Hiring a lawyer after a car accident can lead to protecting your rights and give you the best chance to recover compensation after a DC car accident. However, many people worry about the cost of legal representation, often wondering, “What are the most common lawyer fees for a car accident?” While most attorneys in DC will significantly increase the value of your claim, you must weigh that against the fees they charge. To properly weigh the value you get from hiring an accident attorney, you must understand both the value you receive from the attorney and thoroughly understand the fee structure of a personal injury lawyer. First, understand that you are likely to pocket about four times as much compensation with the assistance of a personal injury lawyer than if you look to handle your case independently. Exploring why that is the case is beyond the scope of this post.
Instead, we focus here on the most lawyer fees for car accidents. Below, we explore what percentage the vast majority of DC car accident lawyers charge for services. As personal injury lawyers in Washington, DC, we take it upon ourselves to ensure all potential clients are fully informed of any costs before engaging in services. We understand that going into a case without a full breakdown of how a car accident lawyer charges a fee can be overwhelming and only add to your stress. Here, we provide clarity so you can proceed with the legal aspect of your recovery with confidence. Whether you have a minor injury from an accident or a life-threatening injury that may impact the rest of your life, our attorneys stand ready to help.
Contact our office today for a free consultation or case evaluation to better understand your options and next steps.
What Percentage Do Lawyers Typically Take in Car Accident Cases?
In most car accident cases, lawyers typically work on a contingency fee basis, meaning they take a percentage of the final settlement or court award. The standard percentage can vary, but it is typically one-third of the gross recovery for a settlement, 40% if the case is filed, and no more than 20% if against the DC government. Because the legal fee is so low for a claim against the DC government relative to the other legal fees, many DC car accident lawyers are hesitant to accept these cases. Every case must be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, as every case is different. Of course, if a case must be litigated against the DC government, then the attorney’s extra time and costs are not reimbursed. Undoubtedly, the DC government designed statute Section 1-623.27 to discourage attorneys from making claims against the government.
However, despite the lower legal fees, accident victims injured due to negligent USPS drivers, police officers, or any other government employee are still entitled to compensation. In a rare instance, car accident lawyers will try to undercut their competition by lowering their fees. While we cannot speak for all of these lawyers generally, it is fair to assume that many of these attorneys who reduce their fees to gain clients only offer such competitive rates for one of two reasons. First, their services are inferior to those offered elsewhere on the market. Or two, the attorney and client are friends or a family member.
How Do Contingency Fees Work?
A contingency fee arrangement is a payment structure in which the lawyer only gets paid if the client wins the case or receives a settlement. So, if your attorney is unsuccessful in recovering compensation for your injuries, there should not be a fee. That is how our firm handles personal injury cases and how nearly all personal injury lawyers in Washington, DC, structure our fees.
Thus, the legal fee is contingent on the success of the case. Accordingly, if the lawyer attempts to settle the case but fails to do so, and the plaintiff decides not to file suit, then the law firm eats the costs. There are several costs beyond legal fees, which we will touch on in the next section. While the sum is not exceptionally high and pales in comparison to what you recover, it is a factor to consider. Although, these are costs you would have to pay regardless of whether you retain legal representation.
However, for many DC car accident lawyers, if you choose to file a lawsuit against the defendant, the costs for that part of the case will be up to the client. Of course, this is a separate authorization in addition to the original retainer. Thus, it is spelled out for you and is in no way hidden. Moreover, these costs are broken down for you in detail. However, it is worth noting because these fees are contingent on whether you file suit, not on whether you recover compensation.
Are There Additional Costs Beyond Lawyer Fees?
There are additional costs beyond lawyer fees that you should be aware of. If we do not file suit but instead successfully settle your suit, these costs will be reimbursed out of the recovery. Our firm initially advances the costs on your behalf, and they are only reimbursed if we successfully settle your case. These costs include postage, faxes, requesting a police report, and obtaining medical records. In the typical case, costs are not very expensive and are roughly 1% of the ultimate recovery.
You would have to cover these costs regardless of whether you hire an attorney. For example, if you were to handle the case on your own, you would still need to get a copy of the police report and get your medical records from your doctors to be able to send them to the insurance companies. So, these are not legal fees and are not included as part of the percentage discussed above.
How to Choose a Lawyer Based on Fees and Experience
Considering the legal fees your potential attorney will charge you for their services is critical. But, it may be unwise to pay less legal fees if it means hiring an attorney without experience. Start by asking about the lawyer’s contingency fee percentage and whether they cover additional costs upfront. Then, ask how long the attorney has been practicing or how many cases they have handled. It may not be useful to ask an attorney their success rate because some cases are better than others. On the other hand, you should ask the attorney how they might value your case. While they should not and cannot tell you what your case is worth at the start of the case, it will give you an idea of whether they believe in your case, understand what you are going through, and are going to work to recover that amount.
You should also feel comfortable with the lawyer’s communication style. A good attorney will explain the fee structure in detail, ensure you understand how the costs work, and help you weigh the financial risks and benefits of pursuing your case. This will help build trust from the start of your case and put you at ease as you navigate this difficult process.
Speak to an Attorney Today
The DC car accident lawyers at Gelb & Gelb have been practicing personal injury law for over 70 years.
Call our office today at (202) 331-7227 for a free case consultation. We look forward to speaking with you.
