What You Need to Know About Personal Injury Attorneys
If you've been injured you may need to find an attorney to help you get a fair personal injury settlement. But where do you find a good attorney you can trust? What should you expect? What questions do you ask?
A good personal injury lawyer brings a lot to the table: knowledge of the legal game, support staff to process paperwork, experience negotiating, etc.
But they will also take a substantial amount of any settlement awarded to you. This is known as a contingency fee. It's usually 33.3% of your final settlement, but it can increase to 40% if your case goes to trial.
Contingency Fee Agreements and Attorney Compensation
Your lawyer's fees will vary depending on your location and the facts of your case. Generally you should expect the contingency fee to be about 33.3% of your final settlement - that's after expenses are taken off the top.
There are times when negotiating your attorney's fees is appropriate, but it's not always possible.
You should know it's not absolutely necessary to hire an attorney for your personal injury claim. It really depends. If you just want to file a claim and your case is relatively straightforward, then you might be able to "go it alone." This approach could save you a significant amount of money.
Filing Personal Injury Claims Yourself vs. Hiring an Attorney
Deciding whether or not you need a personal injury lawyer can be a tough decision. Learn the types of claims you can probably handle on your own, and those you'll definitely need a licensed personal injury attorney for.
But if you're like most people you're not even considering the prospect of handling your own case. So naturally you're going to want to find an attorney to handle everything.
Choosing an Injury Attorney: The Right Lawyer for Your Case
Finding a personal injury lawyer isn't always easy. If you need a lawyer you should do more than simply look one up in the phone book or do an online search. We'll show you the things to look out for and the questions to ask to make sure you get the right attorney for your case.
Learn how to Track Your Lawyer's Time & Progress
If you do hire an attorney, you should know how to stay on top of their progress. Just waiting around for months on end with no word on how your case is progressing can drive you crazy.
Find a local personal injury lawyer in our directory:
How Much Is Your Case Worth?
- Quick, safe and confidential
- A professional law firm will evaluate your case
- There's no obligation, it's just an honest review
- Don't lose money for your injuries, get expert advice... free!
Ask an Attorney Question
-Include the U.S. state where the injury occurred
-Keep your submission between 100-500 words
-Proofread, and DON'T WRITE IN ALL CAPS
-Note: Unfortunately we can only answer questions from the U.S.A.
Previous Questions & Answers...
I Was Never Told About Settlement Liens...
I received an injury settlement after 2 and half years from the start of the case. I had no idea I had a settlement lien until I signed all the paperwork …
How are attorney expenses calculated?
I agreed to a $10,000 settlement in my auto accident case. I thought that all the fees would be part of the attorney's 1/3 of the settlement. I am now …
Dropped by Attorney for 'Conflict of Interest'?
I am a taxi driver and have been working for the same company for four years. In June 2012 an intoxicated driver ran a red light and t-boned my cab on …
Can a lawyer quit after 3 years of representation over settlement?
In a personal injury case, after the lawsuit, depositions, and note of issue has been filed, can an attorney withdraw from the case at anytime or does …
Firing My Injury Attorney...
I am 5 years into my slip and fall accident case with a major national chain retail store. My injury attorney told me at the beginning that he was going …
Attorney Didn't Pay My Medical Bills...
I was hit from behind by a truck while I was waiting at a stop sign. I was hit with such force that my car hit 2 others. I did black out from the impact …
What's the Common Billing Practice for Personal Injury Attorneys?
My friend was rear ended badly in Sherman Oaks, CA on Riverside drive. She had an old car that rides low. The person who hit her was in a high truck. My …
What questions should I ask my lawyer?
I was involved in a motor vehicle accident over two years ago. A car did not stop at very busy intersection while the lights were out. She claims she saw …
Attorney Misrepresentation?
I was in a car accident (not my fault) in April of 2011. I hired an attorney to make sure all of my bills would be paid properly. In the accident I had …
Optional Bodily Injury Claim...
My wife was in an auto accident. The other car was driving the wrong way on a highway. We hired a lawyer. Workers compensation paid her hospital bills …
Can't find an attorney to take my case...
On March 3, 2011 I tripped on a rotted post in the ground that was not visible because of grass. I hit my head on some mailboxes resulting in a 2 day hospital …
"Pro Bono" Personal Injury Lawyer for Assault Case?
