Personal Injury Lawyer – Choosing the Best Attorney

If you have been injured , but are not sure whether you need to talk to an attorney because you fear paying for litigation, you may be surprised to learn out that most personal injury attorneys will review your case without any, or minimal upfront cost.

No Charge First Meeting
Many personal injury attorneys will not charge fees for the first meeting, or consultation. This will give you an opportunity to meet with the attorney, explain the facts and circumstances, and determine his take as to whether you have a legitimate case. Although you may want to find out how much your claim is “worth”, most attorneys will not give you a value on the matter, because so many things are highly unpredictable.

What is a Contingent Fee?
Many personal injury lawyers will usually take a valid claim on a contingency fee arrangement. What is meant by this, is that you will not need to pay the attorney any money up front. The attorney will collect his or her fees to the party at fault, or their insurance company, only if he gains an award for the client. If you do not prevail in your case, you don’t owe any lawyer fees. If you do reach a settlement or receive a court ordered award, the attorney then charges an agreed percentage amount of your total amount for legal compensation. The exact percentage you will pay will usually vary among attorneys, and might be regulated in some jurisdictions, but usually you will pay anything from 1/3 (33.3%) to 40% for legal fees, should you recover an award.

Legal Costs
Under the law, as well as the ethical regulations, all attorneys must charge you for all expenses incurred while pursuing your claim. Such costs shall include: law enforcement reports, medical reports, court stenographer expenses, and much more. Once again, lawyers differ as to how they are reimbursed for these expenses. Some will pay them as they incur, and then deduct them from your settlement. Others may bill these expenses monthly as the case proceeds.

Every attorney will have a client – attorney agreement which will spell out each parties obligation. You should make sure that you closely review the agreement before you retain any legal representation.

Harry S. Bernstein has been representing personal injury clients and workers compensation clients as an experienced Cleveland, Ohio attorney for several years. Please visit our Cleveland, Ohio attorney website for more information on this topic.