How Do Car Accident Lawyers Get Paid in Sherman Oaks?

Arya Firoozmand, Esq. — Founding Partner

Local Sherman Oaks Injury Attorney · UCLA Law

Arya Firoozmand is the founding partner at L&F Brown. He grew up in the San Fernando Valley, graduated from El Camino Real High School and UCLA Law School, and has spent his career representing injured clients across the Valley — including Sherman Oaks and the 405 corridor.

Many people who are hurt in a car accident in Sherman Oaks assume they cannot afford a lawyer. Bills are piling up, they may have missed work, and the idea of adding legal fees to the equation feels overwhelming. But personal injury attorneys do not work the same way as other lawyers, and understanding how they get paid can remove one of the biggest barriers to getting help.

Contingency Fees: You Pay Nothing Unless You Win

Car accident lawyers in Sherman Oaks almost universally work on a contingency fee basis. This means:

• You owe nothing upfront
• You do not pay by the hour
• The attorney takes a percentage of the money they recover for you
• If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney's fee

This arrangement makes legal representation accessible to accident victims whether they were injured on Ventura Blvd, the 101, the 405, or anywhere else in the Sherman Oaks area. It also means your attorney is financially motivated to maximize your recovery.

What Percentage Do Lawyers Take?

In California, contingency fees for personal injury cases are typically between 33 and 40 percent of the gross recovery. The exact percentage often depends on whether the case settles before a lawsuit is filed or proceeds through litigation. A common structure looks like this:

• 33 percent if the case settles before filing a lawsuit
• 40 percent if the case goes to litigation or trial

Your attorney must disclose their fee structure in writing before you sign a retainer agreement. Ask questions and make sure you understand what percentage applies and when.

What About Case Costs?

Separate from attorney fees, there are out-of-pocket costs associated with building your case. These can include:

• Filing fees if a lawsuit is filed at Van Nuys Courthouse West
• Medical record retrieval from Sherman Oaks Hospital or other providers
• Expert witness fees for accident reconstruction specialists
• Deposition costs
• Investigation expenses

Most personal injury firms advance these costs on your behalf and deduct them from your settlement at the end. Some firms deduct costs before calculating the attorney fee; others deduct after. This distinction can affect how much you take home, so ask your attorney to show you a sample settlement breakdown before you sign.

A Practical Example

Suppose your case involves a collision at the US-101/I-405 interchange and your attorney negotiates a $300,000 settlement. With a 33 percent fee and $10,000 in case costs, you would receive approximately $190,000 after deductions. Your attorney earns their fee only because they recovered money you might not have obtained on your own.

Why This Benefits You

Because your Sherman Oaks car accident lawyer only gets paid when you do, their interests are aligned with yours. They have every reason to pursue the highest possible settlement or verdict and no reason to drag out your case unnecessarily.

To learn more about fees and what your case might be worth, reach out to L&F Brown serving Sherman Oaks for a free consultation with no obligations.