The physical, emotional, and financial impact of being hurt in an accident that wasn’t your fault can leave you wondering what to do next and how you’ll pay for legal representation. The cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Pennsylvania can vary widely depending on various factors, including their level of experience and the complexity of the case. At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad, our personal injury attorneys help clients throughout the Lehigh Valley understand the cost of hiring a lawyer and explain how fee structures work.
Most Personal Injury Lawyers Offer Free Consultations
Typically, an initial consultation with a personal injury lawyer is free. In this meeting, they will listen to the details of your case and advise you on whether you have a viable claim. They may also give you a rough estimate of what your case may be worth. Your initial consultation is a great time to ask any questions you may have and find out about an attorney’s experience and record of success when it comes to recovering compensation in personal injury claims. During this consultation, it’s important to ask about their fee structure and any additional costs that may be associated with your case.
What is a Contingency Fee?
Most personal injury attorneys take cases on contingency. This means that they only receive attorneys’ fees if they successfully recover compensation for you. Generally, contingency fees run anywhere from about 33% to 40% of the final insurance settlement or court award. This fee is not due until the case is completed. Your personal injury lawyer should discuss fees with you at your initial consultation and have you sign a contract that lays out costs before working on your case.
Additional Costs for Services
In addition to the contingency fee, there are other costs and expenses that arise in personal injury cases. Court costs, filing fees, medical record retrieval fees, expert witnesses, and investigative expenses are often part of litigating a personal injury claim. These expenses are usually paid by your personal injury attorney and deducted from your final settlement award, so you won’t have to pay any up-front costs. However, it’s important to keep in mind that even if you don’t win your case, you will likely still be responsible for paying these additional expenses. It’s vital to ask your personal injury attorney how additional costs will be handled and clarify when they should be paid before signing a representation agreement.
Legal Representation for Complex Cases Usually Costs More
If your case is a fairly cut and dry situation like a rear-end collision accident that caused a whiplash injury, your attorney’s contingency fee will probably be on the lower side. However, a tractor-trailer crash involving a multiple motorists and catastrophic injuries is much more complex, so your personal injury lawyer’s fee may be in a higher percentage range.
In addition, compensation amounts in these cases are usually much higher, so insurance companies tend to fight harder to pay as little as possible. It’s also important to understand that litigation is time-consuming and expensive, so if a personal injury lawsuit goes to court, your legal costs are going to be higher.
Find a Personal Injury Lawyer You Can Trust
A personal injury lawyer should be transparent about their fees and willing to answer any questions you have about the cost of legal representation. If they won’t give you straight answers about how their fee structure works, find a different personal injury attorney. If you’re confused about anything in a contingency agreement, ask for clarification. It’s much better to know what you’re getting into up front than to be blindsided with unexpected costs at the end of your case.
Our team at Thomas, Conrad & Conrad has built a solid reputation in the eastern Pennsylvania legal community over the past 30 years. You can trust us to be open and honest about how much your case is worth and how much our legal services cost. We’re dedicated to fighting for personal injury clients in the Lehigh Valley and helping you recover the full amount of compensation you need and deserve.
Contact a Personal Injury Lawyer in Allentown, PA
At Thomas, Conrad & Conrad Law Offices, we care about our clients and their families. If you or a loved one has been hurt in an accident, we can help. To schedule a consultation with a personal injury lawyer in Pennsylvania, contact us online or call us at 610-867-2900. We offer several convenient locations in the Lehigh Valley.