Following a car accident, you may be unsure of how to proceed. The aftermath can be overwhelming, as you’re left to deal with personal injuries, financial distress, and claims processing and its outcomes. With so much on your plate, you need a trusted attorney to resolve matters on your behalf.
Depending on the specifics of your case, you may want to hire a personal injury attorney who specializes in car accident cases. Although personal injury attorneys generally cover a range of cases, some professionals are experts in specific branches of the law. An attorney with a niche in car accident cases is your best bet to secure optimal case outcomes.
In addition to finding the right attorney, you want to set yourself up for success by becoming familiar with the standard attorney fees and contingency agreements likely to play a role in the legal services you hire for. Below, we’ll discuss how attorney fees and contingency agreements work for pros like a San Francisco car accident lawyer so you’ll know what to expect as you proceed with your case. Read on to learn more.
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Hiring Attorneys Like A San Francisco car accident lawyer
Most lawyers, including your San Francisco car accident lawyer, will likely follow a contingency fee arrangement for personal injury cases. A contingency fee requires the client to pay a percentage of case earnings if the attorney wins their case. The percentages vary by provider and location. If the attorney does not win the case, the client does not pay the attorney a percentage of their earnings.
How Attorney Fees Work
In addition to contingency fee arrangements, attorney fees may be applied for working on your case. Attorney fees refer to the general compensation paid to your attorney for their legal services. These fees may vary depending on the lawyer’s experience, where they practice, and other factors. The type of legal services provided will influence the attorney fees applied.
There are various attorney fees that you may need to cover, including but not limited to:
- time
- labor
- litigation costs
- administrative costs
Creating A Written Financial Agreement Of Conditions
Prior to hiring an attorney or San Francisco car accident lawyer, make sure you’ve discussed the fee structure. Before agreeing to the fee structure of your San Francisco car accident lawyer, request a written financial agreement. With a written fee agreement, you can avoid disputes and keep a record of the agreed-upon terms.
Make sure that your lawyer outlines the essentials in writing, such as:
- A retainer amount and deposit deadline
- Hourly fees (including how often you’ll be billed, the hourly rates for all parties working on your case, penalties, etc.)
- Contingency fee agreement terms
Getting Confident In Your Decision To Decline Or Proceed
Fees applied for legal services by a San Francisco car accident lawyer vary. Always establish a written financial agreement before working with a car accident lawyer. Educate yourself on attorney fees and contingency agreements so you are confident in your decision to decline or move forward.
