If you’ve been injured in an accident in St. Louis, you’re likely wondering how much it will cost to hire a personal injury lawyer. The good news: most accident attorneys in Missouri, including The Dixon Injury Firm, work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe nothing unless we recover compensation for you. With over $60 million recovered for injury victims across Missouri and an award-winning legal team, we’ve helped thousands of St. Louis residents get the compensation they deserve without worrying about hourly bills or retainer fees.
The Dixon Injury Firm operates on a simple promise: no fee unless we win. Attorney Chris Dixon lives in St. Louis and raises his family here—his children attend local schools—so when we fight for injured St. Louisans, we’re fighting for our neighbors. Our team has taken on some of the largest insurance companies in Missouri and won, securing millions in settlements and verdicts. Call (314) 208-2808 today for a free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and learn exactly what hiring a personal injury lawyer will cost you.
On this page:
- What is a contingency fee
- How contingency fees work in Missouri
- Typical contingency fee percentages
- What expenses are separate from lawyer fees
- Hourly fees vs. contingency fees
- When you pay if you lose your case
- Why contingency fees benefit injury victims
- Questions to ask about lawyer costs
- How Dixon Injury Firm structures our fees
What Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee is a payment structure where your lawyer’s fee is contingent on—or dependent on—winning your case. If your attorney recovers compensation for you through a settlement or court verdict, they receive a percentage of that recovery as their fee. If they don’t win your case, you owe them nothing for their legal services.
This fee arrangement is standard practice for personal injury cases in Missouri, including car accidents, truck accidents, slip and fall injuries, dog bites, and wrongful death claims. The contingency fee model allows injury victims to access experienced legal representation regardless of their financial situation.
You don’t need thousands of dollars saved up to hire a qualified accident attorney in St. Louis. You don’t need to pay anything while your case is pending. You only pay if your lawyer successfully recovers money for you—and the payment comes directly from your settlement or award, not out of your own pocket.
Don’t let concerns about lawyer costs prevent you from seeking the compensation you deserve. The Dixon Injury Firm offers free consultations to discuss your case and explain our fee structure in detail. Contact us at (314) 208-2808 to learn more.
How Contingency Fees Work in Missouri Personal Injury Cases
When you hire a personal injury lawyer on contingency in Missouri, here’s how the process typically works:
Initial consultation: You meet with the attorney to discuss your accident, injuries, and potential case. Most reputable injury lawyers, including The Dixon Injury Firm, offer this consultation completely free with no obligation to hire them.
Fee agreement: If you decide to hire the lawyer, you’ll sign a contingency fee agreement that clearly states the percentage the attorney will receive if they win your case. Missouri law requires this agreement to be in writing.
Investigation and case work: Your lawyer investigates your accident, gathers evidence, consults with medical experts, negotiates with insurance companies, and if necessary, files a lawsuit. You pay nothing during this time.
Settlement or verdict: If your lawyer successfully recovers compensation through a settlement negotiation or court verdict, they receive their agreed-upon percentage from that recovery. The remaining money goes to you.
If there’s no recovery: If your attorney doesn’t win your case—meaning no settlement and no court award—you owe them nothing for their legal work.
This structure means your lawyer has a strong incentive to maximize your recovery. The more compensation they secure for you, the more they earn. Your interests and your lawyer’s interests are aligned.
Typical Contingency Fee Percentages in Missouri
While contingency fee percentages can vary, most personal injury lawyers in Missouri charge between 33% and 40% of the total recovery, depending on several factors:
Standard contingency fee: Many attorneys charge one-third (33.33%) of the recovery if the case settles before a lawsuit is filed. This is the most common arrangement for straightforward accident cases in St. Louis.
If a lawsuit is filed: The percentage may increase to 40% if your attorney must file a formal lawsuit and take your case through litigation. This reflects the additional time, work, and risk involved in court proceedings.
If the case goes to trial: Some fee agreements include a higher percentage—often 40% to 45%—if your case proceeds all the way to trial. Trials require significant preparation, expert witnesses, and courtroom time.
For complex cases: Particularly complicated cases involving multiple parties, disputed liability, or serious injuries may have different fee structures negotiated on a case-by-case basis.
At The Dixon Injury Firm, we discuss our fee structure transparently during your free consultation. We want you to understand exactly what you’ll pay if we successfully recover compensation for you. As a Super Lawyers® 2024-2025 honoree and member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Chris Dixon has the experience to handle cases efficiently while maximizing your net recovery.
