Personal Injury Lawyer - Choosing the Right Attorney
If you have been hurt in a car accident, but are not sure whether you need to speak to an lawyer because you fear paying for litigation, you may be surprised to learn out that most personal injury attorneys will review your case with no, or limited upfront cost.
No Charge Initial Consultation
Most personal injury lawyers charge no fees for the first meeting, or consultation. This will give you an opportunity to meet with the attorney, explain the situation, and determine his take as to whether or not you have a legitimate case. Although you may want to know how much your claim is “worth”, most lawyers won’t give you a value on the case, because so many things are so unpredictable.
What is a Contingent Fee?
Most personal injury attorneys will usually take a legitimate claim on a contingency fee arrangement. What this means, is that you do not need to pay the attorney any money up front. The attorney will collect his or her fees to the liable party, or their insurance company, only when he recovers any money for you. If there’s no recovery in your claim, you won’t owe any legal fees. If you do negotiate a settlement or receive court ordered damages, the lawyer then charges an agreed percentage amount of your total settlement for legal compensation. The exact percentage you will be charged could usually differ among lawyers, and might be set in some states, but likely you will pay anything from 1/3 (33.3%) to 40% for legal fees, should you gain an award.
Legal Fees
By law, as well as the legal code of ethics, all lawyers have to bill you for any costs incurred while pursuing your claim. Such expenses will include: law enforcement reports, doctors notes, court reporter fees, and much more. Once again, lawyers have different procedures as to how they are reimbursed for these expenses. Some may pay them as they are billed, and then reduce the amount of your settlement. Others will bill these costs periodically as the matter proceeds.
Every attorney will have a client - attorney agreement which must spell out both sides obligation. You should be sure that you carefully review the agreement prior to retaining any lawyer.
Harry S. Bernstein has been representing personal injury victims and workers compensation clients as an experienced Cleveland, Ohio attorney for twenty years. Please visit our Cleveland, Ohio attorney site to find out more information regarding your legal rights.
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