How Expensive Is It To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in California?
David Muñoz | July 19, 2022 | Car Accidents
Many people think hiring a car accident lawyer in California is expensive. They might be wondering how will they pay accident lawyer fees when they have been out of work recovering from a car crash.
You do not pay any car accident fees upfront when you hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis. Instead, the car accident lawyer fee is deducted from the money that your lawyer recovers for your personal injury claim. That means you can have an experienced, skilled injury attorney working on your behalf without worrying about how to pay to hire a lawyer.
There is a lot at risk when you file a car accident claim. Depending on the severity of your injuries and other damages, a personal injury case could be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Insurance companies have a team of lawyers working to protect their best interest, which is to pay as little as possible to resolve car accident claims. Hiring a car accident lawyer evens the playing field by putting a law firm’s resources, skills, and expertise on your side.
How Much Do Car Accident Lawyers Charge?
Car accident attorneys set fees based on several factors. Some of the factors that affect the fee lawyers charge for a car accident case include:
- The complexity of the car accident case
- The lawyer’s education, skills, experience level, and special certifications
- The geographical area where the law firm is located
- The anticipated duration of the case and the amount of time the attorney expects to spend working on the case
- The parties involved in the case
- The lawyer’s success record for jury verdicts and settlements
- The contingency fees charged by other lawyers for similar legal services
Most car accident attorneys offer free consultations. You can meet with a few lawyers to discuss your case and the fees they charge for their legal services.
The majority of lawyers charge similar fees to handle car accident cases. Therefore, your decision to hire a car accident lawyer involves more than just the legal fees. You want to choose an attorney with considerable experience handling cases similar to your case with a winning track record and who makes you feel at ease.
Why Do Attorneys Accept Car Accident Cases Without Any Fees Up Front?
San Diego personal injury lawyers do not work for free. They expect to win your case to receive payment for their services. Their fees are based on a percentage of the money they recover for your claim.
The typical contingency fee for many car accident cases is one-third of the recovery. The percentage may change based on the factors discussed above or other factors relevant to your case. The contingency fee also increases if the lawyer files a lawsuit and prepares for trial.
Taking cases on a contingency fee means more people can afford to hire lawyers to help them with their car accident cases. It also means that your lawyer has an invested interest in recovering as much money for your claim as possible. Their fees are directly tied to the success of the case.
Paying Costs Associated With Pursuing a Car Accident Claim in California
In addition to attorneys’ fees, you may be responsible for paying the costs of pursuing a claim. These costs include, but are not limited to:
- Copy fees and postage
- Fees for obtaining medical records, accident reports, earning statements, and other records
- Deposition fees and costs
- Fees paid to expert witnesses
- Costs of investigating the car accident
- The costs of preparing for trial
Most attorneys pay the costs as they are incurred throughout the case. The law firm is reimbursed for fees from the car accident settlement proceeds after the attorney deducts their attorneys’ fees.
Before signing a retainer agreement and contingency fee agreement, ask the lawyer about the costs of the case. Ensure that you understand who is responsible for paying these costs in the unlikely event the lawyer does not recover money for your car accident case.
Do I Need a Lawyer To Handle My Car Accident Claim?
The best way to know whether you need a lawyer after a car accident is to meet with an attorney for a free case evaluation. Most car accident victims benefit from hiring an attorney.
It is also best to talk with a lawyer as soon as possible after a car crash. Your lawyer handles all matters related to your claim, including all communications with insurance adjusters and claims investigators.
Also, you have just two years from the accident date to file a lawsuit. In some cases, that time could be shorter or longer. Contacting a personal injury lawyer now can avoid running into problems with filing deadlines.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in San Diego Today To Get More Information
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, please call Mission Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation with a personal injury lawyer or contact us online.
We proudly serve San Diego County and throughout California.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers
2515 Camino del Rio S Suite 350, San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 777-5555
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – Chula Vista Office
690 Otay Lakes Rd #130, Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619) 722-3032
We also serve the state of Texas. Contact our personal injury law office in El Paso for legal assistance today.
Mission Personal Injury Lawyers – El Paso Office
201 E Main Suite 106, El Paso, Texas 79901
(915) 591-1000
