It can be challenging to handle a car accident case or other personal injury cases without an attorney. However, when you consider the medical bills you must pay and the lost wages you incurred, paying legal fees might not be within your financial means.
The good news is that our Clearwater personal injury law firm works on a contingency fee basis. What does that mean for you? It means that you can hire personal injury lawyers in Florida without paying legal fees until the case is complete.
What Does It Mean to Work on a Contingency Fee Basis?
Lawyers in Florida charge for their legal services in one of several ways. When you hire a lawyer, they may charge an hourly rate. They bill a specific amount for the time they spend working on your case.
Other lawyers work on a flat rate fee. They quote you the cost to hire them at the beginning of the case, which covers all the time they spend working on that specific legal matter. You pay the fee upfront, and the attorney performs the work.
However, most personal injury attorneys work for a contingency fee. When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you agree to pay the lawyer a percentage of the money the lawyer recovers for your injury claim. The attorney deducts the amount of their attorneys’ fees from the settlement proceeds or jury award.
Therefore, you do not pay any money when you hire a lawyer. The attorney does not get paid until you get paid. If the attorney does not recover money for your case, you do not owe any attorneys’ fees.
What Are the Benefits of Using a Contingency Fee Agreement for Personal Injury Cases?
A contingency fee arrangement benefits the personal injury lawyer and the client. The agreement must meet the requirements in the Florida Rules of Professional Conduct for contingency fees.
Advantages of a contingency fee for personal injury claims include:
Injured Victims Can Afford to Hire a Lawyer
A person might be unable to afford an upfront retainer fee, but they need legal representation after an accident or personal injury. A contingency fee arrangement makes it affordable to hire a personal injury attorney.
Knowing Your Case Has Merit
If an attorney does not win a case, they do not receive payment under a contingency fee agreement. Therefore, personal injury lawyers do not invest time in cases they cannot win. If an attorney takes your case, you know that the lawyer believes your case has merit, and they believe they can recover compensation for your injuries and damages.
No Financial Risk for the Injured Party
Regardless of whether you can afford to hire an attorney, a contingency fee benefits you because it eliminates the financial risk. You do not pay any attorneys’ fees until the lawyer recovers money for your case. If you do not win your case, you are not responsible for the fees for legal services.
An Attorney Has an Incentive to Reach a Favorable Outcome
Your lawyer is paid based on a percentage of what they recover for your personal injury case. The higher the amount recovered, the more money the attorney earns. Therefore, your attorney is vested in ensuring you receive the maximum compensation available for your case.
Is It Worth Hiring a Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyer for My Case?
Our attorneys are straightforward and honest during your initial consultation. We will tell you if we do not believe you would benefit from hiring our law firm.
However, most injury victims benefit from legal representation. Insurance companies use their considerable resources to avoid paying claims. Hiring an accident lawyer gives you the resources to fight back.
Healing from a personal injury can be emotionally and physically challenging. You should not worry about arguing with an insurance adjuster or proving a claim to get the money you deserve. Hiring a lawyer allows you to focus on your recovery.
You Have a Legal Team to Gather Evidence
The injured party has the burden of proving negligence, intentional torts, product liability, premises liability, or other grounds for a personal injury claim. That requires evidence. Evidence in a personal injury case can include the following:
- Accident reports and police reports
- Medical records
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Videos of the accident occurring
- Statements from the parties involved in the case
- Eyewitness statements
- Evidence and opinions from expert witnesses
Each personal injury case is unique. Therefore, there could be other evidence you need to prove your claim. Hiring a personal injury law firm gives you the resources to have your claim investigated by professionals who understand personal injury laws and evidence.
You Know the Correct Value for Your Damages
Insurance companies try to pay the least amount possible to resolve a claim. You cannot rely on the company to tell you the correct value of your damages.
Most personal injury cases involve economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Disabilities and impairments
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Diminished quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Your lawyer calculates the maximum value for all damages you are entitled to receive by law. If the insurance company offers a low settlement amount, your attorney counteroffers for the total value of your damages.
You Have a Skilled Negotiator to Handle Insurance Settlements
Most personal injury cases settle through negotiations with the at-fault party or their insurance provider. Your attorney understands the strengths and weaknesses of your case and how to use those factors to negotiate the best settlement amount for your claim. The insurance company knows the attorney’s experience and success rate, making them less likely to play games.
You Have an Aggressive Legal Advocate Fighting for Your Rights
You are at a disadvantage if you represent yourself in a personal injury case. The insurance company has a team of professionals working to protect its best interests. You are going up against seasoned insurance professionals who know how to take advantage of every situation to protect the insurance company from liability.
When you hire a Florida personal injury law firm, you have a team of legal professionals advocating for your rights. If an insurance company acts in bad faith, your lawyers take legal action to protect your right to a fair settlement for injuries and damages caused by another party’s negligence.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Our Clearwater Personal Injury Lawyers
Your case evaluation is free, and you do not owe any attorneys’ fees until we recover money for your case. You could have much to gain by taking the time to talk with one of our Clearwater personal injury attorneys. Call Roman Austin Car Accident and Personal Injury Lawyers at (727) 787-2500 now to learn how we can help you receive the maximum compensation for your personal injury claim, contact our office to schedule your free consultation.
