How Expensive Is It To Hire a Car Accident Lawyer in Texas?
Have you been involved in a car accident in Galveston, TX? If so, you might wonder whether you should hire a car accident lawyer. You might think you cannot afford to hire a car accident attorney, but that’s not the case.
The good news is that most Galveston car accident lawyers (including our lawyers) accept cases for a contingency fee. Instead of paying a considerable retainer fee when you hire a lawyer, you pay the attorney their fees after they win your case. Let’s look at contingency fees and how they help you afford the legal representation you need after a car crash.
Why Do I Need To Hire a Galveston Car Accident Lawyer Instead of Handling the Claim Myself?
Let’s be honest. A minor car accident claim with very little damages, injuries that heal in a few weeks, and no disputes regarding fault or liability might not require the assistance of an attorney. However, very few car accident cases fall into that category.
Insurance adjusters rush to gather evidence to protect their insurance company from liability, even though the adjuster might give you the impression they are helping you. Insurance companies have endless resources to fight your claim. They also have highly skilled, experienced professionals who know how to use tricks and tactics to undervalue and deny claims.
Hiring a car accident attorney levels the playing field. You now have a team of attorneys and legal professionals working to protect your best interest. They have the resources, legal expertise, and skills to go up against the largest insurance companies.
An attorney handles all aspects of your car accident case, including:
- Investigating the cause of the crash
- Gather evidence proving your claim
- Determining how much your case is worth
- Filing insurance claims
- Documenting damages
- Hiring expert witnesses, when necessary
- Defending you against allegations of blame and contributory fault
- Monitor statutes of limitations (filing deadlines)
- Negotiate a fair settlement
- File a lawsuit and take your case to trial
Insurance companies prefer you handle the case without a lawyer. They can take advantage of your lack of experience and knowledge about personal injury claims to pay you less than your claim is worth. Don’t let an insurance company convince you that seeking legal advice about your car accident claim is not worth your time.
Contingency Fees Make It Affordable To Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Galveston, TX
A contingency fee agreement states that you will not pay any attorney’s fees upfront. Instead, you agree to pay your attorney a percentage of the money they recover for your case. In the unlikely event the attorney does not win your case, you do not owe any attorney’s fees.
You might wonder why an attorney would be willing to take such a risk. If they don’t win your case, they don’t get paid.
When a lawyer takes a car accident case for a contingency fee, the attorney believes in the merits of the case. The lawyer believes they can win the case and recover just compensation for your economic and non-economic damages. In other words, the attorney is confident they will be paid because you will receive money for your personal injury claim.
How Much Does an Attorney in Galveston Charge for a Contingency Fee for a Car Accident Case?
Contingency fees typically range from 30% to 40%, depending on several factors. The average contingency fee for a standard car accident case is generally 33% of the amount recovered.
However, attorneys may not charge the same contingency fee in every case. Furthermore, the contingency fee may increase if the parties refuse to negotiate a fair settlement and you choose to take your case to trial.
Factors that could impact the percentage for a contingency fee in a car accident case include, but are not limited to:
- The complexity of the car accident case
- The parties involved in the case
- The statute of limitations for your case (i.e., is the deadline soon approaching?)
- The amount of compensation expected to be recovered
- The amount of time and resources the attorney expects the case to require
- Whether the attorney must file a lawsuit to settle the case or go to trial to win the case
Generally, there is no standard or universal contingency fee that all attorneys charge. Other factors that could impact the contingency fee include the lawyer’s track record of winning cases, experience, skills, education, and geographic location.
What Else Do I Need To Know About Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer in Galveston, TX?
Even though the attorney’s fees are paid at the end of the case, there could be costs incurred during the case. Examples of costs of the case include, but are not limited to:
- Filing fees
- Postage
- Travel costs
- Investigations
- Deposition costs
- Fees to obtain records
Generally, law firms pay these costs as they are incurred. The firm is reimbursed for the costs from the proceeds of the case. However, you should always discuss payment of costs when you discuss attorney’s fees to ensure you understand your obligation for these expenses.
If you are unsure whether you need to hire a car accident attorney in Galveston, take advantage of a free consultation to talk with an attorney. Get information and legal advice about your options and then decide what is best for your situation.
Contact the Texas Car Accident Lawyers of The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
Please contact an experienced car accident lawyer at The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers to get a free initial consultation today. We have offices in Friendswood and Galveston, Texas. Call us at (281) 992-8633.
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers – Galveston
2101 Mechanic St. Suite 253
Galveston, TX 77550
The Law Firm of Alton C. Todd Personal Injury Lawyers
312 S. Friendswood Dr.
Friendswood, TX 77546
