That’s why we’re proud to be called The 25 Percent Lawyers.