Call for a FREE CONSULTATION
You Don't Pay Until We Win
Call For A Free Consultation (312)726-9000
(312)726-9000
Finding the right car accident lawyer is vital, and you want to consider several significant aspects. Not all car accident attorneys have the same education and experience, for example, and they also don’t all charge the same amount for their services.
The majority of car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. Contingency fees mean that they only get paid when they win your car accident claim and aren’t paid if they don’t recover money for you. Still, there can be additional fees and expenses that aren’t included.
Before choosing personal injury lawyers to represent you after your car accident, make sure you talk with them about their contingency fees and other costs, so you know exactly where you stand. Here’s what to know about how personal injury claims may be billed.
The initial thing to consider is the overall fee arrangement, which is typically one of four options: hourly fee arrangement, flat fees, contingency fee, or retainer fees. You may have only one of those aspects to consider, or there may be more than one type of billing for your case.
Hourly rates are pretty self-explanatory. Your car accident lawyer will bill you for each hour they labor on your case. Depending on how much they charge per hour and how complicated your case is, that could quickly add up to a lot of money.
Most personal injury lawyers don’t bill hourly for a car accident claim, but that doesn’t mean none of them will. Asking about the fees is very important, and you want to be clear on whether you’ll be paying an hourly fee for any part of the work done on your case.
A flat fee arrangement means that your car accident attorney will ask for a fixed amount for their services. They usually arrive at this number by calculating how much work they think the case will take and then determining what they feel is a fair price for that work.
While a flat fee arrangement isn’t all that common for a car accident lawyer, you still want to make sure your attorney isn’t planning to bill this way. If there are some flat fees for specific aspects of your case, that should be spelled out, as well.
The contingency fee basis is the most common way for a car accident lawyer to be paid. This helps ensure that attorneys only take cases they feel confident they can win, and car accident victims aren’t being asked to spend money they don’t have to secure representation.
When a car accident lawyer wins this kind of case, the contingency fee is typically a percentage of the recovered compensation. While usually around 30%, you’ll want to ask your attorney what their fee percentage is and if additional costs are involved.
A retainer fee agreement isn’t common for personal injury cases. This is more often used when you need to retain the services of an attorney for a specific period of time, or you want to have an attorney available to you or your business for a consultation.
You may also be requested to settle a retainer fee to enter into a contract for an attorney to represent you in a specific matter. However, most car accident cases aren’t handled this way, and a contingency fee is much more common.
In addition to understanding the type of fee your car accident lawyer requires, you also need to understand that an experienced car accident lawyer may be more expensive than one without the same level of experience in cases like yours.
Many factors can influence car accident lawyer fees. The least expensive option isn’t always the best. You want to select a car accident lawyer worth the cost but also ensure you get excellent representation for your car accident case.
The complexity of car accidents can vary from one case to another. Because of that, contingency fee agreements may also be adjusted to reflect that. If you have a highly intricate case that will require more from your auto accident lawyer, costs may be higher.
Your medical records and the police reports from the accident will help show the insurance company and other parties the seriousness of your injuries. The law firm may adjust its contingency fee agreement based partially on the accident’s severity.
Where you are located matters for legal services in your personal injury case. A car accident lawsuit in Arkansas isn’t likely to cost the same as a car accident in California because there are economic differences between states. Having a good lawyer on your side is what matters.
Legal services from an experienced lawyer who regularly wins personal injury law cases may mean higher attorney fees. You’re paying for the skill and experience of the personal injury lawyer you hire, and choosing a quality attorney with a good reputation can be very important.
The national average cost of a car accident lawyer is between 25% and 40% of the amount recovered on a contingency fee basis. However, that doesn’t mean your lawyer can’t work for less or ask for more. Before agreeing to pay attorney fees, ensure you understand the costs.
There are also regional variations in cost. States, where the cost of living is higher, will typically have car accident lawyer fees that are also higher. That’s not always the case, though. Attorneys can set contingency fee agreements.
Several factors affect cost variations, including the skill and experience of your car accident lawyer, the seriousness of your injuries, and the complexity of your case. If your attorney’s going to spend multiple hours working with the insurance company, your costs may be higher.
Where some car accident victims get confused is in assuming that contingency fees are the only part of their billing agreement. That can be true for some attorneys who clearly advertise that their clients won’t pay a penny unless the attorney wins their case.
With some car accident lawyer fees, some smaller costs are still required. This can include court reporter fees, fees to obtain medical records and police reports, court filing fees, and more. It’s important to ask about these when you hire an attorney.
There may also be expert witness fees and additional legal fees for any investigation or research performed for your case. While most of these costs are minor, legal fees can add up quickly in complex car accident claims.
Most personal injury attorneys are good at spelling out these costs and potential expenses in their contracts. Still, not all law firms are the same. When you meet with an attorney for a free legal consultation, talking about their fees and expenses should be a big part of that.
As you seek financial recovery for your auto accident, it makes sense that you would want the maximum compensation you can receive. That can differ depending on a lot of factors, and the net settlement could be reduced more than expected if you’re not prepared for the costs.
Administrative and paralegal fees, document and copying fees, and travel expenses are the most common financial costs you might not expect. These generally don’t add up to a lot of money, but you’ll still be putting them on top of medical bills.
It’s important to keep hidden costs as low as possible and understand your charges. Asking about a fixed fee for these things can help, but not all attorneys will agree to that.
The good news is that these costs are generally very low, so you won’t end up with a lot of expenses if your case isn’t successful. You can also have these costs taken from the recovered amount along with the contingency fee percentage, so you don’t have to worry about them.
To get more detailed information about the attorney’s fees and upfront costs in your particular case, a free consultation can help. That way, you can ask questions about your expenses and what you can expect during and after your case.
Along with an attorney fee, you want to be sure you’re prepared for additional costs. Talking to our attorney at Conboy Law about your concerns makes it easier for you to decide whether to pursue your accident case.
Pursuing a claim with an attorney is typically more effective for accidents with significant injuries than working with the other party and their insurance company on your own. Even though some of the settlement will go to the attorney, the overall settlement amount is still typically higher.
If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact our injury attorneys today!
"*" indicates required fields
