Did someone else cause your vehicle accident in Atlanta, Georgia, through some negligent actions? Then, you are entitled to compensation for your bodily injuries and property damage, if any, so you should consult an Atlanta car accident lawyer.
When pursuing personal injury claims, understanding auto accident attorney fees is crucial, as these fees are typically contingent upon the successful resolution of your case. Unfortunately, you’ll go through a stressful and complicated claims process.
Generally, after a successful insurance claims process, you will receive a reasonable settlement amount. If your attorney filed a lawsuit on your behalf, there’s a possibility for higher compensation amounts. As a result, you wouldn’t have to spend your money on expenses that someone else’s carelessness caused.
Furthermore, when dealing with an auto accident injury lawyer, it’s essential to communicate with your own insurance company to ensure that all aspects of your coverage are utilized and to support your claim for compensation.
However, many victims of car crashes sometimes opt out of hiring a qualified lawyer because they’re afraid of the costs. The truth is that getting an attorney isn’t so much of a financial threat as you may think. We’ll give you a guide to determining your auto accident attorney fees in this article.
How Does a Car Accident Lawyer Charge Their Professional Fees in Atlanta?
Your attorney’s fees will likely be charged per hour if you have a criminal defense case. However, for personal injury matters, many of them will work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they’ll only accept payment when you win the case and receive the settlement sum.
That is, your auto accident lawyer’s fee is contingent on the success of the case. You won’t pay anything if you don’t win the case.
Sometimes, the lawyer may ask you to pay a few costs in a contingency fee arrangement also sometimes called contingency fee agreements. For example, you may only be responsible for filing fees in court, or your attorney may foot all the bills initially and get you to pay when you win.
These bills include:
- Filing fees
- Medical records expenses
- Expert witness fees
- Travel expenses
- Police reports
- Court reporter services
- Postage, etc.
If you have any concerns, be sure to voice them out immediately. Also, always seek clarification if you don’t understand any part of the agreement. Contingency fee arrangements only apply to claimants or plaintiffs, not defendants in an auto accident case.
Essential Points to Note About Contingency Fees
These are the vital points to understand before you negotiate professional fees with your attorney:
Must Be Reasonable
The State Bar of Georgia expects personal injury and auto accident lawyers to charge reasonable fees. The reasonableness of a lawyer’s fees will depend on factors like the attorney’s experience/reputation, time constraints, and the amount involved. It may also vary depending on the time and labor required, length of professional relationship with clients, etc.
Must Be in Writing
The State Bar of Georgia also mandates that contingency fee contracts must be in writing. Again, the written agreement must include the method used in calculating the fees at each stage of the claim. It should also specify deductible expenses and whether the professional fee calculations come before or after deductions.
Can Vary
Contingency fees vary per personal injury attorney or law firm. However, Atlanta personal injury attorneys typically charge between 30% to 40% of your settlement sum, depending on specific factors. Generally, though, most lawyers will settle for 33.3% as the standard fee for insurance settlement claims.
Can Be Negotiated
You can negotiate your contingency fees. So, if you’re not comfortable with what your attorneys are charging, talk to them about your concerns. That’s especially when your accident case is straightforward and wouldn’t require too much time and effort.
How Does a Contingency Fee Arrangement Benefit Me?
A contingency fee agreement offers you more advantages than it does the accident lawyer. As such, it’s a much more convenient arrangement for you, especially when you compare it with flat or upfront fees.
You Get To Focus on Your Recovery Fully
Car accidents lead to devastating consequences. Unfortunately, pursuing a compensation claim while undergoing treatment can cause you extra mental stress. With a contingency fee agreement, you don’t have to think about paying your attorney. This puts your mind at peace and ensures that you’re in the right mental frame to recover quickly.
Little or No Financial Risks
When it comes to fixed payments, you can lose your money if you don’t win your case. Fortunately, losing your money isn’t the case when you have a contingency fee agreement with your lawyers. You lose nothing if you don’t win, and you gain so much if you do.
You’re More Likely To Receive Maximum Compensation
If your attorney agrees to payment via a contingency fee percentage for your personal injury lawsuit, it automatically means that you will likely win your case. That’s because lawyers understand that their fees depend entirely on the case’s outcome. As such, they wouldn’t want to take up a bad case.
