I was in a car accident in Rhode Island back in 2003, I just settled the case.
Now I just have to wait for the check. How much will my lawyer make?
What percent does the lawyer make off my settlement of 47,235.00?
Also does he take his money before medical bills are paid? :confused:

The attorney's fee is negotiated BEFORE the attorney takes the case. So I don't understand your asking the question. Generally, if the case was taken on a contingency basis then the attorney takes 1/3 off the top.

Not wanting to sound stupid, but you should never settle directly, that is what the lawyer is for, and you should have known his percentage.
So if there insurance company or attorney called you direct, you should say, no I am sorry please talk to my attorney, then the attorney tells you want the offer was, how much you get out of it, and if he thinks you can get more. Normally they will make 2 to 4 offers that are low before they make a fair settlement ( not always of course) I had one case that I was in, they had3 checks already printed in the brief case, we were in the hall in the court house waiting for the case to be called. He offered the first two checks and we said no, he finally came out with the 3rd that we took

If you settle for too little, you could still end up oweing medical bills. So you have to have added up all your medical bills, all of the cost of car repair, figure some for pain and suffering, and figure in your attorneys percentage and then you would know the min you could even start talking about

It is common for the attorney to get 1/3 of the total settlement. Or somewhere in that 15588.00 figure, and that would leave you with about
31647.00 to pay all of your car accident related bills including medical.

Not to be stupid.. I couldn't remember if it was 3% or 1/3 he would get in the settlement. I didn't want to ask him the question because I should have already know the answer myself, but again I forgot myself.

You should have signed an agreement with him that specifies.

I would personally drive to RI and shake your hand if you got a lawyer to take your case on a 3% fee agreement. It has to be 1/3.