Lawyer: The Cost Of Hiring A Lawyer And Filing A Personal Injury Claim

If you have been hurt in an accident, your first thought is about recovery. Then reality sets in and you have to think about how to pay for your recovery instead. This stress hinders your body's ability to heal and it does nothing for the psychological damage you have suffered. If your injuries are a result of an accident through no fault of your own, you should contact a personal injury lawyer. But, how much is that going to cost? If you can't afford your medical bills, how can you afford a lawyer?

Personal injury claims are accepted on contingency which means the attorney only gets paid if he wins you compensation. Typically, you get a free consultation where he determines the value of your claim, meaning the size of restitution he thinks he can get. During this consultation, you must reveal all the circumstances that led up to the accident and your injuries. This is the only way he can deem if a suit is worth his time.

If your lawyer decides to take your case, his payment will come from the settlement amount. The average contingency fee is 33% of the awarded compensation. It is important to know that you may have some expenses in building your case depending on how the firm operates. You may be responsible for court fees, hiring expert witnesses and other means necessary to prove your case.

There are other firms who recognize that many people will not pursue a claim because they can't afford these out-of-pocket expenses so they foot the bill for the entire case. For a claim that is asking for a substantial amount, it is to the benefit of you and the firm to have access to all of their resources no matter the cost. In the end, a win in court and the percentage the firm gets more than covers the expenses.

If you lose the case, you don't pay your attorney anything. You may be out the expenses it took to build the case (which can be exorbitant) unless the firm absorbed these expenses. So, there is little risk on your part to pursue a claim.

If you think you have a solid case, it won't cost you a thing to get a professional opinion. Attorneys who handle personal injury cases have the experience to determine the worth of your claim. He has the benefit of comparing your circumstances to past cases, if it was successful and how much was awarded.

The key is that you are honest about how the accident occurred and can provide as much detail as possible. If he deems that your case is worth a fight based on his experience, there is a good chance it will end well for you.