No one wants to hire a lawyer, but sometimes it becomes necessary. If you have experienced an injury in an accident, now’s a great time to speak with a lawyer about their services and how they may be able to help you recover maximum compensation.
Costs to Hire a Lawyer
The cost to hire an attorney will vary depending on your legal needs. But when you’re injured in an accident, hiring a lawyer should cost you nothing upfront. If you meet with a lawyer who says they’ll charge you an hourly rate to pursue your personal injury claim, find another lawyer.
Contingency
Most personal injury cases run on a contingency basis. That means you pay almost no money upfront, and you only owe your lawyer a fee if they win. In this way, your legal team’s actions and results speak for themselves.
If your personal injury claim is successful, your lawyer will receive the settlement funds and take their portion out of those funds before sending you the rest. You will agree to the percentage the lawyer will get before you receive the funds, so you know well in advance what you will owe your lawyer.
This fee generally ranges between 30 and 40 percent. That may seem like a lot, but your lawyer will need to spend a great deal of money to investigate your case, take depositions, review evidence, speak with experts, and present your best interests at settlement negotiations and in court. This amount also incentivizes your legal team to provide you with strong representation—they are invested in your success and are only likely to take your case if they believe you have a strong chance.
Case Costs
The contingency fee may not cover some minor costs, such as the filing fee for your personal injury claim. Your lawyer cannot pay some filing fees on your behalf.
Some lawyers may try to charge you additional fees, even if you lose. These so-called case costs may include the bill for expert witnesses, travel expenses, and other fees related to your case. Even though you didn’t win, some law firms may try to get some reimbursement from you. Make sure you ask about these costs upfront.
What a Lawyer Does for You
Above all, you need to feel comfortable with your legal team. You have suffered injuries that have altered the course of life, at least temporarily. You need someone you trust to handle your case and work toward getting you maximum compensation so you can focus on your recovery.
Investigates Your Accident
Whatever type of accident you were in, an investigation will be key to understanding exactly how your injuries happened and who caused them. Your lawyer may need to rely on accident reconstruction experts to help review the evidence, especially in more complex cases like semi-truck accidents.
Even in seemingly simple cases like a slip and fall, you still need to know what caused the slippery floor and who is to blame. Establishing fault is crucial because you must file your claim against the appropriate party, or your case could be dismissed.
Negotiates with the Insurance Company
One of the most frustrating parts of a personal injury claim is dealing with insurance companies. They are out to make as much money as possible, not help you recover from your accident.
That’s why you need to have an aggressive and experienced personal injury attorney fighting for you. Your legal team can stand up to the big insurance companies, battling to get you the maximum compensation that helps you avoid paying a penny out of pocket. Nearly half of all personal bankruptcies filed each year result from an inability to pay medical expenses. Don’t let this happen to you.
Meets Deadlines
You must meet many deadlines in your personal injury claim. The most important is the initial filing deadline, called a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations varies by state. Be sure to talk to your lawyer as soon as possible after an injury to ensure they have enough time to prepare your case.
Though most statutes of limitations are years long, consider all of the hurdles you may face on the road to filing a claim:
- Extended hospital stays
- Multiple surgeries
- Long periods out of work
- In facility rehabilitation
- In-home care
Each of these items will take time. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence goes missing in your case, and witnesses forget what they saw. You can avoid this by partnering with a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident.
Contact a Trusted Legal Advisor Today
The legal team you choose can make a difference in your personal injury claim. Partner with a trusted and aggressive legal advocate who can fight for your best financial interests while you focus on getting better. In most cases, you can request a free case evaluation and pay nothing until you’ve received the compensation you deserve.
