If you were injured in an accident that was caused by somebody else, hiring a personal injury attorney in Los Angeles will increase your likelihood of getting a fair settlement. To get a good idea of how the attorney works and what they charge, you should call and schedule a consultation. McDonald Worley offers free consultations for personal injury cases.
Although there is no standard dollar amount every attorney charges for a personal injury claim, most of them follow what is known as a «contingency fee» structure. This article will go over how contingency fees work and what to expect.
How Contingency Fees Work
Most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee for their legal services. This is unique to personal injury attorneys and takes some financial burden off the client.
A contingency fee means the client doesn’t pay legal fees until the compensation check comes. So, the attorney needs to reach a settlement agreement with the insurance company or, if the case goes to trial, win the court case and recover compensation. In other words, you only have to pay legal fees if your attorney is successful.
How Your Lawyer Gets Paid if They are Successful
If your attorney is able to recover compensation in your case, they will generally receive your settlement check directly, take out their legal fees, and then give you the rest of the balance.
After they receive your settlement check, your lawyer should call you to let you know. They will then give you a detailed list of their fee along with any expenditures associated with the case. Those will be taken out, and you will then get paid the remaining amount.
This system works well for many clients. It enables you to get your case started without having to worry about paying an attorney out of pocket. You also don’t have to worry about legal fees while the case is taking place.
The Average Contingency Fee for a Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles
The typical contingency fee for a personal injury attorney is between 33.3% to 40% of the total compensation. The fee will vary based on the individual attorney’s standards and quality of services.
Many lawyers will use a sliding scale for their contingency fees based on how long it takes to resolve the claim. If the claim is settled before the client has to file a lawsuit, the fee will be closer to one-third of the settlement. However, if the case goes to trial, or mediation or arbitration is involved, the fee is typically closer to 40% because of the extra time, money, and resources required.
Is a Personal Injury Attorney Worth the Price?
How do you know when to hire an attorney? A good standard guideline is that the more severe your injuries are, the greater need you have for a personal injury attorney. More severe injuries result in more compensation, and you can lose out on a lot of money if you don’t know what you’re doing.
After an accident, you will be going up against an insurance company. Insurance companies know what they are doing, and they want to pay as little as possible. There are many tactics insurance companies use to try to lower your settlement amount, or even deny it altogether. You may even find yourself accidentally saying the wrong thing and ruining your chances of a fair settlement.
Hiring an experienced and professional attorney in Los Angeles means you have someone who knows how to argue on your behalf to get the best settlement possible.
Consult with a Personal Injury Attorney in Los Angeles for Free
At McDonald Worley, our Los Angeles personal injury law firm is devoted to getting our clients the compensation they deserve– risk-free. We work solely on contingency, so you don’t have to stress about fees upfront.
To schedule a free consultation with an experienced lawyer for your injury case today, call us at 877-721-3423 or contact us online right now.