- April 20, 2022
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a car accident lawyer can help you fight the insurance company and get the reimbursement you deserve. It’s very common for people who have been wounded in a vehicle accident to worry about how much it will cost and whether or not they can afford it. A Baton Rouge, LA auto accident lawyer, is here to help you in the time of your need.
The Role of a Car Accident Lawyer:
A personal injury lawyer, another term for a car accident attorney, protects people who have been injured in car accidents and works to get them the maximum financial compensation they deserve. Any damages you have incurred due to another driver’s negligence must be compensated for financially. This includes medical bills, car damage, lost wages, pain and suffering, and mental anguish. A car accident lawyer might obtain compensation from the negligent driver and their insurance company.
The most common sort of personal injury litigation is a car collision. In the United States, more than 2.74 million persons were wounded in car accidents in 2019. The reimbursement offered by auto insurance companies is often less than what victims are entitled to. Instead, they strive to get you to accept the lowest possible settlement sum.
Keep insurance companies from exploiting you by hiring a car accident lawyer during this stressful time. A Baton Rouge, LA auto accident lawyer will work with insurance adjusters on your behalf to ensure that you get the reimbursement you deserve. You might expect your car accident lawyer to take the insurance company to court and have a trial if they refuse to pay you what you are owed.
Cost of a Baton Rouge, LA Auto Accident Lawyer:
Rather than charging an hourly rate, most automobile accident lawyers accept personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee, your lawyer only gets paid if they successfully litigate your case for you. When you get your settlement or award, your attorney costs are reduced by the percentage in the power of attorney contract.
The term “contingency fee” refers to a fee structure where your lawyer is only compensated if your case is successful. If you win your case in court, your lawyer will take a share of your settlement or judgment instead of charging you an hourly fee or retainer.
The lawyer won’t take the contingency fee payment until after they’ve secured compensation for you. This fee structure is commonly used in personal injury, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases.
Average Contingency Fee Rates:
Contingency fee agreements allow personal injury lawyers to get between 25% and 40% of a settlement, but the most frequent percentage is 33% (or one-third). If you win a $90,000 vehicle accident claim on a 33% contingency fee basis, your lawyer will get around $30,000 in fees.
Whether a personal injury lawsuit against the other motorist is necessary, the percentage of a contingency fee may change. The proportion may be lower if the case is settled before trial. However, if the case proceeds to trial and a jury verdict is obtained, the attorney’s percentage may increase by 40%.
Suppose that you obtain a $90,000 settlement from the other driver’s insurance company. Again, the lawyer would receive $30,000 in compensation (33 percent). If your agreement allows the attorney to collect 40% of the recovery and the case ends in a $90,000 jury verdict. In this scenario, the lawyer may be able to recuperate $36,000.
It is crucial to discuss the contingency fee structure with your attorney and thoroughly review your legal services agreement’s provisions. Consult your attorney if you have any questions about the fee arrangement specified in the contract.
Additionally, like with everything else in a contract, the charge can be negotiated. You may be able to reduce your contingent fee if you have a “cut and dry” case in which the defendant is plainly at fault for the automobile accident, your losses are apparent, the defendant carries adequate insurance, and there is sufficient evidence to support your claims.
Are There Any Additional Costs?
Along with attorney fees, you may be required to pay some “case expenses.” These fees cover the attorney’s administrative and other costs associated with handling your case.
Typical case expenses include the following:
- Postage expenses associated with collecting medical records
- Fees for court appearances
- Fees for expert witnesses
- Fees for court reporters
Numerous vehicle accident attorneys will advance case expenditures and then deduct them from your final recovery. It is critical to note that while case expenditures are additional to attorney fees, they will not be removed from a contingency fee as they would be from a retainer. This means that you will be responsible for the entire contingency fee and any case expenses owed.
Why Do I Need a Car Accident Lawyer?
If you’ve been wounded in a car accident, you should immediately contact an experienced car accident attorney to ensure that the insurance companies pay you what you’re entitled to. When you retain the services of a personal injury attorney, they notify the insurance company that they will be handling your case moving ahead.
The sooner you employ a vehicle accident attorney, the better, not just to keep the insurance companies in check but also because obtaining evidence for your case can be lengthy. Doctors and hospitals may be unwilling to give required medical documents or be too busy to respond swiftly to demands. If you were unable to work and consequently lost pay, your attorney will need to speak with your employer. In some instances, an expert witness with a technical understanding of the relevant topic may be required.
Due to the complexity of this process, the sooner you retain an attorney, the sooner you will be able to get compensation for your injuries. Book a free consultation session with a Baton Rouge, LA personal injury lawyer from our website. We will provide practical assistance to all our clients to collect the maximum compensation allowed by law.