After a serious accident, many hesitate to seek legal help because of concerns about attorney fees. It’s a common misconception that hiring a personal injury lawyer is expensive, or that it requires upfront payment. However, more often than not, personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis — which means they only get paid if they win your case.
Understanding the costs of acquiring a Florida personal injury lawyer can help accident victims make more informed decisions about their legal options. Here’s what you need to know about how much a personal injury lawyer in Pompano Beach can cost, what contingency fees are, and which factors affect legal fees.
Common Fee Structures for Lawyers
Personal injury lawyers tend to use different fee structures depending on the type of case they’re working on and the law firm’s policies. Some of the most common ways lawyers charge for their services include an hourly fee, flat fee, and contingency fees.
Hourly Fees
Some attorneys charge by the hour, but it is rare in personal injury cases. Clients must pay up front and continue to pay as the case progresses. Most accident victims are unable to afford the hourly fee.
Flat Fees
This is a fixed amount charged for legal services. Flat fees are more common for non-litigation cases, like when legal documents need to be drafted. This structure is not typically used for personal injury claims, as these cases can vary in complexity.
Contingency Fees
With this structure, a lawyer is only paid if they win the case or are able to secure a settlement. Instead of upfront charges, they take a percentage of the final settlement. This fee arrangement allows injury victims to receive the help they need without financial risk.
A contingency fee just means that what an attorney will be paid is dependent on the outcome of the case. If the case ends up unsuccessful, then the client will not owe the lawyer any fees. There is no retainer or hourly payment.
How Much Is a Contingency Fee?
A contingency fee will typically range from 33% to upwards of 40% of the final settlement or court award. This depends on a variety of factors, from case complexity to attorney experience.
Case Complexity
Simple cases involving minor injuries and clear liability often settle quicker and result in lower fees. On the other hand, more complex cases with catastrophic injuries and multiple liable parties can require extensive legal work and result in higher fees.
Severity of Injuries
Minor injuries will usually lead to lower settlements and simpler cases. If you have a severe injury, your case may require medical experts, consideration of long-term treatment, and higher settlements, which can impact legal fees.
Settlement vs. Trial
If a case ends early, legal fees generally remain in the lower range. If a case goes to court, there is more effort and time involved, which can increase the fees.
Attorney Fees From Experience
The experience of the lawyer may impact fees, as well as the case outcome and the settlement itself. Less experienced attorneys may offer lower fees but lack negotiation power against insurance companies.
Communicating with your attorney from the beginning and getting a clear understanding of what to expect as far as fees are concerned is crucial.
Additional Costs and Expenses in a Personal Injury Case
Oftentimes, personal injury law firms will cover all of the expenses for a case up front, which are then deducted from the final settlement. Clients should be aware of the additional expenses they may be responsible for, which could include:
- Court Filing Fees: These are the costs to officially file a personal injurylawsuit
- Expert Witness Fees: Any experts like medical, accident reconstruction specialists, and financial analysts typically come with associated fees
- Accident Reports and Medical Record Retrieval: Obtaining official reports and medical documents to support your claim may involve fees
- Deposition and Transcript Costs: Any witness statements or other formal legal records could have an associated cost
- Trial Preparation Costs: If there are preparations involved for a personal injury trial, like visual evidence or exhibits, these also need to be taken into account
Some law firms will absorb these costs if they don’t win, but others may require clients to cover the expenses even if there is no compensation.
Why Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer in Pompano Beach Is Worth the Cost
After an accident, you may be wary of hiring attorneys because you worry about legal costs. While an understandable concern, statistics show that injury victims who hire lawyers recover significantly more compensation than those who handle claims alone.
A personal injury lawyer makes a great advocate for a number of reasons.
Increased Settlement Value
Insurance companies tend to offer lower settlements to unrepresented claimants. Lawyers can negotiate aggressively to maximize compensation.
Legal Expertise and Negotiation Power
Personal injury lawyers understand Florida’s laws and legal nuances. They know how to counter insurance company tactics for insurance claims and can handle all legal paperwork, evidence collection, and negotiations. Schrier Law Group’s attorneys have worked with many insurance companies before for cases involving car accident injuries, slip and fall accidents, wrongful death, and more.
No Financial Risk
Because of contingency fees, clients pay nothing unless they win. Since attorneys only get paid when they recover money, they are fully invested in the case’s success.
Whether a personal injury lawyer is a good choice is ultimately the decision of the victim, but there are many instances when their assistance is critical. Most personal injury lawyers have a free consultation offer, so be sure to check for that.
When to Hire Legal Representation for Your Case
Understanding when to seek legal representation is important because the right advocate can make all the difference in the outcome of a personal injury claim. It’s wise to consider working with a lawyer if:
- You sustained serious injuries
- Your insurance company denies the claim or offers a low settlement
- There is a dispute over fault
- Multiple parties are involved in the accident
A personal injury lawyer in Florida can advocate for victims and assist in navigating complex legal processes. They are also able to help with disputes regarding insurance companies and can secure the compensation you deserve.
Contact Schrier Law Group for a Free Consultation Today
The seasoned team at Schrier Law Group has over 65 years of experience helping injury victims in Florida recover fair and just settlements. We are committed to fighting for your rights and pursuing every dollar you are entitled to. Contact Schrier Law Group for a free consultation to get started today.
