You do not need to pay a lawyer upfront for their services. In fact, you only pay them if you win your case. Winning means receiving a settlement check or a jury award. Then, your attorney gets paid out of the proceeds of your case. If you do not win your case, you will not need to pay an attorney, limiting the amount of risk to you. The personal injury system wants you to get legal help and structures attorney compensation to make it easy for you.