No one starts their day expecting to be in a car accident. Not only can a car crash leave you with injuries and damage to your property, a vehicle accident can leave you feeling frustrated and upset about mounting medical bills, lost income and other losses. If you’ve been injured or in a car accident due to someone’s negligence or reckless behavior. In doing so, you may be wondering…how much is a lawyer for a car accident?
Most Car Accident Lawyers Don’t Charge Upfront Fees
Whether they’re in New Jersey, Connecticut or New York, most car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee arrangement. That is, you do not have to pay any legal fees unless your lawyer settles your case (or takes it to trial) and recovers financial compensation on your behalf. Once a settlement or verdict is reached, your attorney’s fees will be paid directly from the settlement.
Typically, car accident lawyer fees are a certain percentage of the settlement – that is agreed upon before you hire the lawyer. In many states like New Jersey, that percentage is set by law to be ⅓ of the first $500,000 awarded in the settlement. In the case of New Jersey law, the percentage changes for awards greater than $500,000 as well as minors. In other words, the cost of a lawyer for a car accident depends on the total value of your claim.
In New York, the fee for a car accident lawyer is the same as New Jersey – ⅓ or 33.33% of the settlement award. However, New Yorkers have options of choosing how when the percentage is calculated – before or after other expenses are paid out from the settlement. A client would typically receive more financial compensation if they chose to for the lawyer fees to be dedicated after expenses are paid; however, in exchange for this, the client may have to assume the risk for the expenses if the claim is lost.
No matter where you are, a reputable skilled car accident lawyer will thoroughly review your options and ensure you understand your options and your choices before proceeding. Better yet – most car accident lawyers offer free consultations to discuss your case and give you how much a lawyer for your car accident case may be.
With free consultations and no upfront fees, if you’ve been injured in a car accident through someone else’s negligence or reckless conduct, you have little risk in contacting a car accident lawyer for a case review.
Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer
Hiring a car accident lawyer has several benefits that will help you navigate the claims process and move forward after an accident. Working with an experienced, skilled car accident lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Consider these benefits of hiring an attorney:
Car Accident Lawyers Understand the Legal Process
In a car accident claim, your attorney will gather evidence, interview witnesses, review medical records and consult with experts if needed to build your case, prove your injuries and liability. They will also make sure to meet all deadlines and ensure legal documents are properly filed to protect your case.
Maximize the Value of Your Claim
Determining how much your car accident claim is worth is quite complex. Insurance companies will try to take advantage of your lack of knowledge and experience and try to offer you a lowball settlement. A car accident lawyer will know how to properly value your claim and will consider many aspects about how the accident or illness has affected you and your family to determine an amount to pursue.
Aggressive Negotiation
Not all car accident cases go to trial. In fact, most cases will settle before that happens. A top-rated car accident attorney will be adept at aggressive negotiation to pursue maximum compensation for your injuries. If negotiations break down and settlement can’t be reached, you may need to pursue a lawsuit that goes to trial. In this case, you want to have an experienced personal injury lawyer with trial experience on your side to pursue the maximum compensation you and your family deserve.
Free Consultations
Determining if you should hire a personal injury lawyer typically comes with little risk. Most car accident attorneys, like Brandon J. Broderick, offer a free legal consultation to review your case. A lawyer can help you understand if you have a reasonable case, what it would take to prove liability and how much a lawyer for a car accident may be. If you disagree with the lawyer’s approach or want to hire a different attorney, you may do so. A free legal consultation typically does not bind you to using that attorney’s services but always make sure you understand your financial obligation before consulting with an attorney.
Get Help After a Car Accident
Working with an experienced, skilled car accident lawyer can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. Why be left without enough compensation to cover your bills and other losses -- for an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or carelessness? Let us help you understand your case and determine how much a lawyer for your car accident may be.
At Brandon J. Broderick, Attorney at Law, our car accident lawyers have decades of experience and a long track record of success. Our firm works on a contingency basis, which means that you don’t pay any legal fees unless you win your claim.
Many of our clients tell us they feel a sense of relief once they make that first phone call. Contact us today for a free consultation.