Many events in life necessitate the need for an attorney. Whether it is filing for divorce, drafting a will, starting a business, filing for bankruptcy, and seeking asylum or immigration, among others.
Personal injury victims also need legal professionals specializing in car accidents, workplace accidents, fire incidents, and more. The biggest concern for most people when hiring an attorney is the cost.
Because of the myths and misconceptions about how lawyers work, many people believe that retaining the services of an experienced attorney is not only difficult but also expensive. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially for personal injury attorneys.
Most beliefs about hiring an attorney for a personal injury case are misplaced. To answer this question and help you understand how payment for a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer works, please read through this guide. For any questions, don’t hesitate to fill out our online contact form, and our attorneys will contact you.
First Things First: Initial Consultation Is Free
Before hiring a personal injury attorney, your priority is to consult about their services, costs, and what to expect in your case. At this moment, you already have a lot on your plate: treatment to focus on, lost wages from missed work, ballooning medical expenses, and so on. Therefore, the last thing you want is to incur extra charges for a consultation.
Luckily, our personal injury attorneys in Sana Fe do not collect any fee for initial consultation. We understand the financial implications of a severe injury and don’t want to add to your burden.
We give you an opportunity to understand your case and get all the answers you need regarding your rights and legal options. This way, you get a professional understanding of where your case stands, your eligibility for compensation, and the damages you may claim.
How Your Attorney Gets Paid
After finding the right attorney, everything comes down to getting your case started. Of course, this comes at a cost for investigating the circumstances of your injuries, determining fault, gathering and preserving evidence, visiting the accident scene, working with investigative authorities, meeting with experts, and filing legal paperwork and fees.
You will enter into a formal agreement with your lawyer by signing an agreement referred to as a “retention agreement.” It states the specifics of your attorney-client relationship, the services the attorney is to provide, and the terms of payment for the services.
The Contingency Fee Arrangement
The most important thing you should know is that most personal injury attorneys take up cases on a contingency fee arrangement.
They only receive payment for their legal services if and when they obtain a monetary recovery for their clients. They retain a percentage of the settlement as attorney’s fees. The exact figure is usually discussed during consultation.
Once your attorney agrees to take up your case on a contingency, they will incur all legal costs associated with your case upfront. At the end of the process, you will be obligated to pay these expenses as agreed. Again, you only pay for these costs if you win.
They include:
- Court fees
- Expert testimony expenses
- Paperwork costs
- Administrative costs
- Investigation expenses
- Trial preparation costs
The biggest takeaway in contingency fee arrangement is that the risk of litigation in personal injury cases is shifted from the client to their legal team. The client gets an opportunity to obtain legal counsel freely and without hidden fees. If the process is unsuccessful, the client can walk away without paying a cent to their attorney.
Because your personal injury attorney only gets paid if your case is won and settled, they are usually careful about the injury cases they take up. Your case will be thoroughly reviewed to ensure that they have a fighting chance.
If your case is accepted after initial consultation, it often means that you have a high chance of winning. Whether your injuries stemmed from an oil rig explosion, an auto wreck, a workplace accident, a defective product, a truck accident, or medical malpractice, it is usually a good sign when a lawyer accepts your case.
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Contact Us Today for a Free Consultation
You can get the strengths and weaknesses of your personal injury case by speaking with our team today. Our free consultation lets you know whether you are eligible for compensation. If so, our team will handle your case without asking for retainer fees or upfront costs.
Call us today to speak with our team and learn more about how payment for a Santa Fe personal injury lawyer works.
Call or text (832) 346-9585 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
