Personal Injury Lawyer - Choosing the Right Lawyer
If you have been injured in a car accident, but don’t know whether you need to speak to an lawyer because you fear paying for litigation, you may be surprised to learn out that many personal injury attorneys will take on your case with no, or minimal upfront fees.
No Fee First Meeting
Many personal injury attorneys will not charge fees for the first meeting, or consultation. This should give you an opportunity to meet with the attorney, explain the situation, and determine his opinion as to whether or not you have a legitimate case. Although you may want to determine what your claim is valued at, most lawyers will not give you a value on the case, due to the fact that so many things are so unpredictable.
What is a Contingency Fee Arrangement
Many personal injury lawyers will generally take a valid case on a contingent fee basis. 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 party at fault, or their insurance company, only if he gains an award for the client. If there’s no recovery in your case, you won’t owe any attorney fees. When you do arrange a settlement or receive a court ordered award, the lawyer then charges a percentage of the total settlement for legal compensation. The specific percentage you will be charged could generally differ among attorneys, and can be set in many jurisdictions, but likely you will pay anywhere from 1/3 (33.3%) to 40% to the attorney, should you win an compensation.
Legal Expenses
Under the law, as well as the legal code of ethics, all attorneys must bill you for all costs spent while pursuing your matter. Such costs will include: police reports, doctors notes, court reporter fees, and much more. Once again, attorneys differ as to how they recover these costs. Some may pay the expenses as they are billed, and then deduct them from your award. Others will bill these expenses monthly as the claim proceeds.
Each lawyer will have a client - attorney contract which should spell out each sides rights and responsibilities. You should be sure that you closely review the contract prior to retaining any attorney.
Harry S. Bernstein has been representing personal injury victims and workers compensation clients as an experienced Cleveland, Ohio attorney for several years. Be sure to visit our Cleveland, Ohio attorney website to find out more information regarding your legal rights.
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