What Case Expenses Are Separate from Lawyer Fees?
It’s important to understand the difference between attorney fees and case expenses (also called “costs”). While you don’t pay attorney fees upfront with a contingency arrangement, there are costs associated with building and presenting your case.
Common case expenses include:
- Filing fees to submit court documents
- Costs to obtain medical records and police reports
- Expert witness fees (accident reconstructionists, medical experts, vocational specialists)
- Court reporter fees for depositions
- Charges for certified copies of documents
- Investigation costs
- Travel expenses for out-of-town depositions or hearings
How expenses are handled varies by law firm. Some attorneys advance these costs on your behalf and then deduct them from your settlement or award at the end. Others may require clients to pay costs as they arise. Many firms, including The Dixon Injury Firm, advance all case costs for you—meaning you still pay nothing out of pocket while your case is pending.
When you meet with a potential lawyer, ask specifically how they handle case expenses. Get clarity on:
- Will the firm advance costs or do you pay them
- Are expenses deducted before or after the contingency fee is calculated?
- What happens to expenses if you lose your case?
The Dixon Injury Firm advances all case costs on your behalf. You won’t receive bills during your case. If we don’t win, you don’t owe us anything—not for our time, not for the expenses we’ve covered. Call (314) 208-2808 to discuss how we handle costs in your specific situation.
Hourly Fees vs. Contingency Fees: Why Contingency Is Better for Injury Victims
Some attorneys charge by the hour rather than on contingency. For personal injury cases, this arrangement is rare—and for good reason. Hourly billing creates significant disadvantages for accident victims.
Hourly fee structure: You pay the lawyer for every hour (or fraction of an hour) they work on your case, regardless of the outcome. Rates for experienced attorneys can range from $200 to $500+ per hour in Missouri. You typically pay a retainer upfront (often thousands of dollars) and receive monthly bills as your case progresses.
Why hourly billing doesn’t work for injury cases: Most people who’ve been hurt in accidents can’t afford to pay hundreds of dollars per hour while they’re unable to work and facing mounting medical bills. Hourly billing also creates a conflict of interest—the more time the lawyer spends on your case, the more money they make, regardless of your outcome.
Contingency fee structure: You pay nothing upfront and nothing while your case proceeds. Your lawyer only gets paid if you get paid. This aligns incentives—your attorney is motivated to resolve your case as efficiently as possible while maximizing your recovery.
The contingency model provides access to justice for everyone, regardless of financial resources. You can hire an experienced, award-winning attorney like Christopher R. Dixon without any money in the bank. The insurance companies and corporations that caused your injuries have teams of lawyers on retainer. The contingency fee model levels the playing field.
What Happens If You Lose Your Personal Injury Case?
Under a true contingency fee arrangement with a reputable Missouri personal injury lawyer, if you don’t recover compensation, you don’t pay attorney fees. It’s that simple.
However, the question of case expenses (costs) is more nuanced. This depends on the specific agreement you signed with your lawyer:
Fee agreement may state: If the case is unsuccessful, the client is responsible for reimbursing the costs the attorney advanced.
Fee agreement may state: If the case is unsuccessful, the law firm absorbs the costs and the client owes nothing.
This is why reading your fee agreement carefully matters. Before you sign, make sure you understand what happens to expenses if your case doesn’t result in a recovery. Ask your lawyer directly: “If we lose, will I owe anything?”
At The Dixon Injury Firm, we believe injury victims shouldn’t bear financial risk when pursuing legitimate claims. We advance all costs, and if we don’t win your case, you owe us nothing—no attorney fees, no reimbursement for expenses we’ve covered. We take the financial risk so you don’t have to.
Our track record speaks for itself: With over $60 million recovered for clients and major victories against some of the largest insurance companies in Missouri, we’re confident in our ability to win. But we also know that hiring a lawyer shouldn’t create financial stress for someone who’s already been hurt.
Why the Contingency Fee Model Benefits Missouri Injury Victims
The contingency fee structure isn’t just convenient—it’s a powerful tool that protects injured people’s rights in several important ways:
Access to experienced representation: You can afford to hire a top-rated attorney regardless of your financial situation. A St. Louis resident who’s been hurt in a car accident can access the same quality legal representation as someone with significant savings.
No financial risk: You don’t gamble your rent money or savings on legal fees. If your case doesn’t succeed, you haven’t lost money on attorney bills.
Motivated attorney: Your lawyer’s payment depends on winning your case and maximizing your recovery. This creates a strong incentive to work efficiently and effectively.
