Recovering from a car accident, both physically and financially, can be a stressful time for anyone. If you’ve been involved in an accident, working with a car accident lawyer from Esquire Law can help alleviate that stress. At Esquire Law, our expertise can lead to the best possible outcome for your case. Of course, you might be wondering, “How much does a car accident lawyer cost?”
The cost of a car accident lawyer can factor down to items such as a lawyer’s contingency percentage to expenses for items for litigation such as medical records or police reports. Continue reading to learn more about the cost a of car accident lawyer.
A Car Accident Lawyer’s Contingency Percentage
The typical way you will be charged is through a contingency fee. What this means as a client is that you will only be charged if your lawyer wins your case. When you win your case, the firm will then receive a percentage from the settlement or award from the court if the case is brought that far.
A typical contingency percentage can range from the low end of 25% to reaching as far as 40% of the settlement. In most cases, firms tend to want to have the 33% as it is a third of the settlement. An example would be if you are given $100,000 in your case settlement, the contingency fee of 33% your attorney would receive is $33,000.
A contingency rate can also be affected by different things. Aspects such as if the case was settled out of court may bring the rate down to a lower amount. On the opposite end, if the defendant gives a formal answer to your complaint or brings the case to trial, the contingency rate may increase. It is important as a client to review your contract when hiring a car accident lawyer to find the specifics when it comes to the cost.
Costs and Expenses In a Car Accident Case
While hiring a car accident lawyer from Esquire Law is extremely beneficial, it does not cover a client from all types of expenses during the litigation. These can be items such as obtaining medical records, police reports, or witness fees.
An example of this would be if you reach a settlement of $100,000 but your attorney accrued expenses from litigation amounting to a total of $10,000; that amount would be taken from your settlement. It is important to know this amount is not baked into the contingency fee.
A good tip is to specify that the contingency fee for your lawyer should be taken from the net settlement as this is the total amount given to you after taking out the expenses from litigation.
Other Forms of Payments for Car Accident Lawyers
Understanding contingency fees and rates is important when seeking out accident lawyers, however, this is not the only method that a firm can charge you when taking over your case. Your case could be charged at an hourly rate, at a flat fee, through a retainer fee, or even through hybrid arrangements.
Hourly Rate
An hourly rate is when your accident lawyer charges by the hour. You should request a good-faith estimate for the amount of time the lawyer will spend on the case. This is usually the best option for you if you only require a small amount of help, such as having another person review a settlement amount given to you by the negligent driver’s insurance company.
Flat Fee
On the other side of the coin, a lawyer could charge you a flat rate. A flat fee arrangement means you’re charged a fixed amount during the entire duration of your case. This is usually allowed to be paid over a payment plan but the firm will insist on an initial payment.
Retainer Fee
A retainer fee arrangement differs, as some attorneys will require their clients to pay a set amount straight away. This means you’ll pay for a set amount of hours and you will be charged for any additional time spent on your case. Payments may also be added regarding what the outcome of your case is.
Hybrid Arrangements
In some cases, your attorney may require a combination of payments. As an example, your attorney could require a flat rate fee to start your case.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Percentage Do Most Injury Lawyers Take?
In most cases, an attorney will take 33% of the total amount in fees, but these can also range from 25% to 40% depending on factors such as what stage the claim is made or how complex the case is. The client will have to pay fees in regards to litigation such as court filing fees. Some attorneys may charge these fees regardless of the outcome.
How Do Car Accident Lawyer Fees Work?
Car accident lawyers have their fees divided into two groups: legal fees and expenses. Fees are contingent, meaning lawyers will collect a percentage of the damages that a client receives. Expenses are items that have to be paid for regarding the court case such as court filing fees. These expenses may be charged by the firm regardless of the outcome of the case.
Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer?
Hiring a car accident lawyer helps maximize your compensation. Attorneys have the expertise to assist with the complexities of the court system while fighting hard to negotiate a fair settlement. As a client, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you trust the team at Esquire Law.
Through data received from Martindale-Nolo, about 50% of unrepresented victims received compensation from the negligent party. However, over 70% of those represented by a lawyer received maximum compensation. On average, represented clients received about $44,000 on average while those not represented only received roughly $14,000 in comparison.
What Is The Benefit Of a Contingency Fee?
The biggest benefit of the contingency fee is that the client will not be stuck with any cost if their case is not won. So in the end, payment only happens for an attorney if the client gets compensated.
What Does the Settlement Payout Process Look Like?
The party that is giving the payout first pays the lawyer. Then the lawyer will hold that amount until they calculate and deduct fees and expenses. After proper deductions are made, the remaining total is given to the client.
Get in Touch for Car Accident Law Services
Dealing with the aftermath of a car accident can lead to a lot of mental strain. Negotiating with insurance companies and the at-fault parties all take a toll.
Hiring a car accident lawyer from Esquire Law helps to alleviate the stress from this situation. Our years of experience help assess the circumstances of your accident, gather the necessary information and evidence for your case, and negotiate with the insurance companies to get the most compensation available.
A car accident lawyer will also provide the necessary representation if your case has to be taken to court. The expertise of the firm will help protect your rights and ensure that you receive fair compensation for your losses. Drivers in both Arizona and Utah who have been involved in an accident should seek out an expert from Esquire Law; feel at peace knowing we’ll fight for the compensation you deserve. Call for your free case evaluation today.