A lot of people think it makes more sense to handle their car accident claim on their own. They’re afraid it’ll be too expensive to have a car accident lawyer in Houston handle it for them. They figure one of two things will happen. Either they’ll file their insurance claim and get paid, or they’ll have to file suit. They figure, if they do have to file a lawsuit, they don’t want to have to give a lawyer a third of their money.
The problem with this line of thinking is that it’s short-sighted. What these people don’t realize is that 100% of nothing is still nothing. The odds of actually recovering from their injuries are much lower if they don’t hire a Houston car accident lawyer.. At least if they have an attorney handling their case, they’ll get something. And, something is always better than nothing.
The great thing about contacting an experienced car accident lawyer in Houston is that your initial consultation is free.. You can sit down and talk to a lawyer without paying a dime. And, they’ll give you an idea of how best to approach your case.
Car Accident Attorneys Work on a Contingency Basis
When you go for your initial consultation, your attorney will make a decision as to whether or not they’ll take your case. If they do, you’ll pay nothing upfront. Your Houston accident lawyer will cover the fees and filing costs.. However, these fees will have to be reimbursed when you settle or win your case.
Car accident attorneys don’t charge you an hourly rate. They simply take a certain percentage of your settlement or judgment proceeds. If your case is able to be settled without the need for litigation, you’ll pay somewhere between 30-33%. This is referred to as a contingency fee.
However, if your lawyer needs to go to trial, that rate will go up to about 40%. However, it’s worth it. Your lawyer is going to have to a lot of work and research to win your case. Going to trial can be very expensive and time-consuming.
Your Texas Car Accident Lawyer Will Get You Damages
Even if your accident was minor, there’s a good chance you’ll have some damages. Your Houston car accident lawyer will work hard to make sure you get the compensation you deserve.. Some of your damages may include the following:
- Medical bills and future medical bills – If someone else caused your car accident, they should have to pay your medical bills. You shouldn’t be responsible for paying these. It would be a different story if you caused the crash. But you didn’t.
- Lost wages – Depending on your injuries, you might be out of work for a while. It can take weeks or months to recover from your injuries. The defendant or their insurance company need to compensate you for this time.
- Lost future earnings – Some people aren’t able to return to work full time after their crash. If this is the case with you, your lawyer will demand that you be compensated fairly.
- Property Damage – Very few cars survive a car accident without damage to the car. This means the defendant will need to pay to get your car fixed or replaced.
While you may be able to recover similar damages if you handle your case yourself, there’s no guarantee. There’s no guarantee that your Houston car accident lawyer can get you damages.. It all depends on the facts of your case. It also depends on the kind of evidence available to you. The more serious your injuries, the greater your damages. However, you can only collect damages for the injuries you’ve actually suffered.
Contact an Experienced Car Accident Lawyer in Houston, Texas
There is no rule that says you need to hire a car accident lawyer.. You can certainly handle the case yourself. However, if you want to increase your chances of getting full damages, you should call an experienced personal injury lawyer in Houston, TX. Call now so you can set up a time as soon as possible. You can sit down with a lawyer and enjoy a free consultation.
Even if you choose not to pursue your case, your lawyer can explain the legal process for you. This way, you can make an informed decision as to how best to proceed. The consultation costs you nothing, but it can make a world of difference.