Do Car Accident Attorneys Take Cases Without Upfront Payment?
After a Florida car accident, it is in your best interest to contact a car accident attorney. A car accident attorney can help you take legal action after a car crash. They can help you navigate the complex legal process. However, you might be under the impression that you must pay a car accident attorney in advance or by the hour so they can handle your case. Often, people hesitate to contact an attorney after a car accident because they are unsure whether they can afford the attorney’s hourly fee or retainer fee. You may be asking yourself, “Can a car accident attorney take my case without upfront payment?”
So, do car accident attorneys take cases without upfront payment? Most car accident lawyers, including the lawyers at The Pendas Law Firm, can and do take cases without upfront payment. While car accident lawyers, like all other lawyers, charge fees for their legal services, personal injury lawyers use a different structure because of the unique challenges car accident victims face. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you pay a lawyer only if and after they secure compensation for you.
How Does a Contingency Fee Work?
Most personal injury lawyers in Florida work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee arrangement means that the attorney’s fee is contingent or dependent on the case’s outcome. If the attorney secures compensation for the client, they will get paid. If they don’t secure compensation, they won’t get paid. Contingency fees are helpful to accident victims who may not have the financial resources to pay legal fees upfront. If you are struggling with medical expenses and other expenses related to your injury, this can be particularly beneficial.
With a contingency fee arrangement, the attorney gets a percentage of the amount recovered through a settlement or court verdict. The percentage personal injury attorneys charge varies, but in Florida, the average contingency fee is 33% to 40% of a claimant’s car accident settlement or verdict amount. Certain factors may affect the percentage, such as whether a case settles outside of court or goes to trial, the complexity of the case, the level of risk imposed, and the attorney’s experience and track record. The good news is that contingency fees are often negotiable between the client and the lawyer.
Some Costs May Not Be Part of the Contingency Fee Arrangement
It is vital to note that some costs may not be part of the contingency fee arrangement, meaning you may need to pay these costs even if you lose your case. Examples of such costs include;
- Court filing fees
- Expert witness fees
- Travel costs
- Costs associated with obtaining medical records
- Discovery costs
Before agreeing to a contingency fee arrangement, you need to carefully review the agreement and confirm with the lawyer which costs you must pay, even if you don’t recover compensation.
Contact Us for Legal Help
Our Fort Lauderdale personal injury attorneys at The Pendas Law Firm can take on your car accident case without upfront payments and help you recover the compensation you deserve. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
The Pendas Law Firm also represents clients in the Fort Myers, West Palm Beach, Miami, Orlando, Ocala, Jacksonville, Tampa, Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Naples, and Melbourne areas.
