When you’ve been injured in a car accident caused by someone else’s negligence, the prospect of taking on insurance companies alone can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Further complicating matters, you may be worried about how much it will cost to get help from a Florida car accident lawyer.
Most car accident lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis, but the terms can vary. At Winston Law Firm, our contingency fee structure means you do not pay any upfront costs or attorney fees unless we recover damages for you.
We front the filing fees, case expenses, and legal fees until the successful conclusion of your case. Learn more about how much a car accident lawyer costs and what it may cost you if you choose not to work with an attorney.
What’s a Contingency Fee?
Our Florida personal injury lawyers at Winston Law work on a contingency fee basis. A contingency fee agreement is a typical arrangement where the car accident lawyer’s fees are contingent upon them recovering compensation for you.
If we are unable to obtain a settlement or court award on your behalf, you owe no legal fees whatsoever. The lawyer’s payment is contingent upon actually winning your case.
With a contingency fee, the lawyer receives a predetermined percentage of the total amount recovered, often between 33-40%, depending on whether the case settles out of court or proceeds to trial litigation. This percentage compensates them for:
- Their professional services in developing and litigating the case
- Covering all upfront court fees, filing costs, and case expenses
- Assuming the financial risk
Benefits of Contingency Fees
Because the fee is a percentage of the award, contingency fee lawyers are highly motivated to build the strongest case and exhaustively pursue maximum damages. Other benefits of contingency fee arrangements are that they:
- Provide access to qualified legal representation with $0 upfront costs
- Reduce financial risk for clients already burdened with accident costs
- Protect injury victims from having to pay if the case is unsuccessful
Is Legal Representation Necessary Following a Vehicle Accident?
In minor fender benders with little property damage and no injuries, you may be able to handle the insurance claim process yourself. However, for accidents involving:
- Significant injuries requiring medical treatment
- Disputes over fault, liability, and insurance coverage
- Multiple parties and insurance companies involved
- Unclear extent of future treatment costs and lost income
It’s highly advisable to have an experienced car accident lawyer protecting your rights.
Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side
Insurance companies are motivated to minimize payouts and will use tactics like:
- Delaying payments and dragging out negotiations
- Questioning the cause and severity of your injuries
- Blaming you for being partially negligent
- Pushing for quick settlements before future costs are known
Having legal counsel levels the playing field. We conduct independent investigations, handle communications, negotiate firmly on your behalf, and are prepared to go to trial if a fair settlement can’t be reached.
Personal Injury Law Is Complex
The laws governing accident liability, negligence claims, and insurance requirements in Florida can be exceedingly complex for non-lawyers, especially regarding:
- Statute of limitations filing time limits
- Preserving evidence and documentation
- Calculating future damages like lost earning potential
- Overcoming allegations of comparative negligence
- Seeking compensation from all liable parties
Our lawyers intimately understand these nuances to build the strongest possible case for you.
Why Would a Lawyer Take Your Case Without Upfront Payment?
Unlike many other service providers, personal injury lawyers advance all the upfront costs and financial risks with contingency fees because:
- It ensures injury victims retain access to legal counsel regardless of their current finances
- We are highly confident in being able to obtain a recovery that justifies their fees
- Attorneys understand that most people do not budget for attorneys and nobody plans for an accident
Additionally, reputable law firms vigorously screen potential cases by:
- Evaluating the liability and facts surrounding the accident
- Confirming you have legitimate grounds for a valid claim
- Assessing whether your injuries warrant sufficient case value
Only after determining a case has merit will an attorney assume representation on a contingency fee basis.
Costs and Expenses in a Car Accident Case
Even with a contingency fee agreement where no upfront costs are required, there are still case-related expenses a car accident lawyer may incur while building your claim. These can include fees for:
- Obtaining official police reports, medical records, and other documents
- Hiring expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists or medical professionals
- Conducting depositions and discovery processes
- Filing court fees and legal documentation charges
- Travel expenditures to secure evidence or statement
Your lawyer covers 100% of these costs initially. However, they are reimbursed from your final compensation award or settlement, separate from their contingency fee percentage.
Other Kinds of Car Accident Case Fee Arrangements
While contingency fees are standard for injury cases, some law firms may offer alternate billing arrangements like:
- Hourly Rates: You pay the attorney’s standard hourly rate regardless of the outcome. This is risky unless your case is extremely straightforward.
- Flat Fees: One pre-determined lump sum cost. Difficult to set appropriately for complex injury claims.
- Retainer Fees: An upfront deposit against hourly fees gets depleted as work occurs.
- Hybrid Models: Contingency fees plus smaller hourly or flat fees.
However, for most car accident injury victims, a pure contingency fee basis accessibly provides financial protection while incentivizing your lawyer to maximize your recovery.
Be Mindful of the Cost of Not Hiring a Lawyer
While hesitant to incur legal fees, it’s crucial to weigh the cost of not hiring a car accident lawyer against the invaluable benefits they provide:
- Insurance companies routinely attempt to underpay claims without robust legal advocacy
- You could inadvertently make mistakes jeopardizing your ability to recover full damages
- Calculating future medical costs, lost income, and non-economic losses is extremely complex
- An attorney ensures your long-term interests are fully accounted for and protected
An experienced car accident lawyer will work to maximize your net recovery by obtaining a much higher gross settlement or award amount. An attorney’s involvement frequently increases your final compensation.
Contact a Car Accident Attorney for a Free Consultation
Winston Law offers free, no-obligation consultations. This provides an invaluable opportunity to have your specific accident circumstances professionally evaluated. During the consultation, you can understand the merits and potential value of your injury claim, as well as learn about the legal process for pursuing appropriate compensatory damages.
It also allows you to get answers to any initial questions you may have about fees and the cost of working with a car accident lawyer. We can provide candid feedback about whether it makes sense to formally pursue a claim.
These case reviews are completely risk-free for you, allowing you to make an informed decision while under no pressure or obligation. Contact us today.
