Why seek the help of an accident attorney?

Navigating the court system today can be a tedious procedure. Judges
have little tolerance for those wishing to represent themselves in a
court of law but do not know the rules of the game once inside the
courtroom. Further, a lack of knowledge and understanding of the
judicial process can cause undue delays in the resolution of your
case, and even the smallest procedural errors can be devastating, not
only to your case but to your demeanor and desire to persevere. In
most cases, the best way to resolve these issues so they don't become
bigger ones is to hire an attorney.

Finding an affordable attorney and covering cost

The biggest obstacle in retaining an accident attorney is the obvious
one: Cost. While hourly rates for good accident attorneys vary
substantially, some cases are more expensive to litigate than others.
The reasons for this are also obvious: Time and severity of your case.
For example, hiring a lawyer to fight a traffic ticket will cost a
lot less than hiring a lawyer to fight a felony criminal charge.
Also, different lawyers charge different rates, depending on their
reputation (usually based on the number of cases they have won), and
experience. It is not always true that the best lawyer costs the
most, but the best lawyers usually do not charge the lowest rates.
Make the appointment!

Determining how much your attorney will cost, and if whether or not
you have a case, depends on taking that crucial step and scheduling
an appointment with an accident attorney. Quote shopping by telephone
usually doesn't work, as most attorneys, or their secretaries for that
matter, will not disclose such information without a scheduled
appointment. Why? Typically, attorneys want to hear the facts of your
case before deciding if they will to take it. The facts will also
give the attorney some idea as to how much it will cost to try your
case.

Because of their often hectic schedules, attorneys will not discuss
your case with you over the phone, and will need to pencil you in to
their schedule. That doesn't mean you wont find an attorney willing
to discuss facts with you over the phone, but it is not the preferred
method.

A lawsuit is a serious and time consuming endeavor, so treat it with
all the seriousness you can muster. The most important thing,
however, is that you feel comfortable with the attorney and can
establish a level of trust.

Retainers and other fees

Please remember that a "retainer" is not the total fee. A retainer is
usually a down payment to get your case off and running. Paying a
retainer means you've secured the services of an attorney who
believes in your case and has agreed to take it on. Some lawyers
quote a retainer that reflects what they believe the case will cost.
Others may quote a lower retainer fee and then bill their client
later for additional legal costs.

FLAT FEES

Flat fees are another option to consider. The purpose of a flat fee
is not to save money, for most flat fee arrangements typically end up
costing you more than an hourly agreement. Flat fees do, however,
allow you to better assess your legal fees and ensure that you are
not paying what you cannot afford. Flat fees provide peace of mind,
and guarantee you won't be charged more if your case turns out to be
more complicated than your attorney initially believed.

HOURLY RATES

If you plan to pay your attorney an hourly rate, it may be prudent to
ask him/her to quote you a maximum fee. Reason being: It can be a
good way to test the reasonableness of your attorney's retainer,
unless the attorney has agreed to take your case for what you are
able to afford. If an attorney quotes you a $500 retainer but refuses
to quote a maximum fee, you probably should go elsewhere. While many
cases vary in complexity, making it difficult for attorneys to quote
maximum fees, such complexities should also be reflected in the
retainer. A $500 retainer ordinarily indicates that the attorney
views the case as simple. You can try asking an attorney for a lower
hourly rate, but don't be surprised if you get turned down flat. Many
attorneys will not agree to lower rates, and good ones usually have
more work than time.

CONTINGENCY FEES

Many attorneys will take cases on contingency, meaning simply that
they agree to take a percentage of the monetary award if you win your
case (usually a third). If the attorney does not win your case for
you, he/she doesn't get paid, but you are still responsible for
paying the court fees. Some attorneys offer sliding scale fees.

Attorneys typically take cases on contingency if they feel they are
sure-fire wins with big payouts. These cases include primarily civil
suits, particularly personal injury cases. Every state limits
contingency fees for personal injury and workers' compensation cases,
so make sure you check what the contingency cap is in your state if
you are involved in a personal injury or workers' compensation case.

Sometimes you can negotiate contingency fees with attorneys, but the
best ones can typically get larger awards than lesser skilled
attorneys, making the contingency fee a mute point. You may want to
consider a better attorney and not a lower contingency fee.

LEGAL SERVICES AND LAW SCHOOL CLINICS

If money is a problem, and it usually is with many people, there are
alternatives such as free or low-cost legal services through a legal
services office. Some law schools offer clinical programs to assist
people in their lawsuits. Even if you do not qualify for those
programs, staff can usually refer you to attorneys who take cases at
reduced rates.

Accident lawyer information links:

- How to hire an accident lawyer
- Helpful tips if you are in an accident
- Basic questions to ask you accident lawyer
- Will an accident attorney work pro bono?
- List of states to choose from
- Accident lawyers guide home page

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DISCLAIMER:
The information contained in this web site is provided as a public service. While the information on this site is about legal issues, it is not legal advice or legal representation and should not be relied upon as legal advice. Because of the rapidly changing nature of the law, Accident Lawyers Guide.com, its affiliates, employees make no warranty or guarantee of the accuracy or reliability of information contained herein or at other sites to which we link. As legal advice must be tailored to the specific facts and circumstances of your case, information cannot substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel

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