Lawyer Fees for a Car Accident

Lawyer fees for a car accident aren’t charged on an hourly basis. Personal injury attorneys charge what is known as a ‘contingency fee.’ This means there is no fee unless you win your case, and the fee is a percentage of the amount awarded.

If you have been involved in a car accident and are seeking a car accident attorney in Phoenix, Gage Mathers is ready to represent you. This post will help you understand car accident lawyer fees so you can choose the best path forward. 

No Upfront Fees

Criminal and civil attorneys can charge thousands of dollars whether their client wins or loses. They also require payment upfront before beginning to work on a case. Personal injury attorneys are different–they require no advance payment.

How Does This Work?

If the client does not win their case, the personal injury attorney does not get paid. If the case is won, the lawyer will receive a portion of the settlement as their fee. The fee is negotiated before the client decides to work with the attorney. 

How Much Do Attorneys Take?

The amount the lawyer gets paid is typically a percentage of the amount awarded; the percentage depends on the complexity of a case and the time and effort required. A car accident case in which the fault is clear and a settlement is reached quickly may incur a modest fee, but if the case is very complex and requires a trial, the fee may be higher. Your attorney will discuss this with you during your free consultation.

How Is This Good for a Client?

Client benefits start with a zero-fee consultation. The attorney will sit down with the client to discuss the details of their case. If the attorney decides to take the case, the attorney must spend significant time and effort on it. This motivates the attorney to work as hard as possible to achieve victory in court. 

Honest Answers

A personal injury attorney who believes a case cannot be won may decline to take the case. If the personal injury attorney declines the case, the client may seek the advice of another attorney. If multiple lawyers decline to take the case, the client may realize their case stands little chance of winning.

Understand Costs Before Deciding

Personal injury attorney fees have another advantage–they can typically estimate the settlement amount due to experience with similar cases. By knowing approximate amounts in the beginning and showing the client a fee percentage, the client can have a clearer picture of how much they stand to win.

What to Consider Before Choosing a Car Accident Attorney

During the initial consultation, don’t hesitate to ask questions. It may be helpful to prepare a list of questions in advance. It’s also helpful to remember you can walk away at any time.

Be Comfortable With the Attorney’s Answers

An attorney should make the client feel as comfortable as possible about the case and answer any questions the client may have. If the attorney doesn’t listen to the client’s concerns or doesn’t see the client’s side of the story, the client can walk away. 

Read the Fine Print

To take the case, the lawyer and the client must sign a contract. The contract should clearly list the fees associated with the case. If the case is complex, the lawyer may ask to increase the fee or percentage.

The possibility of any increases in costs or changes to the fee as the case moves forward should be laid out clearly in the contract.

Been in an Accident? Call Gage Mathers

The law says that you should always call the police first after an accident. Your next call should be to a car accident law firm like Gage Mathers. We can advise you on how to speak with the police, guide you through the next steps, and discuss your case.

Our attorneys have been working on car accident cases for more than fifty years and are ready to help you get the money you deserve!

About the Author

Joseph D'Aguanno

Guided by the belief that being a highly skilled specialist in a narrow field is better than being ordinary in everything, Joseph “JD” D’Aguanno leads Arizona’s best personal injury law firm in Phoenix, AZ. Having extensive cross-training in pre-litigation negotiations and trial lawyer skills, with decades of experience, JD strives to provide clients with the most valuable legal services a personal injury lawyer can provide. Under his direction, Gage Mathers Law Group is an award-winning personal injury law firm providing aggressive representation to victims of a car accident, medical malpractice, dog bite, motorcycle accident, and other injurious events. Gage Mathers is trusted by thousands of lawyers and clients throughout the country because of their reputation for getting clients the maximum compensation they deserve.

Years of experience: Over 23 years
Bar number: 020421
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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