Car accidents cause serious, often life threatening injuries. These injuries can impact every area of your life, including your ability to work and provide for your family as well as engage in hobbies and interests you once enjoyed. You may have permanent scarring or disabilities which could prevent you from returning to your job, and may require ongoing treatment or physical therapy. Unfortunately, automobile insurers often undervalue claims, and you may have been offered a settlement from the insurance company that is far less than what your claim is actually worth. It is also not uncommon for insurance companies to completely deny a claim for one reason or another, leaving you solely responsible for all of the expenses resulting from your accident. When you have been injured in a car accident, you need an attorney who will aggressively defend your rights, holding responsible parties accountable and assisting you in getting the compensation you deserve. While many people have the misconception that hiring an attorney will be just one more expense they cannot afford, the truth is you cannot afford not to have someone looking out for your best interests when it comes to dealing with your health and future well being. .
Contingency Fees In Personal Injury Cases
When you have been injured in a car accident, you may be dealing with lost wages or the inability to work, while at the same time the injuries and property damages you incurred on the accident quickly form into a mounting pile of bills and expenses. Fortunately, hiring an experienced personal injury lawyer does not need to be one of these expenses. The State Bar of California allows lawyers to charge contingency fees, wherein a client pays no upfront costs and instead agrees to pay a percentage of any compensation awarded by the court. This arrangement benefits people injured in car accidents for two main reasons:
- There are no upfront costs to pay; and
- Your lawyer will have a financial incentive to win your case and get you the maximum amount of compensation allowed by law.
In order to retain an attorney on a contingency basis, you would need to sign a legally binding fee agreement pledging that a certain percentage of any compensation received through a court judgment would go towards paying legal fees to your lawyer. Typically, this amount is a third of the total amount of damages awarded, or 33 percent. Your lawyer will often cover office costs associated with the case, such as postage and copies, though you will be responsible for paying court filing fees and costs. Under certain circumstances, such as when an at fault driver was grossly negligent or committed a felony which caused the accident, the California Code of Civil Procedure allows the court to order attorney’s fees be awarded separately, in addition to your other damages.
Get the Legal Representation You Need To Recover From Your Car Accident
You deserve to be compensated for injuries and damages you sustained as the result of a car accident. Having an experienced car accident lawyer on your side, whether in court or when dealing with an insurance company, can help to ensure your rights are protected, and that you get the compensation you need to recover from your injuries. Contingency fees make it easy to get the benefits that come with having legal representation, and the majority of car accident lawyers offer a free consultation where you can discuss the specifics of your case and get your questions answered without being under any obligation.