If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may consider hiring a lawyer to secure the compensation you deserve. However, one question holding you back might be: how much does a personal injury lawyer cost?
The good news is that most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so you don’t have to pay anything upfront. Keep reading to learn more about how contingency fees work and why hiring a Dallas personal injury lawyer is a smart investment in your case.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
When a personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, it means their fee is contingent on the outcome of your case. If they secure a settlement or court award for you, they receive a percentage of that money as their fee. You don’t owe the lawyer anything if you don’t receive compensation.
Contingency fees are the most common way personal injury attorneys get paid because they allow injury victims to get quality legal representation without paying out of pocket. Lawyers work hard on your case because they only get paid if you win.
A contingency fee can vary depending on the difficulty of your case and when it gets resolved. For example, some lawyers charge a lower percentage if your case settles before filing a lawsuit and a higher percentage if it goes to trial. Discuss the lawyer’s contingency fee structure in your initial consultation so you understand exactly what to expect.
Are There Any Other Legal Fees?
In addition to the contingency fee, there are some other costs associated with a personal injury case that you may be responsible for.
These include:
- Court filing fees
- Costs of obtaining medical records and police reports
- Expert witness fees, if needed, to prove your case
- Postage and copying costs
Many personal injury lawyers will cover these costs upfront and then deduct them from your settlement in addition to their contingency fee. Others may expect you to pay these fees as they come up.
Again, this is something to discuss with the lawyer in your initial consultation. Most lawyers understand that personal injury victims often struggle financially and will work with you to make the process as affordable.
What About a Retainer Fee?
A retainer fee is an upfront payment to a lawyer to secure their services. This is more common in other areas of law like family law or criminal defense. With personal injury cases, it is very rare for a lawyer to charge a retainer fee since they are already taking on the financial risk of your case by working on contingency.
If a personal injury lawyer wants a retainer fee, that can be a red flag that they aren’t completely confident in your case. You may want to look for a different lawyer willing to work purely on contingency.
A Personal Injury Attorney Can Investigate Your Case
Proving liability is key to the success of your personal injury case. A lawyer will launch an immediate investigation to gather critical evidence like:
- Police or incident reports
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Photos or surveillance video of the accident scene
- Analysis from expert witnesses like accident reconstructionists
This evidence will help build a strong case and put you in the best position to secure maximum compensation.
A Lawyer Can Accurately Calculate Your Damages
Many injury victims underestimate the true value of their case. They may only consider their current medical bills and lost income, not realizing they can also get compensated for future medical expenses, lost earning capacity, pain and suffering, and more.
A personal injury lawyer will identify all the damages you’ve suffered and calculate the full value of your claim. Common damages in a personal injury case include:
Past and Future Medical Expenses
Medical bills are usually the largest component of a personal injury settlement. A lawyer will gather all your medical records and bills related to the accident, including:
- Ambulance and ER bills
- Hospital stays
- Doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Medical equipment like crutches or a wheelchair
Your lawyer will also consult with medical professionals to determine your prognosis and anticipated future medical needs. This can include ongoing doctor visits, surgeries, lifelong medications, and in-home care. By accounting for future medical expenses, your lawyer will ensure your settlement fully covers the cost of your accident-related medical care.
Lost Income and Loss of Future Earnings
Injuries often force victims to miss work while they recover. You are entitled to compensation for those lost paychecks. Your lawyer will document your missed work days and calculate your lost earnings based on your normal pay rate.
If your injuries result in a permanent disability that impacts your ability to work, you can also claim loss of future earning capacity. Your Dallas personal injury lawyer may consult vocationalists to determine how your injuries will affect your career options and lifetime earning potential. Your damages demand will include any future income you lose due to your impairments.
Pain and Suffering
Not all injuries are visible. The physical pain, emotional trauma, and daily struggles caused by an accident can be some of the most impactful damages. Though it can be hard to put a dollar figure on these subjective damages, an experienced lawyer will know how to quantify your pain and suffering by considering factors like:
- Severity and permanence of your injuries
- Amount of medical treatment required
- Impact on your daily activities
- Emotional effects like depression, anxiety, or PTSD
- Any scarring or disfigurement
Pain and suffering are often the second largest component of a personal injury settlement after medical bills. In some cases, pain and suffering damages can be several times larger than the economic damages.
Emotional Distress
Accidents are traumatic experiences. It’s common for injury victims to suffer emotional distress like depression, anxiety, sleep disturbances, loss of appetite, mood swings, and more. In serious cases, accident victims develop PTSD and experience flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, and avoidance behaviors.
These emotional injuries can be just as debilitating as the physical pain. Treatment often requires regular therapy and long-term medication. Your lawyer will include the cost of mental health treatment and the intangible impact of emotional distress in your damages claim.