My nephew was beaten by a group of boys from his high school. He was riding his bike to his mom's house (my sister, he lives with his dad right now) trying …
Can my lawyer pay medical bills with my settlement check?
I did not get enough in my PIP settlement check to cover all my medical expenses in my auto accident case. Now my lawyer is holding my check for a week …
Is there a time limitation on hiring an attorney after a car accident?
On September 30 I was a passenger in my daughter's car. We were waiting at a stop light and were rear-ended. I was examined at the emergency room and they …
Legal Malpractice in Car Accident Settlement?
In May 2010 I was hit head-on by a drunk driver. He got tickets for leaving the scene of an accident and DWI. I called around and found a lawyer. The accident …
Lawyer Malpractice Loses Settlement Money...
I was a pedestrian hit by car in September 2009. I was hit in a school parking lot while walking back home. I had a lawyer but they ended up dropping my …
What Percentage of the Settlement Does My Personal Injury Lawyer Get?
I was involved in an accident. The other party's insurance company is about to make settlement. My personal injury attorney is quoting me more than half …
Do I Have a Legal Malpractice Claim?
I live in South Carolina and was injured on the job, not through any fault of my employer, but through the negligence of a roofing company repairing the …
Question about Personal Injury Demand Letters...
Does an attorney have the right to file a personal injury demand letter without consulting the client first? Is the amount of the demand usually 3x the …
Hiring a Personal Injury Attorney After 5 Years?
My accident was in 2005. The attorney I hired did not work on my case. It now is 5+ years later and I am having difficulty hiring a new attorney. Also, …
Concrete Hazards Cause Slip and Fall...
I slipped and fell in a parking lot at a medical hospital. I stepped over a puddle of leaves, water and debris so I wouldn't get wet or slip. I needed …
Can a Personal Injury Attorney Quit a Case After 5 Years?
I have a relatively straightforward question: Does a New York State attorney have the right to resign from a 5 year old case? What would happen to a personal …
Rear End Crash Case with Attorney Problems...
I was involved in a rear end collision in Lake Wales, FL. The other driver was charged with careless driving. I hired an attorney who I only talked with …
Car Collision Injury Settlement...
I had a car collision injury in Ohio. The auto accident was the other person's fault. It happened last May 2010. My back is still in pain. I have been …
Seeking alternative representation in wrongful death case...
We've had a Wrongful Death Case that's been ongoing since approximately 2005. Thursday of last week, January 27th our council informed us they were not …
Inadequate Compensation in Rear End Car Accident Settlement...
I was rear ended at a stop light and I hired an attorney. I ended up having surgery on my right shoulder and I've been through therapy and all.
I …
My lawyer accepted a settlement without my consent...
Recently my current lawyer settled my automobile accident claim without my accord. The accident happened over a year ago and for months now, I have tried …
Changing Lawyers in the Middle of a Car Accident Case...
Hello, I had a car accident around 2 months ago. I went to this attorney and did not really know what to expect since it was my first car wreck. I was …
What is a fair fee for a personal injury attorney?
The amount awarded by the judge in a personal injury case is why I ask this question. What is a fair fee for the attorney? I appreciate your answer.
…
Unhappy with my car accident attorney...
I was hit head on when I was sitting in my car at a stop sign waiting for my turn to go. I suffered injuries which are still bothering me.
I'd like …
Records of hospital bills paid?
Once a settlement is reached from a personal injury, what all should you get from the lawyer? For example, if the lawyer pays the medical bills, insurance, …
Auto Injury Case - How are the lawyer fee & medical bills paid?
Car accident 11/09 - I hired an attorney, who I have never met and only had dealings with the paralegal.
The case has been settled. However, the attorney …
Why hasn't my hit-and-run accident case settled?
I was involved in a hit and run accident in Orange County, California in May of 2008. I sustained back and neck injuries due to a rear end collision and …
Reviewing the Settlement Terms
Do I have the right to review the settlement before the lawyer issues the check?
ANSWER for "Reviewing the Settlement Terms": Not only do you need …
Is a Second Settlement Possible?
My mom was hit by a car while she was crossing the street in July of 2008. She suffered a broken hip and a broken leg and still cannot walk right. She …
New! Comments...