Contingent On Personal Injury Success

You've probably heard the advertisements for lawyers who promise that they won't get paid until you do. Though it might sound a bit misleading, this way of paying your legal fees is the least-stressful way to pay for professional legal help. Read on to find out more about contingency fee arrangements with your personal injury lawyer.

No Fees Unless You Win

With this type of payment arrangement, legal fee payment is contingent on a successful case. If you enter into a contingency fee arrangement with a lawyer, they won't charge you any fees unless your case is either settled. That also means that if you don't win, you will owe the lawyer nothing. Therefore, you have nothing to lose with a contingency fee arrangement.

Dealing With the Personal Injury Lawyer

If you have been injured in a car accident, seek medical help and contact a lawyer as soon as possible. Not all accident cases are good cases. The value of your case depends on several factors and your lawyer will need to review your information. They may ask to see the accident or police report, a summary of your medical treatments so far, and for any other valuable evidence about the case.

Understanding Fault

If you were at fault for the accident, even by a little, you may not have a case worth pursuing. Fault is very important and if the other side is not admitting fault, you may need to prove it. That requires proof that has to be gathered and the way the accident happened investigated.

Fees Based on a Percentage

Contingency personal injury lawyers base their fees on a percentage of your winning compensation. That payment will likely come from a settlement rather than a court case. The actual percentage point varies from location to location and it may be more for experienced lawyers. It can be anywhere from 20% to 40% or more. You and the lawyer will come to an agreement on fees and on what the fees cover. Your potential settlement may come down to the answers to these questions:

  1. Who was at fault?
  2. Is the other driver insured and how much insurance do they have?
  3. How serious are your injuries?
  4. Are eye-witnesses, photographs, medical records, and more available?

Speak to a personal injury attorney as soon as you are able. They will contact the insurer and begin negotiations for a settlement agreement. Don't wait while valuable evidence is lost, take action soon.


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