Getting in an accident of any kind is hard enough to deal with, especially considering costs like medical bills and lost wages. A personal injury lawyer can help reduce those costs in some circumstances and increase your award. If you are curious about how much a personal injury lawyer costs, you are not alone. Review the costs of hiring a personal injury lawyer and what you can gain from the process, and find out why Tom is the reliable attorney to call for your case. You will get a free case evaluation and talk directly with Tom.
Types of Fees
When searching for the right lawyer, you’ll come across various fees, so it’s important to understand their fee structure. The most common fees are hourly, flat, and contingency fees.
Hourly Fees
Hourly fees are charged based on the time your attorney puts into working on your case. This means that you are billed at an hourly rate which should be communicated upfront and itemized when the time comes to pay.
Flat Fees
Flat fees are the amount you will pay regardless of how long the case takes. Attorneys that charge a flat fee will usually negotiate this fee with you at the beginning of the case. It can be advantageous only in very complex cases.
Contingency Fees
A contingency fee is any fee for services provided, payable only if there is a favorable result. Most reliable and experienced personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means that if your attorney does not win your case, you do not owe them anything in legal fees.
How Contingency Fees Work
Contingency fees only apply if your lawyer wins your case. This approach means that the lawyer only gets paid if you do. You won’t have to pay any upfront fees before the case is completed, and unless there’s a positive outcome, you don’t owe anything after your case.
If your case goes to court, your lawyer will collect their percentage to cover their services and accompanying court costs from your settlement if you win. Court costs come in various forms and account for money your attorney may need to spend while pursuing your claim, including finding expert witnesses, travel costs, evidence gathering and deposing witnesses.
When a lawyer’s payment depends on the success of your case, you don’t have to worry about an investment that’s not going to pan out. Since no case is certain, paying in advance is a risk, but the contingency fee approach negates that risk entirely.
Hire a Contingency Fee Lawyer
Should your suit be successful, the lawyer will collect their payment based on a percentage of the money you’ve won in your case rather than a fixed amount. This percentage can vary, of course, depending on your case. Claims against the State of Florida cap contingency fees at 25%. In Federal cases, fees are capped at 20% before litigation and 25% after litigation begins. Tom will discuss your contingency fee with you during your free consultation. Tom only works on contingency, so he does not get paid unless you do.
Can I Afford an Attorney?
If you need an experienced and trustworthy attorney who will put your interests first and fight for you every step of the way, call the law office of Tom Uebershaer. Tom offers free consultations and works on contingency. You owe nothing upfront to discuss your case; if you do not get paid, Tom also does not get paid. Call Tom Uebershaer, P.A., at 850-434-8778 or fill out our contact form to schedule a free consultation today.