After an accident caused by someone’s negligence, you may have the right to seek economic and non-economic damages by filing a personal injury claim. However, many people do not actually collect anything, or get a very small settlement amount. This is because they decided to fight the legal battle on their own, instead of hiring an experienced Columbus personal injury attorney.
Their main concern is usually not being able to afford a lawyer. So let us discuss this matter in detail to show that any person with a valid claim can retain skilled legal counsel.
Most Personal Injury Lawyers Offer a Free Case Evaluation
So, you may or may not have a valid claim. Does this mean that you have to pay the consultation fee just to find out that you may not recover damages? The answer is no. Most attorneys offer new clients a free case evaluation.
They understand that it is not fair to charge fees when there is nothing they can do to help the person, who is already burdened by medical care costs. The free case review is your opportunity to know the truth.
Also, even if you have a valid claim, you are under no obligation to hire the lawyer.
Practitioners of Personal Injury Law Work on a Contingency Fee Basis
Let us assume that you were impressed with the way the attorney explained your chances of winning compensation and decide to hire them. At this point, you surely have to come up with legal fees.
Again, the answer is no. Most personal injury lawyers across the U.S. work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not have to pay any upfront fees. When your case is settled and you obtain the compensation amount, the lawyer will retain a percentage of it. This is the contingency fee and it usually ranges between 33% and 45% of the settlement amount.
The Lawyer Gets Paid Only If They Win Your Case
Now, let us consider this scenario: despite the fact that you appear to have a solid case, the attorney does not manage to win damages. Does this mean that you have to pay their fee out of pocket?
No, you do not. The lawyer will not make any money if they cannot win your claim. This is why legal counsels analyze the available evidence carefully before accepting the case. Thus, scenarios when you lose the claim are extremely rare.
Factors Affecting the Contingency Fee Percentage
Let us discuss now how lawyers determine the value of the contingency fee. Here are some key considerations:
1. The Lawyer’s Experience
An experienced attorney is more likely to win a case than one who has recently joined the profession. So, the key aspect is the same as when you decide to hire any professional. If you want a skilled specialist, you accept that you will pay more.
Considering that the average value of a personal injury claim is in the range of tens of thousands of dollars, you should not hire the legal counsel with the lowest fee. If you want to recover your damages, you should hire an experienced Columbus personal injury attorney.
2. The Complexity of Your Case
Some personal injury cases are difficult to prove. There may be little physical evidence to support your claim. Witnesses may not be sure about what they saw and heard. In this case, the lawyer will need to work hard to win your claim.
This often involves checking the accident scene, finding records and doing detective work to prove the other party’s negligence. This is both exhausting and time consuming. Thus, the attorney deserves fair compensation for their work.
3. The Resources Needed to Win Your Claim
In the most difficult cases, personal injury lawyers will have to hire expert witnesses or even travel to talk to eyewitnesses. In the process, they will incur pocket expenses. These expenses will be added to the total fee the attorney will collect at the end of the case.
Schedule a Free Consultation with an Experienced Columbus Personal Injury Lawyer!
If someone’s negligence resulted in an accident which caused injuries and economic damages, let Joe Durham Jr., P.C and his legal team help you. We have extensive experience in negotiations with insurers and in court and know how to evaluate the merits of a case correctly.
Reach out to us as soon as possible after your accident and schedule a free case review at 229-210-6226!
