How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer In St. Louis?

After a serious accident in St. Louis—whether it’s a car crash on I-64, a truck accident on I-70, or a slip and fall at a local business—injury victims almost always ask the same question: “How much will it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?”

The insurance companies want you to believe you can’t afford top legal help. They hope you’ll try to go it alone, accept their lowball offer, and save them millions. But here’s the truth: hiring a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis costs you nothing up front!

At Sansone & Lauber, we work on a contingency fee basis. That means we don’t get paid unless you win.

In this blog, we’ll break down exactly how legal fees work, why contingency matters, and why hiring an experienced St. Louis accident lawyer actually increases your net recovery.

Understanding the Contingency Fee Model in Missouri

Unlike other areas of law (divorce, criminal defense, corporate law), personal injury attorneys in Missouri don’t charge hourly fees. Instead, we use a contingency fee structure.

Here’s what that means:

• Zero upfront fees. You don’t pay to start your case.

• No hourly billing. We don’t bill you for phone calls, meetings, or hours spent in court.

• We cover case costs. That includes investigators, expert witnesses, depositions, and trial preparation.

• We only get paid if we win. Our fee comes from a percentage of your settlement or verdict.

This system levels the playing field. You don’t need deep pockets to hire a powerful trial team like Sansone & Lauber.

What Percentage Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Take?

Most personal injury lawyers in Missouri charge between 33% and 40% of the final recovery, depending on when the case resolves.

• Pre-litigation settlement: Typically around 33%.

• If a lawsuit is filed: Often increases to 40% due to trial costs, depositions, and courtroom preparation.

At Sansone & Lauber, we are transparent from the start. You’ll know exactly what percentage applies to your case, with no hidden fees.

Who Pays Case Expenses?

In addition to attorney fees, cases have hard costs—for example:

• Police reports and medical records

• Expert witness testimony

• Accident reconstruction specialists

• Court filing fees

• Depositions and transcripts

At Sansone & Lauber, we front these expenses for you. You don’t pay them out of pocket. They are reimbursed only if we recover compensation for you.

Why Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer Pays for Itself

Insurance industry studies show that accident victims with attorneys recover significantly more money than those without—even after attorney fees.

Here’s why:

• We know the true value of your claim. Insurers push quick settlements. We calculate the full costs of medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and future damages.

• We fight comparative fault arguments. Missouri’s pure comparative fault law means your award is reduced if you’re partly at fault. We minimize that percentage to maximize your recovery.

• We’re trial ready. Insurers know which firms settle cheap. Sansone & Lauber has a track record of multi-million-dollar verdicts. That reputation forces insurers to pay fair value.

Common Myths About the Cost of a St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer

Myth 1: “Lawyers take most of the money.”

Reality: Victims who hire lawyers often end up with far more in their pocket than those who don’t.

Myth 2: “I can’t afford a lawyer right now.”

Reality: You pay nothing out of pocket to hire Sansone & Lauber.

Myth 3: “All lawyers charge hidden fees.”

Reality: Our contingency fee agreement is clear, transparent, and explained before you sign.

Case Examples: How Contingency Fees Work in Real Life

Example 1:

• Settlement: $300,000

• Attorney Fee (33%): $99,000

• Case Costs: $10,000

• Client Net: $191,000

Example 2 (trial case):

• Jury Verdict: $1,000,000

• Attorney Fee (40%): $400,000

• Case Costs: $50,000

• Client Net: $550,000

Without a lawyer, these clients might have accepted $50,000–$100,000 offers. Hiring Sansone & Lauber made the difference.

Why You Should Never Hire the Cheapest Lawyer

Some firms advertise cut-rate fees. But here’s the danger:

• They may settle cases fast to move volume, leaving money on the table.

• They may lack resources to take cases to trial.

• They may assign your case to paralegals instead of experienced trial lawyers.

At Sansone & Lauber, we don’t compete on being the cheapest—we compete on being the most effective.

St. Louis Accident Victims Also Ask:

“How much is the consultation?”

Free. Always.

“What if we lose?”

You owe us nothing.

“Can I get a lawyer if I don’t have money?”

Yes. That’s the purpose of contingency fees.

“Do all Missouri injury attorneys charge the same?”

Most charge similar percentages, but experience and results vary drastically.

Why Choose Sansone & Lauber in St. Louis?

• Proven Results: $14.2 million motorcycle accident verdict, $3.6 million pedestrian settlement, and more.

• Trial Reputation: Insurance companies know we don’t back down.

• Local Advantage: We know the judges, juries, and insurers in St. Louis.

• Client Dedication: Every case is personally handled by experienced attorneys—not case managers.

Conclusion: The Real Cost of a St. Louis Personal Injury Lawyer

The real question isn’t “How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?” It’s “How much will it cost me not to?”

Insurance companies hope you won’t hire a lawyer. They know it saves them money. Don’t give them that advantage.

At Sansone & Lauber, you pay nothing upfront, nothing out of pocket, and nothing unless we win. And when we win—we fight to get you every dollar Missouri law allows.

📞 Call Sansone & Lauber today at 314-863-0500 for a free case evaluation.
You risk nothing. You gain everything.