Car accident victims are often advised to get help from a Georgia automobile accident lawyer in seeking compensation. Doing so ensures that insurance companies don’t take advantage of them and that they get what they really deserve. However, many people are hesitant to seek legal representation since they assume they can’t afford it. Opting not to get an attorney leaves victims vulnerable to insurance adjusters who act in their employers’ best interests. What many people don’t know is that most car accident lawyers operate on a contingency fee basis. If you want to see how you may be able to afford a Georgia auto accident attorney, read on.
How a Contingency Fee Works
Under this arrangement, your lawyer will agree to represent you with the understanding that you won’t pay until you recover damages. This may mean settling a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or winning a lawsuit. When an attorney agrees to these terms, it means they will work hard on your case. They won’t get paid unless they secure a favorable outcome for you. Therefore, they will do everything they can to help you.
In Georgia, you will typically have to pay your attorney around 33 percent of the amount you receive in damages. However, if the case never reaches the stage of filing a lawsuit, you may pay just a 25 percent fee. If the case goes to court but a settlement is reached before trial, the fee will be about 33 percent. In situations where the case goes all the way to trial, the fee may be as high 40 percent. This reflects the amount of work your attorney has to do on your behalf.
While you won’t have to pay your lawyer upfront, you still need to be clear on how costs will be handled. Usually, costs associated with your claim are absorbed by the lawyer as they arise. This amount is then deducted from your award along with the contingency fee. These costs include expert witness fees, court costs, filing fees, and other expenses. Sometimes lawyers absorb some of these costs. To be sure, ask your Albany accident lawyer about which costs you’ll have to bear.
Why You Need to Hire a Georgia Automobile Accident Lawyer
Since you won’t get to keep your full settlement, you may wonder if you really need to hire a lawyer. You may think that handling the case yourself is the best option. While you have the right to represent yourself, this isn’t recommended. Car accident lawyers have lots of experience with cases similar to yours and they understand all the issues surrounding insurance claims. Legal matters are often complicated. If you don’t know the relevant rules and regulations, you won’t be able to help yourself.
If you want the best chance of getting full and fair compensation, it’s best to have a lawyer on your side. Insurance companies rarely treat accident victims fairly if they can get away with paying a low settlement. However, an experienced lawyer will know all the tactics insurers use, and they will know how to respond. If negotiations fail to produce a fair settlement, they can represent you in court. Few car accident victims are familiar with courtroom procedures.
You should definitely consider hiring a lawyer if:
- You suffered serious injuries, or someone died in the crash
- You can’t work because of your injuries or you’ll need long-term care
- The accident involved multiple parties
- The accident involved an uninsured driver
- Some time has passed since the accident
- Settlement negotiations are coming up
Car accident victims who have attorneys are more likely to get full and fair compensation. Even though you will have to pay your lawyer, you’ll be doing so with a higher settlement.
Reach Out to Joe Durham Jr., P.C. Today for Advice and Representation
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, you should seek legal advice from our experienced team. Not only is there no need for an upfront payment, but we offer a free initial consultation. This means you have nothing to lose by calling us and setting up a meeting. If you decide to hire one of our accident attorneys in Georgia, you won’t have to pay right away. Call us to discuss your case. We’ll look at the facts and tell you what’s the most likely outcome in your case. We’ll also help you to understand the various options you have for getting compensation. Don’t delay in seeking legal advice.