Thorough case preparation: Because the attorney is investing their time and advancing costs, they’re selective about the cases they take. If an experienced lawyer agrees to represent you on contingency, it’s a good sign they believe in your case.
Focus on net recovery: A good contingency fee lawyer doesn’t just focus on the total settlement amount—they focus on maximizing what you take home after fees and costs. A $100,000 settlement that requires extensive litigation might net you less than an $80,000 settlement negotiated efficiently.
The Dixon Injury Firm has recovered over $60 million for injury victims throughout Missouri. Our results include a $30 million wrongful death verdict, a $12 million wrongful death settlement, $2.75 million in a premises liability case, and numerous million-dollar recoveries in car accidents and other injury cases. We’ve achieved these results while working on contingency, never asking our clients to pay upfront or risk their own money.
Important Questions to Ask About Personal Injury Lawyer Costs
When you’re meeting with potential attorneys to represent you in your Missouri injury case, ask these specific questions about fees and costs:
What percentage do you charge as your contingency fee? Get clarity on whether the percentage changes depending on whether a lawsuit is filed or the case goes to trial.
Is your fee calculated before or after case expenses are deducted? This makes a difference in what you take home. For example, if you have a $100,000 settlement, $5,000 in costs, and a 33% fee: If the fee is calculated first, the lawyer gets $33,000 and costs are $5,000, leaving you $62,000. If costs are deducted first, the lawyer gets 33% of $95,000 ($31,350), leaving you $63,650.
How do you handle case expenses? Will the firm advance costs or do you pay them? What happens to expenses if the case is unsuccessful?
Are there any fees I might owe that aren’t covered by the contingency agreement? Some lawyers charge administrative fees or other costs separately. Make sure you understand the complete financial picture.
Can I see your fee agreement before I commit? Any reputable lawyer will provide a written fee agreement for you to review. Take time to read it carefully and ask questions about anything you don’t understand.
Do you offer a free initial consultation? Most personal injury lawyers do, but confirm this before your meeting.
How do you determine if you’ll take my case? Understanding a lawyer’s case selection criteria helps you evaluate whether they’re confident in your claim.
At The Dixon Injury Firm, we answer all these questions transparently during your free consultation. We want you to feel completely comfortable with our fee structure before you hire us. As your neighbors—Chris raises his family in St. Louis and his children attend local schools here—we believe in honest, straightforward communication about every aspect of your case, including costs.
How The Dixon Injury Firm Structures Our Fees
Our fee structure is designed to remove all financial barriers and risk for injury victims in St. Louis and throughout Missouri:
Free consultation: We offer a completely free, no-obligation consultation to discuss your accident, injuries, and potential case. You won’t receive a bill for this initial meeting.
No fee unless we win: We work on a contingency fee basis for personal injury cases. You pay no attorney fees upfront and owe no attorney fees unless we successfully recover compensation for you.
We advance all costs: We cover all case expenses—filing fees, expert witnesses, medical record costs, investigation expenses—without billing you. You won’t receive invoices while your case is pending.
Transparent fee agreement: Before you hire us, we’ll provide a clear, written fee agreement explaining our contingency percentage and exactly how fees and costs are handled.
No hidden charges: We don’t charge administrative fees, document fees, or other surprise costs. Our fee agreement covers everything.
If we don’t win, you owe nothing: If we don’t recover compensation for you, you don’t owe us anything—not for our time, not for the costs we’ve advanced. We take the financial risk, not you.
This structure has allowed us to help thousands of injury victims across Missouri access the quality legal representation they need. Whether you’re a construction worker injured on the job, a parent hurt by a distracted driver, or a family who’s lost a loved one to someone else’s negligence, you can afford to hire an award-winning legal team.
Our credentials include:
- Over $60 million recovered for personal injury clients
- Super Lawyers® 2024-2025 honoree
- Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Association
- Member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum (top 1% of U.S. trial lawyers)
- 25+ years of combined legal experience
- Proven track record against major insurance companies and large corporations
We’ve put these credentials to work for St. Louis families in cases ranging from car accidents to complex wrongful death claims, always on a contingency fee basis.
Understanding the True Value of Experienced Representation
Some accident victims wonder whether hiring a lawyer is worth the contingency fee percentage. Research consistently shows that injury victims who hire attorneys recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims themselves—even after attorney fees are deducted.
Why is this true?
Knowledge of case value: Experienced lawyers know what your case is actually worth. Insurance adjusters count on unrepresented victims accepting lowball offers because they don’t know any better.
