Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney: What To Know
Dealing with legal matters of any kind can be intimidating for most people. If you've gained most of your legal knowledge by reading John Grisham novels and watching television dramas, you might be in for an awakening. Accident victims like yourself must not rely upon their own resources but should, instead, hire a legal professional to help them with their case. Read to find out how to go about hiring a personal injury attorney to help you with your case.
Do You Need an Attorney?
Not all situations call for legal help, but personal injury attorneys are happy to have a look at your case and provide you with an evaluation. Often offered free of charge, this first consultation allows you to have an expert take a look at the facts of your accident case and advise you on how to move forward. If you have a high amount of medical expenses and other losses, taking legal action is often the only way to ensure you are fully paid for all the ways the accident has affected your life. If the attorney agrees to represent you, fees will be discussed.
The Facts of Your Case
During the consultation, the attorney will review the information you've provided in an effort to further evaluate your case. The attorney may, or may not, provide you with a dollar figure that you are entitled to receive during the first meeting. The amount you ask for is based on your medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and much more. You can trust your attorney to skillfully calculate what you are owed by the at-fault driver and to negotiate to get it for you.
The Contingency Fee Agreement
The attorney who wants to take on your case would not do so unless there was a financial incentive. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they only get paid if they win your case or your case settles. The attorney will present you with a contract that contains the specifics of the fee agreement. Attorneys that provide contingency fee payment options get paid a certain percentage of the compensation you receive, either by a court judgment or by a settlement agreement. The percentage varies depending on the area you live and the complexity of your case. The agreement will also spell out what legal services are included. You might find that cases that go to trial incur a higher contingency fee due to the extra work required by the attorney. Additionally, legal fees and miscellaneous expenses may be extra.
Speak to an attorney, such as an auto accident attorney, to learn more.
