Our law firm offers representation without charging any upfront fees or subjecting you to any out-of-pocket expenses. Instead, we can represent you on a contingency-fee-basis. This means our attorney fees come out of whatever settlement or court award we obtain on your behalf.
A typical contingency fee is one-third of your car accident settlement amount, per the American Bar Association (ABA). We explain how much it will cost to hire a car accident lawyer from our firm prior to signing any contracts. You can discuss the specific percentage with a member of our team to ensure you understand the process before agreeing to work with us.
We can also explain how long settlement negotiations may take and how much time might elapse between agreeing to a settlement and receiving payment from the at-fault driver’s insurance company.
Why Hiring a Car Accident Lawyer Is Worth the Contingency Fee
Hiring our law firm to help you fight for damages gives you access to several different services. Our car accident lawyers understand the personal injury laws of your state and can help you use them to assign financial responsibility to the at-fault driver. When we represent you, our team will also:
- Determine the cause of the collision and any contributing factors
- Help you gather all injury-related medical bills
- Establish your monetary losses from all income streams
- Ensure your case receives a valuation that includes all valid expenses and losses
- Handle all insurance company forms and paperwork
- Define the time you have to file your lawsuit and any extensions to the timeline you might be entitled to
- Negotiate for a favorable financial settlement on your behalf
Documenting Your Injuries and Required Medical Care
Injuries sustained in car accidents may lead to more than a million nights spent in the hospital on an annual basis, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics. Their research goes on to indicate the average cost of medical care resulting from a car accident over the victim’s lifetime:
- $3,300 in emergency room care
- $57,000 in hospital stays
Your actual costs might easily exceed these averages depending on the extent of your injuries and on the amount of medical care they require. This is why it’s important to ensure you document all of your expenses and their value. Leaving out the current and future medical costs you are facing—as well as other damages the collision caused you—can leave you paying the remainder out of pocket.
When collecting evidence in your case to prove liability, we also make sure to take note of your damages. Invoices, receipts, and other documents will help us prove the financial cost of your accident. We can also help you calculate any income you missed and the value of your pain and suffering.
Negotiating a Car Accident Settlement
Another service our firm offers is negotiation with insurance companies. The majority of car accidents end in settlement agreements, but that does not mean the first offer you may receive will address all of your damages. To help you reach a financial settlement with the at-fault driver and their insurer, we can:
- Prepare and file your insurance claim
- Communicate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Prove the at-fault driver’s negligence that entitles you to recovery
- Submit the estimates and receipts that substantiate your costs
- Negotiate for compensation based on the value we have assigned to your case
- Prepare to file a lawsuit if the insurer refuses to offer a fair settlement
The weeks after a car accident can be a stressful and confusing time. Our team can handle the insurance company, giving you the time you need to cope with the physical and emotional aftermath of the collision.
Meeting All Critical Filing Deadlines
Filing a car accident lawsuit involves meeting a state-mandated deadline. Missing this deadline can result in the dismissal of your case, meaning you receive no compensation for your damages. When we represent you, we can make sure you are aware of the deadline in your case and any rules that may allow you to extend it.
However, it’s important to reach out to us as soon as you can after the collision. That way, we can stay ahead of the deadline even while we attempt to negotiate a settlement. This helps us to protect your right to sue.
Get a Car Accident Lawyer to Help You Fight for Compensation
You do not have to seek financial compensation after a car accident without legal assistance. Contact a member of our personal injury team today to learn more about how much it will cost to hire a car accident lawyer from our firm and the advantages hiring a lawyer may bring to your lawsuit. Call (337) 777-7777 to reach Laborde Earles Injury Lawyers today.