Car accident attorneys in Georgia usually charge a percentage of what they recover for their clients as their fee. This percentage should be agreed upon beforehand, often in your retainer agreement. You will typically only owe them money if they win your case.
Legal fees are a cause for concern for many people who suffer injuries in car accidents. Many victims don’t engage legal help out of a misguided fear that it is beyond their financial means during an already difficult time. However, most personal injury lawyers work on contingency, meaning they only charge a fee if they win. An experienced legal professional can also efficiently and effectively handle every aspect of your case while you focus on healing. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.
Will There Be Other Fees or Expenses I Might Have to Pay?
While the contingency agreement covers the attorney’s fees, some additional costs may come up during your case. These could include expenses for medical records, expert witness fees, court filing fees, and other administrative costs.
Your attorney should cover these costs upfront rather than asking you to pay for them. They will then take their total expenditures out of your final settlement or award before calculating their contingency fee. This arrangement ensures you do not have to pay any fees or costs out of pocket.
If an attorney asks you to pay for expenses upfront, you should view this as a red flag. Reputable personal injury attorneys will advance all case costs on your behalf.
Do All Lawyers in Georgia Work on a Contingency Fee Basis?
Georgia law does not require attorneys to work on a contingency fee basis. Many lawyers require some form of payment in advance when working on criminal defense or family law cases. However, most personal injury attorneys in Georgia operate on a contingency fee basis. This arrangement has several advantages for the client, including:
- Access to representation – Contingency fee agreements allow injured individuals to access high-quality legal representation regardless of their financial situation. Many people are forced into using up their savings or going into debt to pay injury-related medical bills and other expenses. Hiring an attorney on a contingency fee basis can help you pursue compensation for these expenses without going into additional debt.
- Motivation to win – Because the attorney only receives payment if they win your case, they will be motivated to work hard on your behalf. This means investigating the accident, translating what you’ve suffered into a dollar amount, negotiating with the insurance company, and filing any legal actions before the deadlines.
- Maximize compensation – Contingency fee agreements encourage attorneys to secure the maximum possible compensation. Because the attorney’s fee is a percentage of the final award, they will make more money if they obtain a larger financial package for you. In this regard, it’s a win-win situation.
Will the Fee Be Higher If My Case Goes to Trial?
Many personal injury attorneys in Georgia ask for a certain percentage of the client’s total compensation if they can reach a settlement with the insurer. If negotiations with the insurance company fail and litigation becomes necessary, the percentage may increase. However, the final terms of the agreement may require negotiation between the attorney and client at the beginning of the case. The most important thing to remember is that Georgia law requires an attorney to communicate the terms of their agreement with the client in advance, preferably in writing.
What Is the Average Settlement Amount for a Car Accident Case in Georgia?
Car accident settlements can vary significantly depending on the circumstances. When only minor injuries and property damage are involved, the settlement might be a few thousand dollars. For more severe injuries leading to long-term disabilities, settlements can amount to hundreds of thousands or well over a million dollars. As a general rule, you could be owed compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income from missed time at work
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
A knowledgeable car accident attorney in Georgia can review your situation and give you an informed estimate of how much money you may be able to pursue.
How Long Might a Car Accident Case Take to Settle?
The duration of a car accident case can vary substantially based on the circumstances. Straightforward claims with clear liability may settle within a few months. However, negotiations could drag on for a year or more if the insurance company disputes fault or challenges the extent of your injuries and other losses.
Cases involving serious injuries that require long-term medical treatment and rehabilitation may take several years to resolve. Your attorney may need to wait until you reach maximum medical improvement before they can fully calculate your past and future losses.
Complex cases involving multiple vehicles and insurance companies, or those that go to trial, might also take longer to resolve. Your attorney should be able to provide you with a rough estimate of when your case may realistically settle based on their experience.
What Happens If My Car Accident Case Is Not Successful?
One advantage of hiring an attorney on a contingency fee basis is that you usually pay nothing if your case is unsuccessful. If the insurance company does not agree to a reasonable settlement offer and a judge or jury decides against you at trial, you will not owe any attorney’s fees.
Your attorney has a financial incentive to only accept cases they believe have a strong likelihood of success, so you can be confident they will do everything possible to build the strongest case on your behalf.
Contact a Georgia Car Accident Lawyer
The experienced team at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., understands why many people are reluctant to hire a lawyer after a car accident. With so many expenses to consider, legal costs might seem impossible to justify. However, hiring one of our attorneys on a contingency fee basis can optimize your recovery at no up-front cost to you. We also offer free consultations during which we will listen to you compassionately and give you a frank evaluation of your case’s chances. And if we take your case, you can be confident that we will fight for your rights so you can get your life back on track.
Contact us today for your free consultation with a Georgia car accident lawyer, and let us get to work for you.
