After getting injured in an accident, you might think that hiring an attorney will be an additional expense for you. We all know that these cases end up in obtaining the compensation after you prove in court that the accident has occurred due to the negligence of another party. Financial losses, physical injuries, pain, and trauma may break you down. However, a Seattle personal injury attorney will be able to give you the right guidance about the costs associated and attorney’s fees.
A contingency fee structure to pay your lawyer
Most lawyers work on a contingency fee structure in which they will take the money after the compensation has been received. Whether you file a claim or a lawsuit, you are entitled to obtain the money because you got injured because of the negligence of another person.
Mostly, lawyers may take from 25 to 40% of the compensation as their fees depending on the nature of the case. It has also been observed that if the lawyer fights the case in court, he is likely to charge more fees. On the other hand, if the case is settled outside the court, the fees will be lower. That’s why many experts exert that the case should be closed by opting for the settlement.
Additional charges to pursue the case
Apart from the lawyer’s fees, you might have to pay other expenses. They are enlisted below:
- Costs of hiring experts to testify to witnesses
- Travel fees
- Court fees
- Costs to hire an investigator, if needed
- Costs associated with obtaining the documents such as medical records, bills, and others
It should be noted that the lawyer might pay these expenses from his pocket. After the amount is received, he will deduct these expenses and his fees from it and then, gives the amount to the plaintiff. If you are short of money, you just need to consult a personal injury lawyer. He will review the case and if he believes that the case is valid, he will recommend filing a lawsuit. You don’t have to pay any upfront amount.
Not all personal injury lawyers take the fee on the contingency structure. Some may charge on an hourly basis. They will tell you their hourly rate and estimate how many hours the case may take. Depending on your budget, you can hire the most affordable one. A good lawyer will help you get compensation quickly.