Introduction
If you've been injured in a car accident, it's normal to be overwhelmed with questions. How can I afford an attorney for my car accident case? How much will it cost? While hiring a personal injury lawyer doesn't have to be expensive, if you don't know what to expect or how the process works, it may seem unclear as to whether or not you can afford this type of legal help—especially if your injuries are severe.
How can I afford an attorney for my car accident lawsuit?
It's a very common question and one of the first questions we hear at this firm. Most reputable personal injury attorneys are willing to work on contingency bases.
If you were injured in an auto accident and the other driver is clearly at fault, it may be possible to find an attorney willing to take your case on contingency (meaning they will only get paid if they win). They won't charge up front because they don't know if they'll win or not—they'll take the risk on the outcome in order to ensure you can afford representation. Otherwise, most people would not be able to afford the hourly rates for an experienced attorney regardless of the severity of injury.
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis.
Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. That means that you will not have to pay them anything out of pocket until your case goes settles or there is a trial verdict, and you receive compensation for your injuries. These fees are generally 33.3% of the amount recovered at settlement and 40% if the case must go to trial. Since most auto accident cases settle before they go to trial, this means that most people do not pay any attorney's fees unless they recover money from their claim.
What is a contingency fee?
What is a contingency fee?
A contingency fee is an arrangement between you and your lawyer in which the attorney's fee is based on a percentage of your winnings. The most common contingency arrangements include:
- 40% — The lawyer will get 40% of any settlement or judgment awarded to you from the other party, but only if he or she helps you to win your case. If there's no recovery, then there's no payment at all. Typically, this fee is charged in more complex injury cases including civil rights cases or cases that go to trial.
- 33% — The lawyer will get 33% of any settlement or judgment awarded to you from the other party, but only if he or she helps you win the case.
These types of agreements are called "contingency" because everything hinges on whether or not a settlement or verdict can be reached—if one cannot be reached then the client will owe the attorney nothing.
What this means is that your attorney will not be paid any fees for his or her services unless and until you receive a monetary settlement or award.
This means that your attorney will not be paid any fees for his or her services unless and until you receive a monetary settlement or award. In the event that you do not win your case, then no legal fee can be charged to you.
In most cases, an attorney will have an agreement with their client stating what percentage of the award is due to them if they win the case. This percentage is usually between 33% and 40%, but it will vary from one attorney to another depending on their experience, reputation, and skill level.
The attorney will usually take a percentage of the settlement amount as their fee.
The attorney will usually take a percentage of the settlement amount as their fee. The percentage depends on your case and the attorney. For example, an attorney may charge 40% or 33%, depending on the complexity of your case and its outcome. If you have questions about what it costs to hire an attorney, talk with them directly before agreeing to work with them so that you're clear on all costs involved in hiring them as well as any possible deductions they may take out of your settlement amount after your lawsuit has been settled.
The amount of the fee depends partly upon which attorney you hire and how complicated your case is.
The amount of the fee depends partly upon which attorney you hire and how complicated your case is. An experienced lawyer with an excellent reputation will charge more than someone who's just starting out, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should steer clear of an up-and-comer. Your best bet is to interview several attorneys and get as much information from them as possible before deciding who to hire—and this could take some time.
The complexity of your case can also influence how much it costs for legal services. A simple auto accident case will cost less than a complex medical device suit or wrongful death lawsuit because there won't be as many hours spent on research and other tasks associated with each case type.
Hiring a good personal injury lawyer doesn't have to cost you anything up front.
- Hiring a good personal injury lawyer doesn't have to cost you anything up front.
- If your case is likely to settle and you win, the attorney will get paid from the amount of money awarded by the court or insurance company.
- Attorneys generally charge a fee for their services, which can vary depending on factors like the complexity of your case and how much work it takes to win it. A typical fee is usually 33% of whatever you end up receiving in settlement—but there are many exceptions!
Contact Personal Injury Attorney Scott D. Hughes
We understand that it may be difficult to find a personal injury attorney. Rest assured, we are here to help. You can start the process by calling us at (714) 987-2671 or filling out our online contact form today.
Scott D. Hughes is a California personal injury attorney practicing in both State and Federal Court.