Have you recently been in an accident?
If you have, you know the hassle of dealing with costs that come later. Often, there are expensive car repairs and medical bills to pay, and you might not know how to afford it all.
If you're struggling, you're not alone. In fact, many people who have been in a car accident seek compensation by hiring a car accident attorney.
But how much do car accident lawyers near me charge? After all, you don't want to pay exorbitant fees for an attorney on top of your other expenditures.
If you're thinking, "Can I afford a car accident lawyer?" keep reading to learn more!
What Do Car Accident Lawyers Do?
Before we go into the price of auto accident legal fees, let's define what a car accident attorney does.
Car accident attorneys stand by the side of people who have suffered severe damages, including to themselves or their property. They make sure responsible parties pay an appropriate and agreed upon amount to their client, helping them cover the extent of their injuries.
But can't people just get compensation through insurance?
Ideally, insurance policies would pay enough money to cover the costs of everyone's damages. Yet, this isn't always the case. That's why many people turn to car accident lawyers. They want to be able to get the money they're really owed, not just what the insurance companies give them.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?
So, how much do car accident lawyers charge?
In truth, it varies from attorney to attorney (or law firm to law firm). Different factors play into the final price of your lawyer, but there are certain guidelines that will give you an idea of the final cost.
If you want an exact price or a closer estimate, though, we recommend contacting different attorneys and asking about their prices.
Let's go into some of the different charges you may need to consider below!
The Contingency Percentage
This is one of the most straightforward ways attorneys get paid for helping you through your car accident case. When you hire a personal injury lawyer who uses contingency percentages, they'll only get paid if they succeed at helping you recover money. This is known as a contingency percentage.
The contingency percentage will be taken out of your overall winnings. Most contingency percentages hover between 25%-40%.
Retainers Plus Contingency Percentages
Some attorneys charge retainer fees to begin your case. They do this to make sure they receive some compensation for their work whether or not they win your case.
These attorneys usually also collect contingency percentages if they earn you winnings.
Hourly Payments
For people who only need a limited amount of lawyer work, hourly payments are a fantastic option.
When people use the hourly payment option, they hire an attorney for an agreed-upon amount of work and pay them by the hour. This might get expensive if the required number of hours are extensive, however.
Flat Fee Agreements
Flat fee agreements function similarly to hourly payments.
Instead of being paid on an hourly basis, though, the attorney accepts a specific amount of work. In return, the client pays a flat fee to the lawyer.
Like the hourly option, this isn't ideal for people who need extensive legal work. Flat rate and hourly fees cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Need Legal Help?
If you've asked, "How much do car accident lawyers charge?" chances are, you need an attorney to help you regain the cost of damages you suffered in an accident.
While the final price of a lawyer varies, the amount you could earn far outweighs the price of your attorney. Still, you should be prepared to pay contingency percentages, retainers, hourly payments, or flat fee agreements depending on your arrangement with your attorney.
Need legal representation in your car accident case? Get a free evaluation today!
