06 Mar How Much Does A Car Accident Lawyer Cost?
Being involved in a car accident can often be a traumatic and sometimes life-altering experience for those who are unfortunate enough to fall victim to this type of incident. Many times, the aftermath of a car accident can turn a person’s life upside-down, and worrying about whether or not you can afford a car accident lawyer should not contribute to this stressful experience.
This is why our car accident attorneys at Sette Law are proud to work on a contingent fee basis, allowing you to focus on your injuries while we handle the legal side of things. By retaining Sette Law to represent you in your car accident matters, you won’t have to worry about payment until the case is settled.
How Do Injury Attorneys Get Paid?
Personal injury attorneys typically get paid by clients on a contingency fee basis, meaning you do not have to pay any legal fees until the case has been settled. Contingency fees benefit clients as they will not have to worry about paying any hourly or upfront fees, thus alleviating you to focus more on your recovery.
If you have been injured in a car accident, Sette Law is ready to help.
Contingency Fee Structure
A contingency fee is structured to ensure that you, as the client, do not have to pay any legal fees until your case settles or is won at a trial. Simply put, the payment is “contingent” on your success in the case.
What Percentage Does A Car Accident Lawyer Get?
It’s important to understand the different percentages an attorney may be entitled to retain based on the contingency fee, as this amount may not be standard across the board.
The percentage that a car accident attorney may be awarded from a contingency fee may depend upon a few factors and can vary between jurisdictions. However, it’s usually safe to assume that a contingency fee will likely fall within the range of 30% to 40% of the final settlement. Our car accident attorneys at Sette Law are eager to discuss this information with you to give you a thorough understanding of what you may anticipate for your case.
What Factors Contribute To A Higher Settlement Amount?
There are many factors that contribute to a higher settlement amount in a personal injury case. Since there are so many factors to take into consideration when handling a personal injury case, it’s unsurprising that these factors subsequently impact the settlement amount as well.
For example, a person who sustained a catastrophic injury from a car accident is likely to require more medical attention and incur significantly greater damages than a person who suffered a minor injury in a fender bender. As such, the court considers all of these factors when determining a car accident victim’s settlement amount, resulting in more severe cases reaching higher settlement amounts.
While plenty of factors can come into play in a car accident case, some types of damages remain consistent in settlement awards across the board. Some of the most important factors that are taken into consideration in a personal injury case when determining the settlement amount include the following:
- Seriousness and nature of the injuries: As mentioned in the example above, a catastrophic injury that results in permanent damage, lifelong medical bills, an inability to work, and more damages will likely be awarded a higher settlement value given the amount of loss and suffering the victim has endured
- Medical costs: As with any personal injury case, medical bills can add up quickly, so if a plaintiff in a car accident case has incurred a substantial amount of medical expenses as a result of the accident, it is likely that they will be compensated the same
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- Time required for ongoing medical appointments: Future medical treatment is a common factor in determining a settlement in any personal injury claim. A plaintiff anticipating lifelong medical treatment will subsequently require a higher compensation to help assist in continuing the necessary care they require.
- Loss of work: Unfortunately for many personal injury victims, the injuries incurred result in their inability to return to work, which creates an additional financial burden for which they require compensation. If an accident has left a plaintiff permanently unable to work, the settlement award will certainly take that loss of income into account and be higher than the settlement amount of a different plaintiff who may have only missed a few days of work following their accident.
What Happens If You Lose Your Case?
While a contingency fee sounds like you will walk away without having to pay anything in the event of a lost settlement, it’s important to understand that there are standard fees that will need to be paid for on your end, regardless of whether you win or lose. These standard fees typically include obtaining evidence, expert witnesses, court fees, filing fees, and discovery costs.
If You Have Been Injured In A Car Accident, Sette Law Is Here To Help
Our experienced car accident attorneys at Sette Law understand the difficulties and stress of being involved in a car accident, let alone a personal injury lawsuit. We are here to help you navigate the legal landscape of Sacramento car accident cases by guiding you from every aspect of communicating with insurance adjusters and all the way through trial. Whether you are seeking to file a lawsuit on behalf of yourself or are looking for assistance with the potential lawsuit of a family member, Sette Law can help you determine what your legal needs may be.
Regardless of whether you have been involved in a minor car accident, such as a fender bender, or are recovering from a large-scale accident that led to catastrophic injuries, the experienced legal team at Sette Law is eager to ensure you receive the maximum compensation and proper justice you deserve for your car accident injuries.
Call Sette Law for your free consultation today.
Sources:
Contingent Fee Definition.
Goguen, D. What is the Standard Contingency Fee for a Car Accident Lawyer?
Lee, C. What Is a Contingency Fee?