How Much Will a Connecticut Car Accident Lawyer Cost You?

Car Accidents On Thursday, June 25, 2020

You might think you have already spent enough on your car accident. The average car crash results in hospital and medical bills, property repair costs, the price of a rental car, and lost wages from missed work. Before you see a car accident lawyer as another expense, however, explore the cost benefits of hiring one. An attorney could help you achieve higher compensation for your damages to replace the money you have already lost. The right car accident lawyer in Connecticut can lead to significant savings if you have a serious crash case.

What it Means When a Law Firm Says it Operates on a Contingency Fee Basis

Most personal injury and car accident law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. This describes a specific type of legal fee arrangement that makes representation affordable. With a contingency fee arrangement, you will not pay your lawyer upfront for services. You will not have a retainer fee or any money upfront for a consultation, investigation or claims filing. You will only have to pay if and when your lawyer succeeds in obtaining financial compensation on your behalf for your auto accident.

At a law firm that offers services on contingency, your attorney will start your car accident claim now and bill you later. You will only see a bill for attorney’s fees if your lawyer secures you a settlement or jury verdict in Connecticut. If your lawyer cannot obtain compensation for your car accident, you will not pay anything for the services already rendered. You may not obtain a compensatory award, but you will also not have to deal with attorney’s fees on top of the expenses you already owe. Contingency fees take the risk out of pursuing compensation with assistance from a lawyer. Keep in mind, however, there may still be some associated fees, such as filing fees and expert witness expenses.

If your car accident lawyer does win your case, you will pay his or her legal fees directly from the compensatory award won. Your lawyer will deduct payment from your settlement or verdict based on a previously agreed-upon rate, in the form of a percentage of the total amount. You will pay your lawyer a portion of your compensatory award rather than having to afford legal fees out of pocket. The percentage your attorney keeps depends on the law firm, lawyer and your specific case. You and your lawyer will work out a payment arrangement before you sign a contract.

How a Lawyer Can Help With Serious Car Accident Cases in Connecticut

It can be important to hire a lawyer after a serious or catastrophic car accident in Connecticut. Auto insurance companies often do not treat these claims fairly. An insurance company may try to save money on your claim by making it unnecessarily difficult to settle. The insurance claims adjuster might unfairly deny your claim, for example, or offer much less than the total amount of your damages. You could be at risk of settling your claim for far less than your injuries deserve if you negotiate without assistance from an attorney.

Hiring a lawyer, on the other hand, can give you the power to demand fair and full compensation for all your losses from an insurance company. An insurer will instantly take you and your case more seriously after you hire an attorney. The insurer may offer a higher settlement award when dealing with your lawyer, who can use aggressive negotiation strategies to obtain maximum results. A lawyer will know how to deal with insurance companies to secure a better final award amount than you might have received on your own.

If settlement negotiations do not obtain fair compensation, a car accident lawyer can take your case to trial in Connecticut. Although it is true that a lawyer could secure greater compensation during an insurance claim than an unrepresented crash victim, not all cases require legal representation. If you have a minor car accident case, it may be more appropriate to represent yourself. Speak to a car accident lawyer in Connecticut to find out if your case could benefit from an attorney. A lawyer from Loughlin FitzGerald, P.C. can give you trusted advice that aligns with your budget and goals at no upfront costs.

request your free consultation
*FIELD REQUIRED
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.