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Auto Accident Case Success With No Money Down

Nearly everyone has seen the advertisements on television and billboards for lawyers that promise you legal services with no up-front money necessary. This method of dealing with legal fees is known as contingency fee arrangements and are common when dealing with personal injury, workers' compensation, and Social Security cases. This manner of coping with financial issues can be incredibly helpful to accident victims, but not all cases may be appropriate for such an arrangement. Read on to find out more about how contingency fee arrangements work and whether or not you should consider it for your case.

When Money is Expected in the Future

No matter what type of case is in question, contingency fee arrangements depend on future payments. There is no such thing as free legal services for personal injury cases and the attorney who agrees to represent you plans to be paid from your winnings. The way most contingency fee arrangements work is that the attorney agrees to provide certain legal services to you for a personal injury case, such as car accident, in exchange for being paid a percentage of the case winnings. With personal injury cases, things can get settled before they go to trial. If a case goes to trial and is won, a judgment for a certain sum of money is awarded. Contingency fee arrangements provide the lawyer with a percentage of money from either the settlement or the judgment. It comes off the top and is paid to the attorney directly from the compensation.

The Percentage Fee Varies

There are no rules or laws about what personal injury attorneys may charge using a contingency fee arrangement. You will know about the fee and agree to it ahead of time. Fees can be anywhere from 20% to 50% of the winning compensation and a lot depends on practices in your local area. Fees are based on the attorney's experience, area of expertise, and your case. For example, if your case is complicated, you might be charged a higher percentage than a simple case that is settled quickly. You won't need to pay anything if you don't win your case, though minor fees for printing and shipping may be charged. Be sure to read the contingency fee agreement before you sign it.

The Value of Your Case

A great deal depends on your case. If you don't have a good case or the case is not worth much money to you or the attorney, the attorney may not agree to represent you. Good cases are based on:

  1. The dollar amount of your medical expenses and thus your injuries from the accident.
  2. Whether or not you were in any way at fault for the accident.
  3. The insurance policy of the at-fault driver.
  4. Evidence of the accident and of your injuries and medical expenses.

Have your case evaluated by an auto accident lawyer and you will leave the office knowing the value of your case.


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