How Much Does a Car Accident Attorney Cost Out of Pocket? | Auto Accident Lawyers
Questions that this article will help to answer: What is the cost to hire a car accident attorney after a crash | What is a contingency arrangement | How does a contingency arrangement work | What contingency fee percentage should I expect | What are the benefits to hiring a car accident lawyer based on a contingency plan | Why seek assistance after a car crash with a car accident attorney
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, chances are that you’ve at least considered the possibility of working with an attorney. You may have medical bills, lost wages, and property damages, and an attorney can help you recover compensation to cover all these different losses.
Many injured accident victims avoid legal assistance, fearing that it will be extremely costly. This could not be further from the truth! In most accident-related cases, it costs nothing to sue, as it is based on a contingency fee arrangement. So you don’t need to worry that you don’t have expendable cash in hand.
Curious? Call us at 1-800-THE-LAW2 to get connected to an attorney for a free consultation today. For now, let’s explore some of the basics of hiring a car accident attorney.
What is the Cost to Hire a Car Accident Attorney After a Crash?
Hiring an attorney for your motor vehicle accident claim does not cost anything up front. First, most personal injury, or accident, law firms offer free consultations to get started. Using this, you can get a fresh, professional perspective on your case. And, know how to best move forward.
Secondly, in personal injury disputes, attorneys offer “contingency-based” arrangements. This creates a win-win situation for both the injured individual, as well as the attorney.
What is a Contingency Arrangement?
A contingency basis, or contingency fee arrangement, means that the lawyer gets paid when the job is done, and the client is paid for their pain, suffering, and damages. The American Bar Association defines a contingency fee as, “The lawyer agrees to accept a fixed percentage (often one third) of the recovery, which is the amount finally paid to the client.”
Put simply: the attorney gets paid only when the client secures compensation. If the client doesn’t get paid, the attorney doesn’t either. This creates a dynamic where the attorney is incentivized to do the best possible work, and do it efficiently. The more that you, as the injured victim, get through compensation, the more that the attorney gets paid, as they get paid a percentage cut of your total compensation.
How Does a Contingency Arrangement Work?
The client and attorney agree to the “percentage of the outcome” the attorney will receive once they earn an award for their client. They also agree as to how legal expenses will be handled during litigation. Expenses including:
- court filing charges
- travel costs
- and witness fees
Your attorney will generally pay for these extra expenses, though you’ll want to double-check the client-attorney agreement to ensure that this is the case. You can discuss the details more during the initial consultation.
What Contingency Fee Percentage Should I Expect?
In most personal injury cases, contingency fee percentages hover around 33%. Many agreements are based on a sliding scale percentage, however. The percentage will, therefore, shift depending on:
- The expected payout
- How long it takes to resolve the claim
- And the phase of litigation
For example, if the attorney takes a personal injury case, and is easily able to obtain a satisfactory settlement with insurance adjusters in a brief time, they may only charge 25%. If an attorney needs to litigate and the case begins to take on more time and effort, the percentage due will slide up and move to 33%.
It is important to note that minimum and maximum contingency fees may vary depending on:
- State laws in which the client lives
- Where the attorney practices
- Extent of the damages
- Expected recovery amount
- Complexity of the incident
- Experience of the attorney
Benefits to Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Based on a Contingency Plan
Many injury victims struggle with stress and anxiety after an accident. They may have lots of bills to pay that they simply don’t have the money to cover, and post injury lifestyle changes can be difficult to adapt to as well.
A reliable, experienced attorney can alleviate the stress of dealing with insurance companies and bill collectors. Attorneys have the resources to help you obtain the care you need for your injuries, and even the repair work needed for your vehicle.
Hiring based on contingency means there will be no immediate out of pocket legal costs and you will not be billed unless the attorney wins the case. A contingency plan motivates the attorney to do their best, because if they do not do their job, they will not get paid. The risk to you is low, but the potential payout can be high.
Seek Assistance After a Car Crash With a Car Accident Attorney
Did you suffer injuries in a car crash? An experienced car accident attorney can help you recover compensation for your injuries. Call 1-800-THE-LAW2 to find a car accident attorney in your area. Consultation is free and confidential, so don’t delay!
