A Georgia car accident lawyer representing the injured understands many things. When you have been involved in a car accident, are undergoing medical treatment, and are having trouble dealing with a company, the last thing you need is your lawyer constantly invoicing you for various expenses.
The vast majority of personal injury cases are taken on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay once you’ve received your compensation.
Whenever you are looking for a car accident lawyer following a traffic accident, here are the most significant facts to consider:
- Traffic accident attorneys often use “contingency fee” agreements, which means their fees are a percentage of the settlement or the compensation awarded by a jury.
- Before paying any costs or expenses, read the fine print of the agreement.
- When you are involved in a car accident, an experienced car accident lawyer can make all the difference in the final verdict of your case.
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports that there were 385,221 accidents in 2015 in Georgia. It represents an increase of 15 percent over 2014’s record of 333,963.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
Contingent fees are fees given to your Georgia car accident lawyer only if your case is successful. Instead of charging an hourly rate or retainer, your lawyer takes a percentage of your award whether it is negotiated or paid. There are only a few areas of law in which contingencies are allowed. Lawyers often use a contingency fee in cases such as wrongful death, workers’ compensation, and personal injury cases.
Your lawyer is only paid if they are able to win the case, so they have every incentive to work towards a favorable outcome regardless of your ability to pay. In addition to allowing you to hire a lawyer regardless of your financial situation, the contingency fee also aligns your interests with those of your lawyer.
The American Bar Association states that the average contingency fee for most injury issues, including automobile accidents, is between 33 and 40%. Your chances of receiving that amount vary depending on both your lawyer and how critical is your accident.
Your commissions are likely to be closer to 33%, sometimes even as low as 30% in cases where the problem is quickly resolved through talks with the insurance company. This percentage usually increases when your case goes to trial.
When you speak to a lawyer for a free consultation, you should request a written fee agreement that states clearly the solicitor’s fees, including the percentage that may be affected.
Other Costs
Some advertisements for contingency cases might promote the fact that there are no lawyer fees unless you win the case. This is really how this functions. However, it may still seem too good to be true.
Taking a deposition, for instance, requires hiring a court reporter and paying for a transcript. In addition to attorney fees, various costs are associated with advancing a personal injury lawsuit. In a case involving a lot of documents, you may also have to pay for other expenses such as copying, printing, and postage.
If you hire an expert witness, you could easily end up spending thousands of dollars. In most cases, these costs can also be deducted from your recovery if your lawsuit is successful.
When Should I Contact a Georgia Auto Accident Lawyer?
A motor vehicle accident attorney is the first person to call after you see a doctor subsequent to being involved in a car accident. Insurance companies will try and lure you to accept lowball settlement offers right after an accident. Even before they know the extent of their injuries and the costs they will incur, victims who have still not recovered from their accident accept these low indemnities.
Insurance companies are money-making entities that only care about their profitability rather than compensating their customers fairly. Your road accident attorney will handle all communications with the insurance company on your behalf.
A personal injury lawyer with a lot of experience knows everything the insurance companies know about your claim and the accurate valuation of your case. To recover the maximum amount of compensation you deserve for your injuries, you need a lawyer who is aggressive and experienced.
Problems That You Should Keep in Mind:
Discount lawyers depend on the volume of cases, as they charge a lower rate than those who charge the industry standard rate. You get what you pay for, so it is important to keep that in mind. A Georgia auto accident lawyer charging a lower rate cannot afford to devote as much time and effort to your case as one charging the standard rate.
Lawyers specializing in traffic accidents often face the following issues:
- Unlike most motor vehicle accident attorneys, discount attorneys usually do not handle property damage cases while other attorneys will take on property damage cases as a courtesy to their injured clients.
- Medical providers and hospitals cannot be negotiated with to reduce your medical bills. Ultimately, auto accident lawsuits are about maximizing your compensation from the at-fault party.
- A contingency fee is meant to cover a lawyer’s risk of anticipating the timing and cost of litigation without any guarantee of outcomes. A lawyer who charges low fees may also be less willing to take such a risk.
- Compared to other lawyers, a lawyer with less experience and unpredictable results will probably have trouble competing on quality.
Call Us:
It is critical to hire a seasoned car accident lawyer right away if you have been injured in a crash. If you hire a Georgia personal injury lawyer first, you have a better chance of successfully recovering compensation. Call us now.
