On Behalf of Simon & Gilman, LLP | May 16, 2022 | Personal Injury |
If you recently sustained an injury in an accident as a result of someone else’s neglect, you may be able to obtain compensation for your suffering.
This applies whether you were one of the many involved in a car accident or slipped and fell on someone’s property. You may be hesitant to commit to seeking recompense because of the perceived cost of employing legal counsel. However, you do not have to have money in hand to hire a personal injury lawyer.
A contingency fee basis
Most personal injury attorneys charge their clients on a contingency fee basis. This means you do not pay any money upfront, and you do not owe any money unless you win. The lawyer takes a percentage of any recovered from the insurance company, received from a settlement or awarded in court. During the process, the attorney may or may not also cover necessary expenses such as police reports and filing fees. Depending on the attorney, you may receive a bill for these expenses or they may end up deducted from what you win. It is important to clarify with the attorney how he or she handles these costs.
The percentage
The value of the contingency fee varies from lawyer to lawyer. It may also change based on whether you settle out of court or not. It is not uncommon for the contingency fee to be 30% or 40%, but there is no set rule. Verify what you are agreeing to before proceeding.
With a personal injury attorney, you generally do not need to worry about hours or a big retainer fee. In most cases, you only pay if you win, so you may be able to afford the help you need even if you do not have a lot of money.
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