How Do You Know the Cost of a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If you suffered an injury at the hands of another party, you may be able to file a personal injury claim against them. Unfortunately, many people who have a solid claim refrain from filing because they fear they can’t afford a lawyer. Before you decide against filing, here is what you need to know about how to afford a personal injury lawyer in San Francisco, CA for your case.
Understanding Contingency Fees
When most people think about lawyer fees, they think about hourly rates. While it is true that a criminal defense lawyer is expensive for most people, this isn’t the case when it comes to personal injury and civil lawyers. A personal injury lawyer in San Francisco, CA works for a contingency fee.
When you receive your payment, the lawyer takes a cut. The average rate for most lawyers is about 33.3% of your settlement. In addition, you may also have to pay different court fees on top of it. When you discuss the fee with your lawyer, he or she will draw up a contract that explains how the filing fees and other fees are paid. Some will add it on top of the 33.3%, whereas others will include it.
Knowing Your Case’s Value
Your lawyer’s payment is dependent on the value of your case. When you consult with a personal injury lawyer such as Morales Law Firm, he or she will be able to give you an estimate of the settlement that the attorney thinks that you’ll be awarded. The factors behind your case’s ultimate resolution include:
- Future, current and past medical bills for the injury
- Property damage due to the accident
- Lost wages because of the accident
- Pain and suffering as a result of the accident
In addition, some states may also apply punitive damages to some cases. Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant for his or her actions. These are most common in cases where the defendant acted with gross negligence.
Many clients hold off on filing a personal injury lawsuit out of fear that they cannot afford it. After all, most people need to file a claim because they need the money to pay for medical bills, losses and other damages. Set up a consultation with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss his or her fee schedule. Most work on a contingency fee, so you won’t pay until you receive your settlement. Your contract will spell out any other fees that you may need to pay.