How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Richmond Auto Accident Lawyer?

If you’ve been injured in a crash, a Richmond auto accident lawyer at Virginia Injury Law can help. Call today and schedule a free consultation.

There is not a fixed dollar amount every lawyer charges for a car accident case. However, it is standard for the majority of car crash attorneys to follow a similar fee structure when working a case. This post will go over the way attorneys normally charge for wreck claims.
If you were harmed in a car wreck (or some other type of accident) caused by someone else, having a skilled lawyer can really increase your chances of receiving the maximum compensation that you can. Setting up a meeting can offer you a good idea of how the attorney operates and what their fee structure looks like.

How Contingency Fees Work

Thankfully, the majority of auto crash attorneys work on a contingency fee when charging for their services. This is unique to personal injury lawyers and makes the situation very low-risk for the client. A contingency fee means the lawyer will not get paid by the client unless they recover compensation for the claim. If they do recover money for the client, a lawyer gets paid either a percentage of the total settlement from the claim or a portion of what’s awarded by a judge or jury in court.
Contingency fees can be very useful in that they help guarantee the lawyer has your best interests at heart. Bringing a great outcome in the case helps both parties because you have a good chance of winning and your lawyer has a higher likelihood of earning a percentage of what they win. The lawyer is basically “contingent” on a favorable conclusion in the injury case.

The Average Contingency Fee for a Richmond Auto Accident Lawyer

You may feel that this all sounds well and pretty good, but you’re still questioning just how much attorneys cost for car accident cases. The standard contingency fee for an auto accident attorney is generally between 33% to 40% of the settlement deal. The payment will differ based on the lawyer’s specific standards and quality of professional services.
Many attorneys will utilize a percentage range for their contingency fees based on the time it takes to get the case settled. Such as:
If the claim is settled without the need for a lawsuit: the cost will be closer to one-third of the settlement.
If the client needs to file a lawsuit, or mediation or arbitration is needed: the usual fee is closer to 40% to account for the additional time, money, and resources required.
According to the American Bar Association, being more involved in your case can often help to reduce your legal fees. However, this is something you have to review with your attorney directly.

How a Lawyer Gets Paid If They Settle Your Claim

If your lawyer is successful and wins you a settlement for your claim, they will generally receive your settlement check directly. This way, the attorney can get their percent as their contingency fee for their work. After they get your settlement check, your lawyer will contact you to let you know. They will then provide a detailed list, including their fee and any other costs or expenses associated with the case. Those will be taken out, and you will receive the rest of the balance from your settlement check.
This system works nicely for most clients because it permits you to start your case without the need to concern yourself with paying your attorney out of pocket. This also helps you to not be stressed about prices or expenses while the case is occurring.

How to Know If a Lawyer Is Worth the Price

You might wonder: Is the cost of hiring an attorney genuinely worth it? It’s a great question that many injured individuals ask. While any injury victim is allowed to handle their case alone, we do not advise 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 know that the majority of accident victims are unaware of how the legal process works for these claims.
The insurance company will work hard to convince you to accept a lowball offer. When you don’t have the right legal knowledge, it can be easy to fall into this trap. However, having a caring and qualified attorney on your side means you have someone who knows how to advocate for you, to get you the best settlement they can.
A good basic rule is that the more serious your injuries are, the greater need you have for an auto accident lawyer. That’s because the stakes are higher, and you can lose out on a great deal of money that you need to recuperate.

Talk With a Richmond Auto Accident Lawyer for Free

If you’ve been injured in a car accident, a skilled car wreck attorney in Richmond, VA can help. They will go over the details of your case and see if it’s worth pursuing, and can even give you an idea of how much your claim might be worth. An experienced attorney knows how to handle insurance companies and will help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Working with an attorney will also help ensure that your legal rights are protected throughout the whole process.

Virginia Injury Law offers case reviews, call today and schedule a consultation with an experienced Virginia car accident attorney.