Why Do I Need an Auto Accident Lawyer?
It can be tempting to think that hiring a personal injury lawyer is an unnecessary expense. The truth, however, is that hiring an attorney well versed in personal injury law is always vital to get the damages that you deserve. Without a lawyer, your chances of maximum compensation will decline drastically.
We don’t recommend handling your car accident case without a personal injury attorney’s help:
- Auto collision cases can take a different turn quite quickly. Only an experienced lawyer knows what to do in such situations.
- Insurance companies typically don’t like to play fair and may offer low compensation. You wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with the insurance adjusters’ ploys with a lawyer by your side.
- From gathering evidence to carrying out investigations and speaking with witnesses, an attorney will build a solid case for you. They’ll tie all loose ends and boost your claim’s chances of success.
- Your car accident lawyer can calculate your compensation amount and let you know what to expect from the get-go. That way, they know precisely what your case deserves and wouldn’t accept anything less.
- If your case goes to court, your injury lawyers will leverage their experience and knowledge to give you top-notch representation. They’ll also ensure that you meet the legal requirements for a personal injury case.
Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers Immediately
Did you sustain injuries in an auto collision in Atlanta, Georgia? If you answered yes and are an auto accident injury victim, you could get maximum compensation to cover your losses. Our experienced car accident attorneys will ensure that.
At The Weinstein Law Firm, our goal is for you to have access to justice regardless of your financial capabilities. That’s why we won’t take a dime from you unless we win your case. So, call us immediately to book a free consultation with a competent Atlanta personal injury lawyer. We are available round the clock to listen to you.
Understanding Legal Fees and Cost Structures
Many injury victims worry about the cost of hiring a personal injury attorney. Fortunately, most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer’s fee is a percentage of the recovery amount. In Atlanta, personal injury attorneys typically charge between 30% to 40% of the settlement.
The contingency fee structure means you won’t pay any attorney fees unless your car accident case is successful. This approach makes it easier for car accident victims to seek legal representation without worrying about upfront costs.
However, it’s essential to understand all potential costs associated with your car accident case. Beyond the contingency fee, additional fees may include filing fees, expert witness costs, and court costs. Some law firms may also charge for expenses such as medical records retrieval, travel, and postage. Always ask your car accident lawyer to explain these potential costs upfront.
Benefits of Hiring an Experienced Auto Accident Attorney
Hiring an experienced car accident lawyer provides numerous benefits. They can help you navigate the complex car accident claims process and fight for a fair settlement. Lawyers that specialize in car accidents have the expertise to handle negotiations with the insurance company representing the at-fault party.
This can be crucial, as insurance companies often try to minimize payouts. An experienced personal injury attorney will ensure that your personal injury claim includes all applicable damages, such as medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Moreover, a car accident lawyer can handle the legal paperwork and deadlines associated with your case. If your case goes to court, your lawyer will provide legal representation and handle the litigation process.
Different Payment Arrangements for Your Car Accident Attorney
While most car accident lawyers charge on a contingency fee, there are other payment arrangements. Some lawyers may offer flat fees for specific services, such as drafting legal documents or providing a consultation. Others might charge an hourly fee, especially for complex car accident cases that require extensive work.
It’s essential to discuss the payment arrangement with your lawyer and understand how they will charge for their services, whether it will be a contingency fee, flat fee basis, or hourly based.
In some instances, a law firm may offer a combination of payment structures to satisfy the attorney’s fee to acquire their legal services. For example, they might charge a flat fee for initial consultations and then move to a contingency fee arrangement for the remainder of the case.
This flexibility can be beneficial, depending on the specifics of your auto accident case. This hybrid of flat fee and contingency fee contracts are very common way that lawyers charge for comprehensive legal services.
Conclusion
Navigating the aftermath of a car accident can be challenging, but hiring a car accident lawyer can significantly improve your chances to successfully recover compensation. Whether you’re dealing with severe injuries or minor accidents, an experienced attorney can help you navigate the legal system, handle insurance companies, and ensure you receive fair compensation.
Understanding the cost structures and benefits of hiring a car accident lawyer can help you make the best decision for your situation. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to seek a free consultation to discuss your case and explore your legal options.
