Accidents and injuries can be very costly, and some people are reluctant to pursue a case because they are concerned about having to spend more money on legal fees. We at the Brod Law Firm want you to know that you do not have to worry about legal costs at all. For your injury case, you do not have to spend any money upfront, and you do not have to pay any lawyer’s fee unless you have obtained compensation.
This is possible through an arrangement called contingent billing, and this is how many personal injury lawyers charge their clients.
How does contingent billing work?
A personal injury attorney working on a contingency basis will not charge you any fee unless and until he/she wins a judgment or obtains a monetary settlement for you. Once you are awarded a certain amount, only then will your attorney receive a specific percentage of that amount. This percentage is called the contingent fee.
For example, your lawyer has won you a $100,000 court judgment. If the agreed contingent fee is 30 percent, he/she will receive $30,000 from the amount you won.
What this means for you is that you do not have to shell out money in order to get legal services for your injury case. It will cost you practically nothing if your case is unsuccessful, so there is no risk of wasting your money. In addition, your lawyer will have an incentive to win the maximum possible amount for your case, as he/she will have a percentage of it.
How much is the personal injury lawyer contingent fee?
Different law firms charge different rates. On average, contingent fees range from 25 to 40 percent, and the nationwide standard in the US is about a third or 33.3 percent.
The percentage typically depends on several factors, such as the complexity of your case, the amount of work and resources it requires, the proficiency of the lawyer, and even the reputation of the law firm.
What if I’m only consulting with a lawyer and not certain about pursuing a case?
Initial consultations are also free with most personal injury lawyers. Even if you are unsure about your next steps, a legal consultation is a good way to start. Here, you can get free legal advice, and a lawyer can evaluate whether or not you have a case.
Are there other costs I should prepare for?
Aside from lawyer fees, other costs in a personal injury case include:
- Court filing fees
- Deposition fees
- Investigator fees
- Procuring documents such as police reports and medical records
- Expert fees (for expert witnesses and other professionals consulted)
- Postage, travels, and other miscellaneous expenses.
Your attorney will likely shoulder these expenses during the course of your case, so again, you do not have to worry about spending out-of-pocket. However, it is important that you thoroughly understand the billing agreement you have with your lawyer so you are aware of how these costs are going to be paid after your case has concluded.
With the Brod Law Firm, you can expect high-quality legal services with a “No Fee Unless You Win” guarantee. Talk to us about your injury in a free, confidential consultation. Call 1-888-HELPWIN (1-888-435-7946) today.
