There isn’t a fixed amount that a personal injury attorney in Richmond, VA will charge for an injury case. However, it is common for many personal injury attorneys to follow a similar fee structure when working on a claim. This post will go over the way lawyers normally charge for personal injury cases.
If you were injured in an accident caused by someone else, getting a skilled lawyer can really increase your chances of receiving the maximum compensation that you can. Scheduling a consultation can give you a good idea of how the attorney operates and what their fee structure looks like.
How Lawyer Contingency Fees Work
Luckily, a lot of personal injury attorneys offer to work on a contingency fee basis when charging for their services. This is unique to personal injury lawyers and makes the situation relatively low-risk for the client.
A contingency fee means the lawyer will not make money until they recover compensation for the claim. Then, if they do recover a settlement for the client, the lawyer is paid in the form of:
- A percentage of the settlement amount from an injury claim
- A part of what’s granted by a judge or jury in the courtroom
Because they help make certain that the attorney has your best interests at heart, contingency fees can be pretty useful. Earning a great result in the case is beneficial for both parties due to the fact that you have a good chance of winning your case, and your attorney has a good chance of getting paid a chunk of the compensation. This gives your attorney an incentive to win.
The Contingency Fee for the Average Personal Injury Attorney in Richmond, VA
You might think this all sounds pretty good, but you’re still asking yourself just how much lawyers cost for injury cases. The regular contingency fee for a personal injury lawyer is generally between 33.3% to 40% of the payout. The cost will vary based on the attorney’s particular standards and quality of professional services.
Many attorneys will use a sliding scale for their contingency fees depending upon how long it takes to get the claim resolved. For example:
- If the claim is resolved before the client needs to submit a lawsuit, the charge will be closer to one-third of the settlement.
- If the client does need to file a lawsuit, or if mediation or arbitration is involved, the usual fee increases to 40% to account for the extra time, money, and resources involved.
According to the American Bar Association, getting more involved in your case can, in some cases, help in reducing your total costs. But that is something you will have to discuss with your attorney directly.
How Your Attorney Gets Paid if They Settle Your Claim
If your attorney is successful and wins your case, they will typically get your settlement check directly. That way, the attorney can take out their percentage as the contingency fee for their assistance.
After they obtain your settlement check, your lawyer will get in touch with you to let you know. They will then give you a detailed list consisting of their own fees, and any other costs or expenses involved in the case. Those will be taken out, and you will then receive the rest of the balance from your settlement check.
This method works nicely for many clients due to the fact that it allows you to start your case without having to think about paying your attorney out of pocket, so there’s no reason to be stressed about prices or costs while the case is happening.
Is a Personal Injury Attorney Worth the Price?
While any injury victim is allowed to manage their case by themselves, we do not suggest it. After an accident, you will be taking on the insurance company of the at-fault person. Insurance companies know what they are doing, and they have learned that the majority of injury victims are not familiar with the legal aspects of an insurance claim process.
The insurance company will work hard to convince you that you deserve a far lower settlement than you really need. But having a compassionate and skilled attorney working with you means you have somebody who knows how to advocate on your behalf for the best outcome possible.
A good general rule is that the more severe your injuries, the greater need you have for a personal injury attorney. That’s because the stakes are higher; you can lose out on a lot of money that you may need to feel better.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney in Richmond, VA for Free
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, call Virginia Injury Law and speak with our personal injury law firm in Richmond, VA. We will be able to tell you if you have a good case, and give you an idea of what it might be worth. When you work with our firm, we will guide you through the legal process and work hard to get you the compensation you deserve. Call Virginia Injury Law at 1-800-HURT-123 today and schedule a free case review.
Let's get started with your free consultation!