When you or someone you love is injured in a vehicle accident, it can be an overwhelming and stressful time. The treatment of physical and emotional injuries can be taxing and difficult. In addition, injuries can keep victims from working and earning income, adding financial strain to an already challenging time. Obtaining the care and compensation you need to recover as fully as possible is vital, but many victims and their families worry they cannot afford to hire an attorney to help meet this goal. It is possible, however, to secure effective legal representation with different types of fee agreements.
Common Types of Legal Fee Arrangements
There are many different types of fee agreements that are common between lawyers and their clients, and they include:
- Contingency fees – The legal fee is a percentage of the amount the client is awarded in the case. The lawyer and client agree to this percentage and the fee is only paid when a recovery occurs for the client.
- Flat fees – The lawyer and client agree to a specific amount that will cover the legal fees for a specific task.
- Hourly fees – The legal team bills the client as work is done on the case at an hourly rate. The hourly rate varies due to location, experience and the type of legal work being performed, i.e. trial work, document preparation, etc.
How a Contingency Fee Agreement Helps Injury Victims
A contingency fee agreement is especially helpful for injury victims who may be particularly worried about legal costs while they are missing work. In this type of arrangement, clients only have to pay if the attorney is able to successfully resolve the case, and the payment comes directly from the award. If there is no award recovered, the client does not have to pay lawyer fees.
Potential Out-of-Pocket Costs With a Contingency Arrangement
While the lawyer will not expect payment for his services until a successful resolution, there are other costs that may be associated with a legal case. The attorney and client will decide together what other fees the client may be responsible for. While these fees are typically minimal, they could be required to cover the costs of:
- Court filings
- Serving of a summons or subpoena
- Court reporter services
- Court transcripts
- Document preparation
- Expert witnesses
At Wagner Law, LLC, our legal team is clear and upfront about any costs that may arise. We use a contingency fee agreement to help every injury victim find effective, experienced legal representation. Even if you are worried that you cannot afford an attorney, call our office to speak with a member of our team and schedule a free, no-obligation consultation so we can answer your questions and explain how we may be able to help.