When a side impact, head-on, or rear-end collision uproots your life, an attorney can help you recoup your losses by suing the negligent driver. However, you may hesitate to seek legal counsel because you are worried about how much a car accident lawyer costs.
Every law firm and advocate is different. Some charge clients hourly or flat rates, while others take cases on contingency, which means the attorney takes a predetermined percentage out of the client’s settlement if the firm wins their case.
At our firm, we believe that getting legal help should be accessible, and we strive to create efficient and effective processes that we tailor to the individual client. Because we understand that finances can be a struggle in the aftermath of a crash, we will take your case on contingency and will not charge you anything to meet with us for the initial consult. With decades of training and advocacy behind us, we can provide personalized guidance as you weigh your options and move through the claims process.
An injured person who worries about being able to afford a lawyer might benefit from talking to multiple legal offices about:
Each law firm creates its own structures for how much it charges clients to handle motor vehicle accident cases. For example, one law firm may charge a fee for the initial consultation but not any upfront legal fees.
In contrast, another firm may provide free initial appointments and refrain from billing the client directly for the services the car crash attorney renders. Instead, it may only take an agreed-upon percentage out of the injured person’s final monetary award if the legal team wins the case. This agreed-upon percentage—called a contingency fee—can provide peace of mind to an injured person who wants the advice of a seasoned law firm but has concerns about the cost.
An injured party may have to pay their attorney regardless of the case outcome; however, it depends on the fee arrangement they have with their lawyer and what the fees are for. Law firms that charge clients hourly or on a flat rate basis may ask a client to submit an upfront payment or pay periodically, even if the lawyer does not win the client’s case. For example, an injured individual may have to put money towards the attorney’s monthly services or agree to pay installments to cover the flat fee.
However, if the lawyer handles the legal matters on a contingency basis, the situation might look different. Under this arrangement, the attorney typically receives an agreed-upon percentage from the client’s settlement. If the lawyer does not win the case for the client, the client may not have to pay them anything. The client may be—but is not always—responsible for covering court filing costs, such as the initial deposit to file the complaint that initiates the lawsuit.
The cost to hire a motor vehicle collision attorney can vary from situation to situation, and it is important for an injured person to do as much research as possible to find a lawyer that is a good fit and within budget—regardless of how much they charge. Another factor to consider is what the client might get in return and the possible benefits of having an experienced legal team to help them with their claim. For example, a well-practiced lawyer can use their knowledge of state compensation laws to help maximize the injured party’s financial award.
Many different factors play into the overall cost of a car accident lawyer. For example, the attorney’s billing arrangement—contingency, hourly, or flat fee—impacts what you pay and when. Likewise, consider what you could get in return for hiring a knowledgeable legal team rather than taking on legal matters by yourself.
Our law firm has helped dozens of individuals secure settlements after a negligent, drunk, or distracted driver causes a collision. While we cannot guarantee that a particular result will happen in your case, we can put forth considerable effort and leverage our extensive skills to help give you a fighting chance. Reach out to Price Benowitz today to schedule a free consultation.
