Personal Injury Lawyer
When you get hurt because of someone else’s negligent behavior, you may try and recoup some of what you lost in court. Filing a lawsuit in a personal injury case is the job of an attorney who is well-versed in not only court procedures but negotiating a reasonable outcome. While you may want to hire an attorney, you may worry that you can’t afford one. When it comes to personal injury attorneys, there is good news – They often do not require an upfront fee. Learn how this sect of the legal field handles getting paid to help you win.
No Upfront Fees
Many attorneys charge a retainer upon engagement. This is usually set by the attorney and may depend on several things, including:
- The scope of your case
- The estimate of getting started
- Your personal history with the attorney
In personal injury cases, however, attorneys do not charge a retainer. They instead enter into a contract with you for a contingency fee which is payable out of the settlement proceeds after the case. Personal injury attorneys work like this for many reasons, but the most basic is they know their clients are at a low point financially, and they want to help. Therefore, charging at the conclusion of the cased based on how well they performed is ideal for this type of practice.
Tiered Payment Depending on Timing of Settlement
When you have your consultation with an attorney, they should explain how the personal injury litigation process works in detail. They will also explain how they collect fees and how much those wind up being. If an attorney can negotiate a settlement relatively quickly, their typical take of the proceeds is about 35%. That is taken off the top as attorneys get the settlement check or wire and then distribute the remainder to you. As the case moves forward and closer to court, the lawyer’s work intensifies. Collection rates may grow as well, and can sometimes max out around 60%.
Costs and Expenses Associated With Your Case
Hourly legal rates are not the only costs and expenses an attorney may collect as part of the litigation process. Other attorneys or paraprofessionals may also work on your case and bill their related rate. There are things like depositions, expert witness fees, and investigators that may also need to be done. You may have to pay for these services up front or reimburse the firm upon remittance of a bill. These types of fees can be costly, and a law firm does not want to be out this much money necessarily.
Deciding to hire a personal injury attorney may be a good idea, especially for trying to get reimbursed for your loss.
Source: Personal Injury Lawyer Miami, FL, Needle & Ellenberg, P.A.