Does the Settlement Percentage Really Make a Difference?

While the fees charged by your personal injury attorney could affect how much money you take home following a settlement or trial, this percentage is only one factor affecting it. There are many things that affect how much you receive in your injury case. Your attorney’s settlement percentage does not play as significant a role as many others. 

When you hire a personal injury lawyer in Atlanta to manage your case, you will likely pay them based on contingency. This means they will receive a preapproved percentage of your total settlement or other payment. 

Attorneys With Experience and Know-How Often Charge More

The difference in fees charged by personal injury attorneys covers a wide range. Some may offer a 25 percent fee, while others charge a third or even half of the payout. These fees are based on the complexity of the case, whether it will require going to court, and other litigation costs. 

One of the most important factors in determining settlement percentage is the attorney’s ability to win similar cases. More established firms tend to charge more. In this way, you are paying a higher percentage for the knowledge and experience of your lawyer and their extensive track record of recovering large payouts. 

We know that hiring an attorney often allows victims to recover significantly more in a personal injury settlement or trial than they could if they handled their case on their own. The attorney’s training and experience make a difference. Now, consider that you could hire an attorney with significantly more experience and innumerable success stories for injured clients. Would their knowledge and reputation be worth more than other lawyers?

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Personal Injury FAQs

How Much Does It Cost a Lawyer to Handle a Personal Injury Case?

Most people do not fully understand how personal injury lawyers get paid. Some assume it is an hourly fee or a retainer paid before they go to work on the case. However, neither of these is true. Most personal injury lawyers work based on contingency fees.  

In a way, accepting a personal injury case is somewhat of a gamble for a lawyer. If they do not win the case and recover compensation, they do not get paid. They are only paid from the money they secure for the client, so no payout means no pay. 

This fee agreement makes it vital for attorneys to win every case possible. Navigating a personal injury matter requires the firm to invest significant time and financial resources. Attorneys must investigate the incident, build a compelling case, and fight for the money the client deserves. 

Some law firms include the cost of their resources and expenses in the contingency fee. This is another factor that could increase the settlement percentage without decreasing the money you might take home. This is also important to keep in mind because it could significantly add to the fees you pay from your settlement if it is not included.

What Does the Contingency Fee Agreement Include?

Many people are surprised to learn that there is no straightforward answer to how much a car accident lawyer will cost. There are many factors that affect the contingency fees paid and the cost of hiring an attorney. Sometimes, the higher settlement percentage could mean fewer additional fees or more services. You will need to carefully weigh the agreement to determine if the settlement percentage works for you.

Before you hire a personal injury lawyer, they will present the contingency fee arrangement. This is a part of their contract and is not something they can alter without you agreeing to it. Before they begin work on your case, you will have a chance to ask questions about the settlement percentage and get clarification on anything you understand. This typically occurs before your attorney/client relationship begins. 

The contract will not include just one settlement percentage. Instead, it will likely list several scenarios and the possible percentages based on them. For example, you can expect the settlement percentage to increase if the case goes to civil court. You can also learn about how they handle other expenses and fees by reading this paperwork. 

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What Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Do for Clients?

The goal of a personal injury case is to hold the at-fault party accountable and recover compensation for the victim. However, personal injury lawyers often provide a wide range of additional services beyond filing insurance claims and civil suits. This could include taking care of all parts of the legal case so you can solely focus on your treatment, healing, and rehabilitation. 

Your lawyer will also know how to develop a compelling case that shows negligence and liability. This requires investigating what happened and gathering evidence to support your side of the story. By building a strong case against the liable party, it is easier to convince the insurance company to provide a fair settlement or show the judge and jury why you deserve compensation if the case goes to trial. 

When litigation may be necessary, your attorney will keep a close eye on the deadline to sue. In Georgia, this is two years after the injury date under O.C.G.A § 9-3-33. Your lawyer will need to file a lawsuit before this date or lose the right to do so. This is one reason why we recommend hiring your lawyer as soon as your injuries allow. They will manage the timeline for your case so that you never miss an important deadline.

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Discuss Your Personal Injury Case With Our Team

Bader Scott Injury Lawyers provides free initial case consultations for accident victims hurt by someone else’s negligence in Georgia. We represent those hurt due to no fault of their own and fight for the financial recovery they deserve. Our attorneys work on contingency fees. We can discuss this policy and how it could affect your case during your free consultation. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Contact us to get started with your free consultation. We have a team member available to take your call now.

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