If you are already sitting on a stack of medical bills and other expenses, all waiting to be paid, it is only natural to worry about how much it will cost to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. The good news is that some motorcycle accident lawyers will not ask you for a dime upfront and can start working on your case without charging attorney’s fees.
Personal injury attorneys typically recover their fee when they win a case, and their client receives compensation. While every attorney sets their own fees, the costs of hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer can be around 30 percent of a final settlement.
The Cost of Legal Fees Can Be Worth It
While this can seem like a considerable amount, consider that an attorney’s goal is to get you the best possible result. Victims without adequate legal protection risk leaving money on the table when it comes to motorcycle accident claims.
When you first consult with a law firm, make sure to enquire about their firm’s fee structure. While many personal injury lawyers work on a “no win no fee basis”, not all do. You may also be responsible for miscellaneous expenses, such as upfront court fees.
However, a motorcycle accident lawyer from our firm can advise you on all potential out-of-pocket costs for filing a lawsuit.
Contingency-fee Arrangements
Personal injury lawyers typically, although not always, work with so-called “contingency agreements.” The American Bar Association (ABA) notes that most lawyers agree to accept a fixed percentage of the final settlement amount, typically one-third. If the plaintiff (the person bringing the claim) wins their case, the lawyer will receive their fee.
However, if the plaintiff loses, they are not responsible for paying any lawyer’s fees whatsoever.
Contingency fees can be advantageous for clients since the attorney takes all the financial risk. You will not have to pay a lawyer if you do not recover a settlement, even if they spent many hours working on your claim.
Hourly Fees and Retainers
Some personal injury attorneys work with retainers. In this case, a lump sum payment required by the attorney before they start working on your case. However, accident victims must be careful when entering such an agreement, as the retainer could be non-refundable or partially non-refundable. The size of retainers could easily run into several thousand dollars.
Some personal injury lawyers prefer to work for an hourly fee and bill clients for the time they spend on a case. The hourly fee, which can be several hundred dollars per hour depending on the attorney, will be billed regardless of whether the lawyer wins or loses the claim.
Reasons for Avoiding Hourly Fees and Retainers
When a firm or attorney receives upfront payment for a personal injury claim, no matter whether they ultimately win or lose, you could rightfully question how much of a stake they have in the success of your claim. Contrast this with an attorney who works on a contingency agreement and stands to lose time, effort, and money when they lose your claim.
Costs and Damages in Motorcycle Accident Claims
Motorcycle accident claims can be hugely expensive. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), motorcycle crashes in 2010 alone amounted to $16 billion in combined expenses for emergency services, medical expenses, property damage, loss of wages, and other costs. However, when it comes to recovering their due from the at-fault party’s insurance company, victims can run into problems potentially leaving them out of pocket.
A motorcycle accident lawyer with our firm can help victims pursue the compensation they deserve. Putting a figure on an average motor vehicle accident’s worth can be challenging. A victim can potentially seek the following damages, as well as others:
- Medical costs and future medical expenses
- Income losses
- Transport costs
- Household services
- Pain and suffering
- Reduction of life quality
We Work on Contingency
Taking another driver to court can feel overwhelming. You may be overwhelmed with the legal process as you attempt to focus on your recovery. However, help is available at no up-front cost.
We work on a contingency fee agreement, so you do not have to pay any out-of-pocket attorney’s fees. We can handle your case while you focus on resting, healing, and spending time with your loved ones.
Call the Attorneys at Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices Now for a Free Case Review
We have helped other victims of accidents recover millions of dollars. Our team can help you pursue the compensation that you deserve. Call Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices today and take advantage of a free, no-obligation consultation to determine whether you have a claim. Call us at (888) 522-6291.