Maison Law helps anyone that’s been hurt in an accident in California. As an injury victim, there’s a lot of questions you probably have about the legal process. But one of the most pressing questions involves how you can pay for a lawyer. Our method involves charging a “contingency”, which works well for both you and our firm. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your legal options in this situation.
Do All Injury Lawyers Work on Contingency?
A contingency-fee agreement is one where the lawyer takes their fee from the result of any settlement or verdict, rather than a “retainer.” In a personal injury case, most victims can’t afford a retainer or hourly rates. But there are two main reasons why we and many other personal injury lawyers use contingency fees:
- The client doesn’t have to worry about paying upfront or out-of-pocket expenses.
- We can get the most out of your claim for both you and us.
Not all personal injury lawyers work on contingency. In fact, depending on the circumstances of the case itself, they can decide to work out a different fee structure with the client. The same goes for the rate of the contingency fee itself.
What’s the Maximum Contingency Fee that an Injury Lawyer Can Charge You?
When you work with a lawyer under a contingency-fee agreement, they’ll usually explain this in the first meeting. The time after an accident can be pretty scary, and many clients don’t know how they’re going to pay for their medical bills, let alone a lawyer.
That’s the main benefit of a contingency, but again, every firm works differently. That said, the vast majority of personal injury lawyers work under a similar fee agreement of:
- Between 33% and 40%.
There’s no limit set by California law in terms of the maximum contingency a personal injury lawyer can charge you, but again, a contingency fee agreement works best because every case is different–and plays out in different ways.
Why Does a Contingency-Fee Work For a Personal Injury Case in California?
Outside of the financial benefits of a contingency-fee agreement for clients, it also just makes sense because a typical claim can progress in many different ways. It can even wrap up well before it even reaches a courtroom. Generally though, the process starts as soon as the accident happens. When there’s an accident because of negligence, it gives you legal options. The main option is the ability to file an injury claim to recover damages, which happens either by filing:
- An insurance claim
- A personal injury lawsuit
The purpose of the claims process is to recover damages, which is just the legal term for your losses from your injuries. Generally, this includes things like:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care needs for permanent injuries
- Lost wages or lost earning potential
- Repair/replacement costs for personal property, like your car or phone
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of companionship
Again, every case is different, but this is a general outline of how any personal injury claim is going to work. And while paying for a lawyer is a very important part of the process, there’s many other reasons why you would need a lawyer for an injury claim.
Why Do You Need a Lawyer After an Injury in California?
Obviously, not every single accident you’re in is going to require a lawyer. In fact, the more minor your injuries, the less you probably even need to worry about filing a legal claim at all. That said, any accident–whether it’s a car accident or a simple slip-and-fall at a store–can leave you with pretty serious injuries. It’s here that our team can step in and help you. With our experience and resources, we help clients by:
- Looking into the cause of the accident
- Figuring out who has to pay for your damages.
- Collecting medical records, witness accounts, and accident reports to strengthen your claim.
- Dealing with insurance companies and lawyers by negotiating for you.
- Working to get a fair settlement for your injuries and losses.
While you can handle your claim alone, having legal support can make the process easier and more effective. That’s the main reason we work on a contingency-fee basis. With no upfront costs, you don’t have to worry about making payments and we can focus on getting the best result for you.
Contact Maison Law to Answer Your Questions
No one wants to get hurt, but accidents happen often in California. Although hiring a lawyer isn’t required, having good legal representation can make a big difference. At Maison Law, our personal injury lawyers are here to support you and guide you through the process so you can focus on recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to get the process started.
