In this article you will find out How Much Does a Personal Injury Attorney Cost?, how to find an affordable attorney, and some things to think about before hiring one.
When you’re in the middle of a personal injury case and dealing with all the stress, one of the last things on your mind should be how much it’s going to cost. But when it comes time to settle out of court or go before a judge, you want someone who won’t break your bank. That’s why this article is so important.
Why You Should Hire an Experienced Lawyer
In any personal injury case, you will benefit by hiring a lawyer who has been in the business for a while. Even if your injury is minor, the decision to hire a lawyer is not one that should be taken lightly. A seasoned personal injury lawyer is usually the best person to decide whether or not you have a valid case, and if so, how much it will cost.
Old School Personal Injury Lawyers vs. New School Personal Injury Attorneys
There are some people who think that all personal injury lawyers are the same. They use the old saying, “Don’t hire a lawyer, go to law school.” To the new school lawyer, this is pure hogwash. The sad fact is, while there are some good lawyers out there and bright litigators who do a fine job every day and don’t make mistakes, there are also many bad ones.
The old school personal injury lawyers come across as overbearing and confrontational. When they win, the client doesn’t win big. They are no fun to be around and give off a very serious air of arrogance. The old school attorney is more focused on money than justice and in every way seems to think that he or she is above the law and isn’t bound by it. For those reasons, you should steer clear of these types of attorneys, no matter how good your case might be.
On the other hand, there are some new school personal injury attorneys and litigators who have chosen law as their profession due to a desire to help people. They are not only smart, but they care. They get involved in each case and fight tooth and nail on behalf of their clients. While their cases may not be as huge or lucrative as those handled by the old school attorneys you see on TV, these new school lawyers still do everything they can to make sure that their clients get a fair settlement.
Sometimes the old school personal injury lawyer is the better choice. But in many cases, their history of bad judgment and nasty attitudes can be major roadblocks to a fair result for you.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
It can be hard to put an exact price tag on what it costs to hire a lawyer. And for good reason—there are so many factors involved in hiring a lawyer that they are hard to compare.
Factors That Raise Personal Injury Costs
There are some things that can make a personal injury lawyer’s costs seem higher than they really are. Smaller firms will charge you less, but they may be less experienced and have a smaller case load. On the other hand, large firms may not be as concerned about your individual case as they are making money. They may be more concerned with the amount of money they make in a month or how many cases they can settle in one day. Can you blame them? An attorney’s salary is paid in part based on their production.
Another example of a cost that will increase your bill is if you get lost along the way. If you start dealing with more than one person, it will become more confusing and time consuming, which will lead to higher costs. If your case goes to court, there will be more legal work that needs to be done. And if you hire an attorney who fails to give you the attention and personal attention you deserve, it could lead to a lot of additional fees.
Your Injury Costs Will Vary by City
Costs are relatively low in some cities compared to others. If you’re looking for an attorney in Lansing, MI, for example, you can find a very reputable one who will charge between $50 and $100 per hour. However, if you hire a lawyer in New York City to handle your personal injury case there, the hourly cost is usually about $200.
What Factors Help Keep Costs Low?
However, not every city is the same. There are some great places to find lawyers who will charge you less than $100 per hour. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you want a low cost for your lawyer:
A small town lawyer who doesn’t get paid based on the size of his or her client’s injury. They don’t need to be as large a firm because there isn’t that much work to be done. They may charge you less, but they will still get paid the same as a big firm.
A young lawyer who is still under contract with his or her previous firm. If he hasn’t been with the firm for too long, he may not be making that much money.
A lawyer who is not charging by the hour. Some lawyers charge a flat fee for a certain kind of case or a flat rate for specific services. For example, an attorney could tell you that it costs $5,000 to settle your case and do all the research needed to establish your medical bills and lost wages.
Can You Hire a Personal Injury Attorney Without Any Cost?
Indeed, this is possible. In fact, most reputable personal injury attorneys prefer to work in this way. In this method, you agree over a percentage over the compensation. Usually, most personal injury attorneys request thirty-three percent of the award or settlement. This will help you to hire an attorney without any cost.
