How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in an accident and need legal representation, you are going to have questions concerning the cost of a personal injury attorney. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis which means that clients only pay the attorney if he or she is successful at negotiating a monetary settlement with the defendant or is able to win a judgement if the case goes to trial. Most contingency fees run between 33% to 40%.

If you win your case, you’ll be responsible for any expenses that your attorney incurred while preparing your case such as filing fees, expert witness and investigators fees, and depositions. How much of the settlement goes to the attorney depends upon if you go to settlement before filing a lawsuit or afterwards.

The settlement phase

The majority of personal injury cases don’t end up going to trial. They’re usually resolved early on in the litigation process before filing a lawsuit through a negotiated settlement between the victim, his or her attorney, the insurance companies involved, and the defendant. Contingency fee percentages for cases settled before a lawsuit is filed are usually no more than 33% of the settlement.

However, if the case cannot be resolved through a negotiated settlement, and based upon the strength of your case, your attorney may advise you to file a lawsuit. If your settlement occurs after filing a lawsuit, your attorney may be permitted to receive a higher percentage, around 40%, of the settlement.

In most cases, the settlement check will be sent directly to your attorney to ensure that he or she is paid in full for all legal services rendered. You will be then be contacted and presented with an accounting of the amount that will be deducted from the check.

Working together to win your personal injury case

While it’s true that costs and expenses may be high in a personal injury case in which a settlement is not reached until the end of a trial, what is the cost of not hiring an attorney?Personal injury cases can be complicated, especially when it comes to determining liability.

The insurance company that you’re making a claim against is going to do everything it can to discourage you from hiring a personal injury lawyer. Based on a study conducted by the Insurance Research Council, the average person receives a settlement that is about 3.5 times larger when he or she has enlisted the services of a personal injury attorney than without one.

If you need the services of a personal injury attorney, Los Angeles personal injury attorney, Greg Yates, offers his clients personalized, compassionate advice and counsel and will work tirelessly on your behalf to achieve the best possible settlement for you. Greg Yates has one of the highest success rates when it comes to winning settlements in California and has a reputation for securing the best possible monetary awards for his clients.

Contact our office to schedule your free consultation.