How Much Does a Lawyer Make in a Car Accident Case?
Several factors can affect your final price in a car accident case. For instance, how long the case takes to be completed can impact legal fees. Having an experienced attorney on your side can also increase the chances of you getting a favorable settlement. A car accident lawyer can help you gather the necessary evidence and documents, interview eyewitnesses, and hire an expert witness.
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In general, an experienced lawyer will charge more for his or her services. However, the most expensive lawyers aren’t necessarily the best. If you don’t have the time or financial means to spend money on an expensive lawyer, you might want to consider hiring a less expensive one instead.
While most car accident lawyers work on a contingency basis, some require you to pay upfront. Some also offer certain types of legal services for a fixed fee. Other firms will ask for a percentage of your settlement. You’ll have to read the fine print on these agreements.
The standard contingency fee for a car accident lawyer varies, depending on the attorney’s guidelines and the quality of services they provide. This fee can range from 33 percent to 40 percent of the total amount of compensation you are awarded. Depending on your situation, your lawyer might raise the fee to a higher percentage if he or she wins the case.
It is also important to determine if your attorney is charging an hourly rate. Typically, you can expect to pay $150 to $500 for an hour of an experienced attorney’s time. Your car accident lawyer should also give you a good-faith estimate of the number of hours they will spend on your case.
Lastly, you should know that a lot of the costs that come up in a car accident case are unavoidable. For example, if your car was totaled, you may need to pay the liable party’s insurance company. Similarly, the filing and litigation fees for your case can be expensive. Additionally, the insurance company has legal professionals fighting for their interests, so they’ll want to pay as little as possible.
Ultimately, the amount you’re able to recover in a car accident case depends on the liable parties and the severity of your injuries. If you have suffered permanent injuries, you might be able to sue outside the no-fault framework. But the process will take a while, and you will need to pay for medical expenses and repair bills. And if you’re a single parent with kids, you might be struggling to make ends meet.
Considering these factors, it’s easy to see why a majority of people shy away from contacting a lawyer after an accident. They think they won’t be able to afford the initial retainer fee or the high hourly rates. Luckily, most attorneys will offer free consultations to ensure that you clearly understand how much your case will cost. Whether you need an experienced accident attorney or an assistant, it’s never too late to consult a professional.