Negotiation skill: Personal injury attorneys negotiate with insurance companies every day. We understand their tactics and how to counter them effectively.
Investigation resources: Building a strong case requires gathering evidence, consulting experts, and documenting damages thoroughly. This is difficult to do alone while recovering from injuries.
Legal procedure knowledge: If your case requires litigation, you’ll need to understand court rules, filing deadlines, discovery procedures, and trial presentation. Mistakes in procedure can cost you your entire case.
Willingness to go to trial: Insurance companies know which lawyers will take cases to trial if necessary. They’re more likely to make reasonable settlement offers when you’re represented by an attorney with a proven trial record.
The Dixon Injury Firm has taken on some of the largest insurance companies and corporations in Missouri and won. We’ve secured a $30 million wrongful death verdict and multiple million-dollar settlements because we’re willing to fight through trial when insurance companies won’t offer fair compensation. That reputation works to our clients’ advantage in every case—even those that settle before trial.
When you’re considering whether to hire a St. Louis personal injury lawyer, remember that the insurance company already has lawyers protecting their interests. You deserve someone protecting yours.
What to Expect During Your Free Consultation
When you contact The Dixon Injury Firm for a free consultation, here’s what happens:
We listen to your story: We’ll ask you to explain what happened, how you were injured, and what impact the accident has had on your life. Take your time and share as much detail as you remember.
We review your documentation: If you have police reports, medical records, photographs, insurance correspondence, or other documents related to your accident, we’ll review them. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything organized yet—we can help you gather what’s needed.
We assess your case: Based on our experience with thousands of injury cases in Missouri, we’ll give you our honest assessment of your claim, including potential challenges and the likely range of compensation you might recover.
We explain your options: We’ll discuss your options for pursuing compensation, the process involved, and realistic timelines.
We answer your questions: This is your opportunity to ask anything you want to know about your case, our experience, and our fee structure. There are no dumb questions—we want you to feel informed and comfortable.
We discuss fees clearly: We’ll explain exactly how our contingency fee works, what percentage we charge, how costs are handled, and what you can expect to pay (which is nothing unless we win).
No pressure: You won’t be pressured to hire us on the spot. Take the time you need to think about your decision. We want you to feel confident in your choice.
This consultation is truly free. Even if you decide not to hire us, you won’t receive a bill. We offer this service because we believe injury victims deserve access to information and guidance during a difficult time.
Call (314) 208-2808 today to schedule your free consultation with The Dixon Injury Firm. Let us answer your questions about personal injury lawyer costs in Missouri and how we can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
Missouri Law Protects You in Fee Agreements
Missouri law provides important protections for clients hiring attorneys:
Written fee agreement required: Missouri Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5 requires that contingency fee agreements be in writing and signed by the client. This protects you by ensuring all terms are clearly documented.
Reasonable fees: Attorneys are required to charge reasonable fees. While there’s no specific cap on contingency percentages in Missouri personal injury cases, courts can review fees if disputes arise.
Statement of outcome: When your case concludes, your lawyer must provide a written statement showing the outcome of the matter and explaining the fee calculation and any costs or expenses deducted from the recovery.
These rules exist to protect clients from unfair fee arrangements. If you ever feel uncertain about whether a fee agreement is reasonable, you can consult with another attorney or contact the Missouri Bar Association for guidance.
At The Dixon Injury Firm, we adhere strictly to Missouri’s professional conduct rules and go beyond them to ensure our clients feel informed and protected throughout the legal process.
Don’t Let Cost Concerns Stop You from Getting Help
The most important thing to understand about personal injury lawyer costs in Missouri is this: financial concerns should never prevent you from seeking legal representation after you’ve been injured by someone else’s negligence.
With a contingency fee structure, you can afford to hire an experienced, award-winning attorney regardless of your financial situation. You take no financial risk. You pay nothing unless your lawyer wins your case.
The Dixon Injury Firm has helped thousands of injury victims throughout St. Louis and Missouri pursue compensation without any upfront costs. We’ve recovered over $60 million for our clients while operating on a simple promise: no fee unless we win.
Whether you’ve been hurt in a car accident, truck crash, slip and fall, or any other type of accident caused by negligence, we want to hear your story and help you understand your legal options.
Chris Dixon isn’t just a St. Louis lawyer—he’s a St. Louisan. He lives here, raises his family here, and his children attend local schools. When we represent you, we’re representing our neighbors, our friends, our fellow St. Louisans. Your case matters to us because our community matters to us.
