It’s a common misconception that hiring a personal injury lawyer is super expensive. Reality is the exact opposite of what we think. Yes, personal injury lawyers are expensive, but you don’t really have to pay a big fee to start the case.
The typical fees for personal injury are usually charged on a percentage basis. Once the case is won, the lawyer takes a cut based on the agreed-upon percentage, leaving you with the remaining settlement amount.
For your help, we’ll cover what percentages lawyers charge and whether it’s worth it to hire an attorney. You’ll also get the answer of what you should consider before hiring a personal injury lawyer. So, let’s get into the details.
What Percentage Do Most Personal Injury Attorneys Take?
As stated, personal injury lawyers usually charge on a percentage basis, also known as a contingency fee. This means instead of a fixed fee or upfront amount, the lawyer will ask you to agree upon a specific percentage of the settlement amount.
In most cases, the percentage of contingency fees varies between 25% and 40%, but it can be higher or lower depending on the severity of the case. The lawyer will charge a fee after you win the case and get the settlement amount.
Here’s a simple example of a contingency fee:
- Suppose you and your lawyer agree upon a 20% contingency fee.
- You get the settlement of $20,000.
- $20,000 x 0.30 = $6,000 will be the lawyer fee.
In short, you don’t need a big budget to hire a personal injury lawyer in California law firms, including ours (MCCRARY Law Firm). However, you must bear expenses like case filing fees, investigators or witnesses expenses or any additional costs.
Is It Worth Hiring A Personal Injury Attorney?
Yes, it’s worth hiring a personal injury attorney. The reason behind backing up the statement is that it’s almost impossible to make the insurer company agree on a fair settlement amount that includes all your medical bills and lost income.
Without an attorney, the insurance company might try to settle with you for a smaller amount. They might even try to shift all the blame onto you, making it seem like the accident was your fault.
These victim-blaming tactics sometimes lead the injured person to accept a lower settlement, thinking that going to court and paying for an attorney is too expensive. That’s why you must hire a professional attorney to handle your personal injury settlement case.
Your attorney will ensure you’re not exploited and receive the rightful compensation. Remember to complete the hiring process as soon as possible because the older your injuries get, the more challenging it will become to secure a fair settlement.