Loss of Enjoyment of Life
An injury can rob you of the ability to participate in hobbies and activities you once loved. Someone who enjoyed playing sports cannot after a devastating injury. A parent cannot play with their kids like they used to. Even basic tasks like showering, dressing, and cooking may become painful.
This is a “loss of enjoyment of life” in legal terms. Your lawyer will fight for compensation for these very real losses. No amount of money can give you back the parts of your life the accident took away, but it can help provide some solace and financial security for the future.
Loss of Consortium
Injuries don’t just affect the victim – they can put a major strain on the victim’s marriage and family. A spouse may have to take on caregiving duties and shoulder more household responsibilities. Intimate relations often suffer. This loss of services, companionship, and physical intimacy is known as the “loss of consortium.”
In many states, the spouse of an injured person can bring a separate claim for loss of consortium damages. These damages compensate the spouse for the intangible yet significant losses to the marital relationship. Your lawyer can advise if your spouse has a loss of consortium claim and help calculate those damages.
Accurate and well-documented damages demand is crucial to negotiating a fair settlement. Insurance companies often try to exploit unrepresented claimants by making lowball settlement offers. An experienced lawyer will know how much your case is truly worth and fight for every dollar you deserve.
A Personal Injury Attorney Handles the Legal Process
The legal process for a personal injury claim can be confusing and time-consuming. It involves many strict deadlines, confusing paperwork, and a lot of back-and-forth negotiation with the insurance company. One small mistake can derail your entire case.
A personal injury lawyer deals with this daily process and can take the burden off your shoulders. They will:
- File your claim properly and on time
- Handle all communication and negotiation with the insurance company
- Keep your case moving forward while you focus on your recovery
- Prepare your case for trial if the insurance company won’t make a fair offer
Having a lawyer handle the stressful legal process lets you focus on your health and get your life back on track.
How Do I Choose the Right Personal Injury Lawyer?
Not all personal injury attorneys are created equal. To find the right one for your case, look for someone who:
Has Experience With Your Specific Type of Injury or Accident
Personal injury law covers a wide range of cases. You want a lawyer who has specific experience handling cases like yours. They will know the unique legal issues, common defense tactics, and typical settlement values. Don’t be afraid to ask about their track record with your type of case.
Has a Track Record of Success Winning Cases Like Yours
Experience is important, but results are what matter most. Look for a lawyer with a history of securing high-dollar settlements and verdicts for clients with similar injuries and accidents. You can ask about their average settlement amount, largest recovery, and success rate. Many lawyers also share client testimonials and case results on their websites.
Is Ready and Willing to Take Your Case to Trial If Needed
While most personal injury cases settle out of court, you need a lawyer who isn’t afraid to go to trial if the insurance company won’t make a fair offer. Some lawyers quickly accept lowball settlements because they don’t have the skills or resources for litigation. Ensure your lawyer has a proven track record in the courtroom and is ready to fight for you until the end.
Makes You Feel Comfortable, Respected, and Heard
Your personal injury lawyer will be your advocate and advisor during a difficult time. You should feel comfortable opening up to them about your situation and confident they can represent your best interests. In your consultation, notice if the lawyer listens to you without interrupting, asks engaged questions, and explains things in a way you can understand. You should leave feeling heard and respected.
Communicate clearly and Frequently About the Status of Your Case.
The legal process can be long and confusing. You want a lawyer who will guide you through each step and keep you regularly updated on the status of your case. Ask how often you can expect to hear from your lawyer and their preferred communication method. Will they call you directly or send updates through a paralegal? Make sure their communication style aligns with your needs.
Is Accessible and Responsive to Your Questions and Concerns
Lawyers are busy, but you should never feel like an afterthought. Your lawyer should make time to thoroughly address your questions and concerns. You can contact them or a responsive staff member within a reasonable timeframe. If you sense your lawyer is dodging your calls or emails now, that’s unlikely to get better once they have your case.
What if I Can’t Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer?
If the cost of hiring an attorney is holding you back, remember that most work on contingency, so you only pay if you win. Contingency fees make quality legal representation accessible to everyone, regardless of their financial situation.
Rather than asking if you can afford to hire a personal injury lawyer, the better question may be, can you afford not to? Without a lawyer, you risk missing out on the compensation you desperately need and deserve after an injury that wasn’t your fault. Plus, you get so much more than just legal representation when you hire a lawyer – you get an advocate and advisor during one of the most difficult times in your life.
Call a Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in an accident, don’t hesitate to call an experienced personal injury lawyer for a free consultation. They can evaluate your case, answer your questions, and discuss your options for pursuing compensation.
Remember, having a skilled legal advocate on your side means you have nothing to lose and potentially lots to gain. Call now and let a Dallas personal injury lawyer fight for your deserved justice.
