Most New York personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay anything up front. Instead, your attorney only gets paid if they win your case, typically by taking a percentage of the settlement or court award (often around one-third, though it can vary). You may also be responsible for certain case expenses, but many firms cover those costs and deduct them from the recovery. This arrangement makes it possible to hire a skilled lawyer without worrying about hourly fees.