As a resident of Sarasota, you understand the importance of driving safely on busy roads and highways in the area. However, even the most careful drivers can find themselves in an auto accident through no fault of their own. When this happens, you may face expensive medical bills, vehicle repairs, missed work, and other costs. Hiring an experienced auto accident attorney in Sarasota can help ensure you receive fair compensation for your losses.
Our Auto Accident Attorneys Help You Recover Damages In Sarasota
Auto accident attorneys, also known as personal injury lawyers or car accident lawyers, represent victims of vehicle collisions. Their goal is to help clients recover damages and losses from the at-fault party’s insurance company. If you have been in a motor vehicle accident, an auto accident attorney can advise you of your legal rights and options for pursuing a claim.
Auto accident attorneys specialize in cases involving careless drivers, dangerous road conditions, defective automobiles, and more. They are well-versed in the complex laws surrounding car accidents and work with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to build a case on their client’s behalf. Their services include:
- • Conducting a thorough investigation into the accident to determine liability and gather evidence
- • Evaluating the extent of injuries and damages to determine an appropriate settlement amount
- • Negotiating with insurance companies and defending clients’ rights to fair compensation
- • Filing a lawsuit in court if a settlement cannot be reached through negotiation
- • Representing clients in court and handling all legal paperwork and procedures on their behalf
The majority of auto accident attorneys work on contingency, meaning they only get paid if they win your case. Their fees typically range from 33% to 40% of the total settlement amount. While hiring an attorney is not always necessary, especially for minor fender benders, their expertise can be invaluable for complex cases. They have the knowledge and resources to maximize your settlement and ensure all damages and losses are properly reimbursed under the law.
Typical Fees Charged by Auto Accident Attorneys
When you’ve been in an auto accident, hiring an experienced attorney is critical to protecting your rights and receiving fair compensation. In Sarasota, the typical fees charged by auto accident attorneys range from 33% to 40% of the total settlement amount, also known as a contingency fee. This means the attorney only gets paid if they recover money for you.
Contingency Fees
The standard contingency fee for car accident cases is 33.3% to 40%. This percentage covers all costs involved in pursuing your claim, including filing fees, deposition fees, and more. The attorney only collects fees if they successfully resolve your case through a settlement or verdict. If no recovery is made, you owe nothing. However, usually, the fee will vary depending on the amount of the settlement.
Why Hire an Attorney?
Victims who hire an attorney for their auto accident case receive an average of $44,600 in compensation compared to $13,900 for those who don’t, according to multiple studies. An experienced Sarasota personal injury lawyer knows how to properly value a claim, negotiate with insurance companies, and pursue litigation if needed. They can determine all liable parties, identify sources of insurance, and make sure you receive coverage for all losses including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
Additional Costs
In some cases, additional costs may be deducted from your settlement to reimburse the law firm for large expenses such as private investigators, accident reconstructionists or medical experts. However, reputable Sarasota accident attorneys will discuss any major expenses with you upfront before moving forward. Make sure any law firm you consider has a proven track record of success in auto accident cases. With the right attorney on your side, you’ll have the best chance of maximum compensation after an auto accident.
Contingency Fees: How Auto Accident Lawyers Get Paid
When you hire an auto accident attorney in Sarasota to represent you, they typically charge a contingency fee for their services. This means the attorney will not charge you any upfront legal fees. Instead, they will take a percentage of the total settlement amount they are able to recover on your behalf. The standard contingency fee percentage in Sarasota for auto accident cases ranges from 33.3% to 40%. The exact percentage depends on the complexity of your case and the amount of work required.
For example, if an attorney has a 35% contingency fee agreement with you and is able to recover $30,000 in a settlement, the attorney will receive $10,500 as payment for their services. The remaining $19,500 will be disbursed to you. This type of arrangement means the attorney only gets paid if they are able to recover compensation for you. It also means they are highly motivated to aim for the maximum settlement amount possible since their fee is directly tied to the total amount recovered.
When you meet with an auto accident attorney for a free initial consultation, be sure to discuss their standard contingency fee percentage and if there are any exceptions. Some attorneys may charge a slightly lower percentage for cases that settle before a lawsuit needs to be filed, for example. You should also clarify what types of costs, if any, you may be responsible for reimbursing the attorney for, such as fees for copying medical records, postage, courier services, etc. These costs are in addition to the contingency fee percentage.
An auto accident attorney can handle all aspects of your claim including reviewing the details of your accident, dealing with insurance companies on your behalf, determining fault and liability, and negotiating the best possible settlement for your injuries and damages. While the contingency fee may seem high, a skilled attorney can often recover far more compensation for you than you could obtain on your own. Their legal expertise and experience in negotiating with insurance companies is invaluable.
Factors That Affect Attorney Fees for Car Accidents
The fees charged by an auto accident attorney in Sarasota are influenced by several factors. The severity and complexity of your case, as well as the amount of time and resources required to reach a resolution, directly impact the total cost.
Fee Structure
The fee structure selected, whether hourly billing or contingency fees, significantly affects attorney fees. With hourly billing, you pay the attorney a fixed rate for each hour of work on your case. Contingency fees, common for personal injury cases, means the attorney receives an agreed upon percentage of the settlement amount, typically 30-40%, as payment. Contingency fees reward the attorney for obtaining a favorable outcome for you.
Case Complexity
More complex cases, involving severe injuries, multiple parties, or unclear determinations of fault, require more time and expertise to resolve, so fees are usually higher. Cases involving policy limits, multi-car crashes or commercial vehicles also increase in complexity and cost. The more complex and time-consuming the case, the higher the attorney fees will likely be.
Settlement Amount
For contingency fee cases, the amount of the settlement directly impacts the attorney’s fees. The higher the settlement amount, the greater the percentage earned by the attorney as payment. While the percentage remains the same, the total fee amount increases proportionally with the settlement. Attorney fees for high-value cases with maximum policy limits or multi-million dollar settlements will understandably be higher than for smaller settlements.
Additional Costs
Some attorneys charge extra for certain additional services like hiring expert witnesses, conducting depositions, or filing motions in court. However, many reputable personal injury firms include all necessary legal services and court costs within the contingency fee or initial retainer. Be sure you understand exactly what services are included before signing a fee agreement.
In summary, while average car accident attorney fees in Sarasota range from 30-40% of the settlement for contingency cases, the total cost of legal representation depends on the unique details of your specific auto accident case. The severity of injuries, number of liable parties, selected fee structure, and settlement amount all significantly influence how much you can expect to pay for an attorney’s legal services.
How Our Firm Charges
At Goldman Babboni Fernandez Murphy & Walsh, it costs you nothing out of pocket to higher our entire firm to fight for your behalf. Contact us today for your free case evaluation.
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