Advantages of Consulting a Personal Injury Lawyer
Whether you’re looking to file a personal injury lawsuit or need some legal advice, it’s crucial to find a personal injury attorney who will fight for your rights. Whether you are going through a legal consultation or a contingent fee, you should know how much compensation you seek before you make your decision. The following article will explain some advantages of consulting a personal injury attorney.
Consultation fee
The first and foremost advantage of consulting a personal injury lawyer is that the service is free. You can get legal consultation for free by contacting an NYC personal injury attorney. The attorney will discuss the details of your case and let you know whether you have grounds to file a lawsuit or claim. However, it is essential to remember that you may be subject to a statute of limitations if you fail to file your lawsuit within a certain period from the date of the accident. Consequently, if you fail to file a lawsuit within that period, your lawyer will be ineffective in representing you.
Another advantage of consulting a lawyer is knowing the total cost ahead of time. Attorneys who charge by the hour generally charge around $250 to $350 per consultation, and the client agrees to pay this fee in advance. This arrangement has its benefits and disadvantages, but it is often more affordable for clients. Although it gives clients a clearer picture of the costs upfront, some clients may feel like they paid too much for a brief meeting.
Contingent fee
According to Breakstone, White & Gluck, the contingency fee is one of the most critical aspects of an attorney-client relationship. It keeps both parties on the same page and spells out how you will pay your attorney once the case settles or has a favorable verdict. Clients and attorneys often argue over fees, so a good contingent fee agreement spells out your payment obligations and explains how much you owe the attorney in advance.
Choosing a personal injury attorney on a contingency fee arrangement is smart for several reasons. First, it gives injured individuals a level playing field against large corporations and insurance companies with vast resources. Contingent fee attorneys have the experience to determine how much their clients’ cases are worth and are motivated to spend only what is necessary to win their case. However, these advantages come at a cost.
Getting compensation
Hiring a personal injury lawyer is wise if you are involved in a serious accident. This attorney is highly qualified to negotiate with the insurance company and maximize your settlement or jury verdict. He has the experience and resources necessary to pursue your claim aggressively. Insurance companies are not “in your good hands”; their goal is to maximize profits and minimize loss. Your attorney can maximize your compensation by dealing with multiple insurance companies.
While it is tempting to settle the case on your own, it is essential to remember that insurance companies will only pay out the amount of money covered by the insurance policy. Thus, a $100,000 insurance policy may be of little use if you get a larger verdict than this. On the other hand, if you can collect the extra money directly from the defendant, it might be worth it. If, however, the defendant has no assets or little money, it may be better to accept a settlement.
Finding a lawyer
One of the most important factors when looking for an attorney is the attorney’s experience. Unfortunately, personal injury cases aren’t all created equal, and not all lawyers can handle all types of cases. For example, car accidents and medical malpractice are very different from cases of broken bones and traumatic brain injuries. To find the best lawyer, look for someone who has handled similar cases. Then, ask for their record of success.
You can also turn to third-party databases. Some databases list attorneys by their experience, so you can narrow the field even more. But this doesn’t mean you can’t do your research, either. You can also contact third-party databases such as Super Lawyers and Avvo to see what other clients say about a particular lawyer. In general, if you’ve heard of a lawyer through word-of-mouth recommendations, you’re probably not disappointed.
Getting help proving liability
When you hire a personal injury lawyer, you are essentially hiring someone to prove that the other party is at fault for your injuries. If the accident were your fault, you must establish that the other party was at fault and that negligence or error caused the accident. Without such proof, you won’t be able to receive any compensation for the injuries you sustained. To get started, consult a personal injury lawyer who will investigate the accident and gather evidence to show liability.
The first six months of an accident claim are often dedicated to recovering from the injuries and collecting evidence to prove liability. The time required will depend on the case’s complexity and how many parties were involved in the accident. Once the accident attorney has assembled enough evidence, they will draft a demand letter for the insurance company of the at-fault party. If the case is successful, you may receive more than $10,000. On the other hand, if the insurer has refused your claim, a personal injury lawyer can help you get the compensation you deserve.