Personal Injury FAQs: Do I Have to Pay You to Fight for Me or My Family?

If you or your family have been affected by an accident or personal injury, things can seem overwhelming. There is a lot going on, like finding the right personal injury attorney to fight for you, choosing a doctor, and navigating the insurance and costs for your medical treatment and property damage. You may be wondering how to pay for an attorney. At Matthews Injury Law, we operate on a contingent fee – meaning we do not get paid unless we win your case. Continue reading for more information on the costs associated with hiring a personal injury attorney.

What Exactly is a Contingent Fee?

A “contingent fee” means that the fee is contingent, or dependent, on recovering money for you. Most personal injury and auto accident clients do not have the finances to battle the large insurance companies and corporations on the other side. We operate on a contingent fee to help our client’s level the playing field. And this means we are in the fight together with you, our client, because we only recover our fees and costs if we recover money for you.

Are There Other Fees I Should Expect?

Consultations

A consultation gives you a chance to meet with your prospective lawyer so that they can evaluate the facts and determine whether you have a case. At Matthews Injury Law we offer free consultations to potential clients.

Costs

In addition to the contingency fee, some cases have additional cost considerations. This can take many forms, but typically includes things like legal document filing fees, medical record retrieval, and document copying fees. These fees will vary depending on the amount of your medical treatment and how reasonable the insurance company is in attempting to resolve your claim. If the insurance company refuses to be reasonable and forces us to take your case to court, costs will increase.

However, there are ways that an experienced personal injury attorney can attempt to force the insurance company to pay your costs (and your attorney’s fees). This is something you should discuss with every personal injury attorney that you are considering hiring – have they ever forced the other side to pay their client’s fees or costs?

How Much Should I Expect to Pay for an Attorney?

The amount you will pay for an attorney depends on a variety of factors, including their experience with past cases and tenure as a personal injury lawyer. For more experienced attorneys with a longer, successful track record of results, you may expect to pay more than what you would for someone who is new to the field.  

While you may want to go with the cheapest option, choosing an inexperienced lawyer or a lawyer who wants to give you the best “deal” can lead to delays in your case or lower settlements. The reason is usually relatively simple – if a lawyer is giving a client a “deal” on their fee, they likely either need the money more than their client or they are likely doing the same with hundreds of other clients. This type of practice can work against you as the client in the long run.

The cost of hiring a lawyer is one that that is necessary in order to receive the compensation that is rightfully yours. Before hiring an attorney to represent you, it is paramount to inquire about any and all fees and have a written agreement in place so both parties are fully aware of what is expected.

Dealing with a personal injury is never easy, but by taking these steps you can ensure you are getting the most from your money.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of a personal injury in Florida, contact the tenacious attorneys at Matthews Injury Law by calling 813-530-1000 or 941-877-5800. You can also choose a time that fits your schedule and set up a free consultation by clicking here. One of our attorneys will be in touch shortly after you schedule your appointment.