While the last thing you likely want to worry about upon becoming injured, the importance of hiring a personal injury lawyer in circumstances of personal infliction and loss remains paramount to getting the compensation and justice you deserve.
Why Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
While it may be tempting to go it alone, most people are not equipped to successfully navigate the justice system themselves upon being involved in an accident, and will rarely get the compensation they should in such cases. Because of this, hiring a qualified professional upon deciding to pursue legal justice on your injury case is essential to guaranteeing the efficiency of your endeavor and outcome of your pursuit. The following are just some of the things to keep in mind when wondering if a personal injury lawyer is worth the investment.
Recovery is their priority: When you work with a qualified personal injury lawyer, you can rest assured that you’ll have a dedicated professional in your corner whose job it will be to prioritize and support your recovery. Whatever injury may have occurred, personal injury lawyers are versed in the traumas of what these situations entail, and will be able to advocate for and support you along every step of the way. Furthermore, their professional assistance means that you won’t have to worry about the legal work associated with the process of seeing justice, and will have the time you need to focus on yourself and ultimate rehabilitation.
They understand the complexities of insurance: Although insurance is a thing that almost everyone has, it’s not always easy to understand, and can be thus confusing to navigate when victim of an injury necessitating it. Being highly experienced in the realm of insurance and law, personal injury lawyers can ensure that you’ll get a high-level of guidance and assistance through your insurance claim process. Also, having a personal injury lawyer at your side ensures that you’ll get what you’re owed, and not taken advantage of by insurance firms that often try to settle claims for less than they’re worth.
Familiar with the court system: The legal system is a complex one which requires a deep knowledge of its structure, requirements and demands in order to be navigated successfully. Hiring a personal injury lawyer can be extremely beneficial for the reason that they are qualified experts on the court of law, and are professionally equipped to lead you throughout the process. They have the experience and knowledge to make sure your case has what it needs to win, and that you are prepared for anything that may come your way during proceedings.
How Fees Work
The process of working with a personal injury lawyer is one that will involve a lot of collaboration and planning, and can be broken down into different pieces that will usually have their own associated costs.
Consultations
Consultations are typically free, so you can talk to a few different law firms before hiring a lawyer. A personal injury lawyer can help you figure out how much your case will cost and what that means in terms of your recovery and next steps. The more serious your injuries and the more difficult their recovery, the more money your lawyer will typically charge. One advantage of gathering information from several potential lawyers before making your decision is that it allows you to compare their fees. Some lawyers quote a flat fee up front so there are no surprises, while others charge hourly rates and require more money as the case progresses.
Contingency Basis
Most of the time, you don’t pay anything unless you win when working with a personal injury lawyer. If you do win, the cost of the work is paid out of your settlement. Most personal injury lawyers will work on a contingency basis such as this, mainly for the reason that it provides victims an accessible route to justice should they become injured. The fee will be predetermined between the client and lawyer, and agreed upon by a retainer agreement. This will signify that the two parties have agreed that the lawyer will receive the set fee on the contingency that the case is one or certain requirements are met, and that the lawyer’s pay is represented in the outcome of the case.
Hourly Rates
Some personal injury lawyers charge hourly rates instead of a percentage or flat fee. This means that it costs more to hire them but provides the client with more control over how much work the lawyer performs on their behalf. It is very important that you understand up front exactly how much work your personal injury lawyer will do at an hourly rate and what that means in terms of hours billed. As your case progresses, your lawyer may request additional hours for certain tasks or phases of your case. You should have a clear understanding of how this will affect the cost.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire A Personal Injury Lawyer?
The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer is determined by what the case requires, and on an individual basis. While specific fees are likely to vary based on firm, the following are the key components of an injury lawyer’s process and the types of fees associated with it.
A lawyer’s fee is typically calculated on a percentage basis. This should be established in the beginning of a case using a contingency fee retainer agreement.
The lawyer’s charge may differ based on a number of criteria, including:
- The likelihood of the case’s success
- The complexity and type of claim involved
- The risks and expenses associated with pursuing the claim
- The amount of recovery expected
- Who will receive an award of costs
- The amount awarded
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is an important decision that should be taken after careful consideration and thorough research, and should never be done without thinking through the costs associated. Ideally, the right decision will ultimately lead to a successful result which justifies the investment made.
Need expert advice on what to do about your case and options, look no further than Alvine Law Firm, LLP for access to qualified professionals who will work diligently to meet your needs. To learn more about the firm, alvinelaw.com.