Sustaining injuries in a car accident, slip and fall accident, or other situation can cause considerable financial losses, pain and suffering. Therefore, you may wonder if you need legal representation after an accident. However, you may assume you cannot afford to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case.
The truth is a lawyer might cost less than you think. Insurance companies only have their best interests in mind when settling personal injury claims. You might think you will win your case only to realize that the insurance company intends to deny or undervalue your injury claim.
Without an accident attorney’s assistance, you may receive a settlement that is worth much less than your damages. Hiring a personal injury attorney can level the playing field and ensure you are treated fairly.
How can you afford to hire a personal injury attorney after an accident? By hiring an attorney on a contingency fee arrangement.
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How Do Attorneys Get Paid for Their Services?
Attorneys may charge for their legal services based on an hourly rate, flat fee, or contingency fee basis. The fee structure an attorney chooses depends on several factors. Most personal injury law firms use a contingency fee agreement.
A contingency fee means that an attorney will be paid for legal services based on the amount they recover for your personal injury claim. If the attorney does not recover any money for your claim, you do not owe them any attorneys’ fees. Attorneys use contingency fees in all types of personal injury cases, including cases involving car accidents, wrongful deaths, and medical malpractice.
Contingency fees allow injured individuals to have legal representation without upfront payment of attorneys’ fees. In other words, you can hire a Tampa personal injury lawyer without paying any money upfront. Instead, the attorney receives a percentage of your settlement amount or jury verdict.
For example, if your attorneys’ fee agreement allows for a 30 percent contingency fee, your attorney would receive 30 percent of the total settlement amount. The fee is paid to the attorney before deducting any expenses of the case or distributing money for medical bills or other costs.
How Are the Costs of the Case Paid?
The costs of the case are different from attorneys’ fees. These expenses are incurred as the attorney investigates your claim, gathers evidence, and prepares for court.
A case’s costs depend on many factors, including the complexity of the case. Complex cases may have higher costs.
Examples of costs incurred for a personal injury case include:
- The cost of obtaining medical records and police reports
- Fees for expert witnesses
- Travel expenses for the attorney
- Cost of the investigation
- Court costs and fees
- Postage and copy costs
- Trial preparing costs
- Deposition costs
Many injury lawyers pay the costs of the case as they are incurred. At the end of the case, the attorney is reimbursed for costs from the settlement funds or jury verdict.
Before signing a retainer agreement, ask whether you are responsible for paying the costs regardless of whether the attorney wins the case. Some law firms require clients to pay costs as they are incurred or pay costs at the end of the case even if the lawyer does not recover any money for the claim.
Before hiring a lawyer to handle your injury claim, you need to be clear about what you are responsible for paying.
How Much Do You Pay for a Contingency Fee?
The amount of a contingency fee is set by the law firm. The percentage charged for the attorneys’ fee depends on several factors. Factors that can affect the amount of a contingency fee include, but are not limited to:
- The type of personal injury case being handled
- The attorney’s experience, education, and skills
- The law firm’s success record
- Trial experience and negotiating skills
- The parties involved in the case
- An attorney’s special certifications
- The lawyer’s reputation in the legal community
- The location of the law firm
- The jurisdiction and the court handling the case
Remember that an attorney with the lowest contingency fees may not be the best choice for an attorney. When choosing an attorney, you should consider all factors, including skills, experience, track record, trial experience, and personality. Hiring an attorney with the lowest fee will not benefit you if the attorney loses the case because they have very little experience, insufficient resources, or adequate support staff.
When Should You Hire a Tampa Personal Injury Lawyer?
It is always wise to consult an injury lawyer about your case. Most attorneys offer free consultations, so it does not cost you anything to meet with the attorney. During a free consultation, the attorney explains your legal options, attorneys’ fees, and how he can help you with your case.
Factors that indicate you may need a personal injury attorney to handle your case include:
- Your case involves multiple parties or government entitles
- You were involved in a traffic accident with a commercial truck, bus, or another commercial vehicle
- You sustained catastrophic injuries or permanent disabilities and impairments, such as amputations, paralysis, brain injuries, disfigurement, and damage to internal organs
- Your child was injured in an accident or sustained a birth injury
- Your case involves a premises liability claim or defective product
- A family member died, and you need to file a wrongful death claim
There could be other reasons why you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case. Taking the time to meet with an attorney to discuss your legal options could benefit you in many different ways. Even if you do not hire a lawyer, at least you will better understand your legal rights.
Contact Our Tampa Personal Injury Attorney for a Free Consultation
If you were injured in an accident or because of another party’s negligence, we can help. Call our law firm to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case with a Tampa personal injury lawyer. You deserve to receive fair compensation for the injuries and damages caused by another party’s wrongdoing.