Contact The Dixon Injury Firm Today
If you’ve been injured in an accident in St. Louis or anywhere in Missouri, contact The Dixon Injury Firm for a free consultation. We’ll review your case, answer your questions about lawyer costs and fees, and help you understand your legal options—all without any obligation or cost to you.
Call (314) 208-2808 or visit our office to get started. Our award-winning legal team is ready to fight for the compensation you deserve, and you won’t pay a penny unless we win your case.
Don’t face the insurance companies alone. Don’t accept a lowball settlement because you’re worried about lawyer costs. And don’t let concerns about fees prevent you from learning about your rights and options.
The Dixon Injury Firm is here to help—with no upfront costs, no financial risk, and a proven track record of results against even the largest insurance companies in Missouri. Let us put our experience to work for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Personal Injury Lawyer Costs in Missouri
How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer in St. Louis?
Most personal injury lawyers in St. Louis, including The Dixon Injury Firm, work on a contingency fee basis—meaning you pay nothing upfront and owe nothing unless we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of your settlement or verdict, typically 33-40% depending on the case complexity. You can hire an experienced attorney with no money down and no financial risk.
What does “no win, no fee” really mean?
“No win, no fee” means if your lawyer doesn’t recover compensation for you through settlement or trial verdict, you owe them nothing for their legal services. At The Dixon Injury Firm, we go further—if we don’t win, you don’t pay attorney fees or reimburse case costs we’ve advanced. You truly owe nothing if we don’t recover money for you.
Do I have to pay for a consultation with a personal injury lawyer?
Most reputable personal injury lawyers in Missouri offer free consultations, and The Dixon Injury Firm is no exception. You can meet with us, discuss your accident and injuries, get our assessment of your case, and learn about our fee structure without paying anything or making any commitment to hire us.
What’s the difference between attorney fees and case costs?
Attorney fees are what you pay for your lawyer’s time and expertise, typically a percentage of your recovery in personal injury cases. Case costs (or expenses) are the out-of-pocket costs of building your case—filing fees, medical records, expert witnesses, court reporters, etc. At The Dixon Injury Firm, we advance all costs on your behalf so you pay nothing while your case is pending.
Will I get a bigger settlement if I don’t hire a lawyer and avoid paying fees?
Research shows the opposite is true. Injury victims represented by attorneys typically recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims themselves—even after attorney fees are deducted. Experienced lawyers know how to value cases accurately, negotiate effectively with insurance companies, and take cases to trial when necessary. These skills lead to higher recoveries that more than offset the contingency fee.
Can I negotiate the contingency fee percentage with my lawyer?
Fee arrangements are generally negotiable, though most personal injury lawyers in Missouri charge standard percentages that reflect the work involved. The best approach is to ask about the fee structure during your initial consultation and make sure you understand exactly what you’ll pay if your case is successful. At The Dixon Injury Firm, we discuss our fees transparently and answer all your questions before you commit to hiring us.
How is the contingency fee calculated if my case settles?
The contingency fee is calculated as a percentage of your total recovery. For example, if you settle for $100,000 and your contingency fee is 33%, your attorney receives $33,000. However, the timing of when case costs are deducted can affect your net recovery, so ask whether costs are subtracted before or after the fee calculation. We explain this clearly in our written fee agreement.
What happens if I fire my lawyer or switch attorneys during my case?
If you terminate your attorney before your case concludes, your fee agreement should explain how fees are calculated for work already completed. Many agreements allow the attorney to receive reasonable fees for work performed. If you hire a new lawyer, you may owe fees to both attorneys depending on how the case proceeds. Read your fee agreement carefully to understand the terms for termination.
Are personal injury lawyer fees tax deductible in Missouri?
Generally, attorney fees paid from personal injury settlements are not tax deductible for individual taxpayers. However, personal injury settlements for physical injuries are typically not taxable income under federal law, so this often doesn’t create a tax burden. Consult with a tax professional about your specific situation, as tax treatment can vary based on the type of damages recovered.
How long does it take to receive my money after a settlement, and when are fees deducted?
After your case settles, it typically takes 2-4 weeks to receive the settlement check, process it through your attorney’s trust account, pay any outstanding medical liens or costs, deduct attorney fees, and issue your portion to you. Your lawyer should provide a detailed written statement showing the settlement amount, all deductions, and your net recovery. The Dixon Injury Firm ensures you understand exactly where every dollar goes.
