Every car accident case is different, so there’s no average cost to hire a car accident lawyer in San Antonio, Texas. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that they receive a percentage of the money they recover, so the amount you pay is tied directly to the results they achieve. Here are the basics you need to know about this legal concept.
Contingency Fees
Contingency fee arrangements allow people to secure legal services immediately, but they don’t have to pay for them until they recover compensation. Rather than paying an hourly fee, clients pay their attorneys out of their settlement or court award. The contingency is a percentage that the lawyer and client agree on.
There is no standard contingency fee rate. Lawyers in Texas can consider various factors when they determine reasonable fees, such as:
- The complexity of the case
- The lawyer’s experience and reputation
- The likelihood of success
- Whether taking the case would prevent the lawyer from taking other cases
Some lawyers charge different rates based on whether the case results in a settlement, requires a lawsuit to be filed, had to go to trial, or has to be appealed, increasing the percentage at each threshold.
Contingency fee arrangements can be risky for lawyers because they accept a case with no guarantee that they will be paid for their work. They could wind up investing considerable resources into a case only to get nothing from it. For this reason, San Antonio personal injury lawyers can be selective about the cases they accept, as they don’t want to work for free.
Here’s how a contingency fee arrangement might work. You are injured in an accident. Your attorney obtains a settlement for $100,000. You have agreed to a contingency fee of 33%. Your attorney receives $33,000 for their fees, and you get the remainder (less any legal costs, outstanding liens, or other expenses).
Legal Costs
In addition to attorney fees, you may also be responsible for the costs associated with handling your San Antonio trucking accident claim, such as:
- Accident report retrieval fees
- Medical record request fees
- Investigation expenses
- Postage costs
- Court costs
- Court reporter fees
- Expert witness fees
- Travel expenses
Different attorneys handle these additional costs differently, with some requiring the client to pay them upfront, while others pay them and are then reimbursed for them when your case settles or you win a court award. Your contingency fee outlines how these legal costs are handled, including whether these costs are deducted before or after your lawyer charges their percentage fee.
Contact George Salinas Injury Lawyers to Learn More
At George Salinas Injury Lawyers, we believe in transparent pricing. We discuss the payment structure with you upfront, explaining both attorney fees and legal costs. We clearly outline our cut if we take your case and secure a favorable outcome. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.