After being injured in a car, truck, motorcycle, or pedestrian accident caused by another driver’s negligence—whether through distracted driving, speeding, running a red light, drunk driving, or reckless behavior—you’re likely concerned about affording legal representation to pursue the compensation you deserve.
At Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers we put our 50 years of experience of work to eliminate the financial barriers to justice. You won’t pay us a single dollar unless we successfully recover compensation on your behalf. Every fee we collect comes directly from your settlement or jury award, not from your bank account. This payment structure is known as a “contingency fee.”
Understanding Contingency Fee Arrangements
Car accident attorneys commonly use contingency fees to charge for their professional services. Under this arrangement, your lawyer earns a percentage of your final recovery—whether through settlement negotiations or a court verdict. Typically, contingency fees range from 33% to 45%, with 35% being the standard rate. This amount increases to 40% when cases go into litigation. In addition to the attorney’s percentage, clients reimburse certain case-related expenses (such as accident investigation costs, court filing fees, and expert witness fees) from the final settlement or award amount. These expenses remain minimal when cases settle before litigation but may increase if the case proceeds to trial. You owe if you do not recover in your case.
We firmly believe car accident lawyers should only receive payment after securing financial recovery for their injured clients. This philosophy ensures that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, can access competent and quality legal representation. No one should be denied their day in court simply because they lack the funds to pay legal fees upfront.
Free Consultations: Our Commitment to Accessibility
Unlike many law firms that require clients to sign contracts before even discussing their case, Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers offers genuinely free consultations. We believe you deserve the opportunity to understand your legal options and evaluate whether we’re the right fit for your case before making any commitments.
During your free consultation, we’ll listen to your story, assess the strength of your claim, answer your questions, and provide honest guidance—all without any obligation to hire us. There’s no pressure, no contracts to sign, and no fees charged for this initial conversation. You’ll walk away with valuable information about your rights and potential case, whether or not you decide to retain our services.
Kentucky’s Written Contract Requirement
The Kentucky Bar Association requires attorneys to provide written fee agreements for contingency fee cases, as outlined in the Kentucky Rules of Professional Conduct (SCR 3.130-1.5(c)). This legal requirement exists to protect you by ensuring complete transparency about your attorney-client relationship.
A properly drafted written agreement must clearly specify how the fee will be calculated, including whether the percentage applies before or after expenses are deducted, how the percentage may change if litigation becomes necessary, and what costs you’ll be responsible for reimbursing. This written contract isn’t just good practice—it’s a legal mandate designed to prevent misunderstandings and protect your interests.
The Protection of Written Agreements
When hiring an attorney on a contingency fee basis, always insist on a written agreement signed by both you and your lawyer. This document should comprehensively outline your attorney-client relationship and specify exactly how fees will be determined. For instance, many attorneys increase their percentage if a case proceeds to trial rather than settling out of court. The agreement must also clearly identify all costs for which you’ll be responsible.
A written agreement enables your lawyer to ensure liens and medical bills are properly paid from your recovered compensation, saving you time and eliminating uncertainty about outstanding medical expenses. At Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers our experienced attorneys provide all representation agreements in writing, giving you complete control over your case. You maintain the final say in how your case proceeds, and we will never settle your car accident case without your explicit consent.
Managing Medical Bills and Liens from Your Recovery
Medical bills and liens represent one of the most complex and frequently misunderstood aspects of car accident settlements. A lien grants a third party the legal right to recover money they’re owed from your settlement or verdict. Various types of liens may attach to your case funds, arising from state law, federal law, or contractual agreements with medical providers, health insurance companies, or Medicare/Medicaid. When a valid lien exists on your case, the lien holder must be paid first from your settlement or judgment.
- Physician and Medical Provider Liens: Kentucky law allows physicians and medical facilities to place liens on settlements to ensure payment for services they’ve provided. While this might sound concerning, liens often work to your advantage. They enable you to receive necessary medical treatment immediately after your injury, even when you cannot afford out-of-pocket expenses. The medical provider agrees to defer payment until your case concludes with a settlement or verdict.
- Medicare and Medicaid Liens: When Medicare or Medicaid covers medical expenses related to your accident, the government can attach a lien to recover those payments from your settlement. However, because Medicare and Medicaid typically pay significantly reduced rates, you’ll only owe what was actually paid, not the provider’s full charges.
- Private Health Insurance Liens: Your private health insurance company may have contractual rights to recover what they paid for accident-related medical care. Like government programs, private insurers negotiate discounted rates with providers—usually paying more than Medicare or Medicaid but still substantially less than the full billed amount.
- Other Potential Liens: Additional liens may attach to your settlement or award for unpaid child support, alimony, or tax obligations. These liens can reduce your final recovery if not properly addressed.
Insurance companies and medical providers often negotiate to reduce lien amounts. Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers leverages our 50 years of experience, professional relationships, and reputation to minimize your liens as much as possible, maximizing the money you keep from your settlement. We also ensure all outstanding liens are satisfied before distributing your funds, eliminating concerns about unexpected bills after your case closes.
How We Maximize Your Compensation Without Upfront Costs
Flora Templeton Stuart Accident Injury Lawyers covers all upfront costs associated with your claim. Remember: we don’t get paid unless you do.
Our team will promptly and thoroughly investigate your car accident, handle all requests for and reviews of your medical records and bills, prepare comprehensive and detailed settlement demand packages, and conduct aggressive negotiations with insurance companies on your behalf. We’ll gather critical evidence including police reports, witness statements, accident scene photographs, traffic camera footage, vehicle damage assessments, and expert accident reconstruction analysis when necessary. We’ll work diligently to reduce your medical liens to the greatest extent possible and ensure your medical bills are properly paid. Because we refer clients to excellent and credible physicians, you’ll receive the quality medical treatment you need while building the strongest possible case for the compensation you deserve.
Call us today at (888) 782-9090 or contact us online for your free consultation. Our phone lines remain open 24/7 and we never get payed unless you win.
