How Expensive Is It To Hire a Miami Car Accident Lawyer?
August 31, 2022 | Sagi Shaked | Car Accidents
If you’ve suffered a car crash injury in South Florida, you’ll likely want to know the costs of legal representation.
When it comes to compensation for damages, Florida is a no-fault state. This means you can generally seek compensation from your insurance, even if another party caused your injuries.
However, these claims may only partially cover medical bills and other damages. If your car crash results in significant damages, you may want to pursue additional compensation through the courts. In some circumstances, you can file a car accident lawsuit in Florida.
Many car crash injury victims are hesitant to hire an attorney because they’ve already had to front other expenses, such as medical bills and car repairs. Fortunately, most car crash lawyers in Florida use contingency fees to charge for their services.
Learn more about contingency fees and how a Miami car crash attorney can help you recover damages after a car accident.
Contingency Fees and Car Crash Injuries
Although some personal injury lawyers work for a fixed-rate fee or charge by the hour, most will enter into contingency fee agreements.
In simple terms, a contingency fee agreement does not require any payment upfront. Instead, attorneys only collect money for their services if they successfully recover damages in your claim.
Generally, an attorney’s contingency fee will be a percentage of the total damages awarded in your favor. The amount will fluctuate depending on the circumstances of the claim itself. Attorneys may pursue claims in one of two ways:
- Settling through out-of-court negotiations
- Taking the case to trial
Cases settled through negotiation generally charge a lower percentage, while cases that go to trial charge more.
The Florida Bar regulates contingency fees to protect clients. Depending on the outcome, these fees will range between 20% and 40% of the damages recovered.
No two car accident claims are the same, so the contingency fee will largely depend on the specific circumstances of your case and the amount of work that goes into building it.
What Happens When a Case Is Lost or Not Settled?
When you pursue a claim through a law firm that charges a contingency fee, you won’t pay anything if you lose your case.
Lawyers assume the risks and responsibilities of each claim they represent. When working for contingency fees, they know that a loss will result in zero compensation. A contingency fee will therefore give your attorney an incentive to win you the maximum possible compensation.
How a Car Crash Lawyer Can Proceed With your Case
If you’ve sustained injuries in a car crash and wish to seek damages, an attorney can help you with each step of the process. Typically, a claim can involve any of the following:
- Learning about your case and determining how to proceed
- Reviewing any evidence related to your accident
- Negotiating with the opposing party and their insurance company
- If a settlement cannot be reached, proceeding to trial through a formal lawsuit
Car accidents are often complex and involve many moving parts. Your attorney will review the facts to determine the legal strategy most suitable for your situation.
Proving Fault Is Key in a Successful Car Crash Claim
Florida law requires drivers to act reasonably and safely and avoid reckless driving or other behaviors that could jeopardize motorists and pedestrians.
When you’re injured in a car crash, you must be able to establish negligence or fault to proceed with a lawsuit. To do so, you’ll need the help of a skilled attorney with experience handling car crash claims.
Because contingency fees are the industry standard, most car crash injury victims have the freedom to pursue claims without worrying about retainers or upfront costs.
Contact Our Car Accident Law Firm in Miami, FL
If you’ve been injured in an accident in Miami, FL and need legal help, contact our Miami car accident lawyers at Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers to schedule a free consultation.
Shaked Law Personal Injury Lawyers
20900 NE 30th Ave Suite 715
Aventura, FL 33180
(305) 937-0191