In the majority of accident cases, an injured party benefits from the help of an attorney. If you or a loved one are hurt and seeking compensation, you may be wondering how much it costs to hire a personal injury lawyer in Philadelphia, PA. Here’s what you need to know before employing a personal injury lawyer.
Many lawyers provide their services on a contingency cost basis. This form of compensation means the lawyer will subtract the fees for representing you at the end of the legal process.
You may reach an injury settlement outside of court or earn a damages award after a trial. In either of these cases, your lawyer will receive a percentage of the amount. If you do not receive a beneficial outcome, then the lawyer collects no fees.
A personal injury lawyer like one from Wieand Law Firm, LLC will receive around 33 percent (or one-third) of any settlement or award in most cases. Some contingency cost arrangements offer the attorney a higher amount, between 33 and 40 percent. You can always attempt to negotiate a decreased amount or alternative agreement.
Some lawyers offer a sliding scale contract. With a sliding scale, the contingency cost percentage differs depending on when the attorney resolves your case. For simple matters, you may reach a reasonable settlement without the need for court. In this scenario, the lawyer’s charge percentage may be less than the standard 33 percent. But if your case requires a trial and more extensive work, your attorney may get a higher portion of the settlement. This could be as much as 40 percent.
Sometimes extra expenses come up during the legal process. If so, many lawyers will cover them as they occur and subtract them from your share of the settlement or court award. It’s unusual for a personal injury attorney to charge a client for extra expenses as they happen.
Keep in mind that expenses and costs can get high, especially if your case has to go to court. The attorney’s final percentage with all fees, expenses, and charges might end up totaling between 45 and 60% of the settlement.
Although the costs of retaining a personal injury lawyer are significant, it is still beneficial to have an attorney by your side. Legal counsel can help you understand your claim, properly support it, and earn the compensation you deserve. Reach out to a personal injury lawyer to learn more about your case.
