How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Georgia Personal Injury Lawyer?

If you have been injured in an accident that someone else caused, you may be facing costly hospital bills and rehabilitative care expenses. If you are unable to work or earn income for a lengthy period of time, you may experience financial stress.

Many injury victims are hesitant to talk to Dultuh personal injury lawyers because they believe that they cannot afford a lawyer. You might feel the same way. But what you might not realize is that most personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis. The initial case review is typically free. And you will not owe any legal fee unless the attorney obtains compensation for you.

At the law offices of Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., we’ll discuss why it’s worthwhile to consult with a personal injury attorney if you have been injured in an accident caused by someone else and you are facing an expensive road to recovery.

Should I Hire a Georgia Personal Injury Attorney?

Trying to handle an injury case on your own can be stressful and overwhelming, especially if you are still trying to recover from your injuries. The claims process is complex. You may not have the energy or resources to conduct your own investigation into the accident. Even if you do, you are likely to be less familiar with the types of evidence to look for to build the strongest case possible.

If you have been injured and someone else is responsible, then you should have a personal injury lawyer review the details and discuss the options available to you. A personal injury attorney can handle every aspect of your case for you while you focus on getting better and rebuilding your life.

A seasoned personal injury attorney can:

• Conduct a thorough investigation into the accident.
• Identify and preserve evidence to support your case, including surveillance camera footage, police reports, witness testimony, accident reconstruction expert testimony, and photo evidence.
• Determine liability based on the evidence collected.
• Document the financial losses you have suffered due to the accident, including medical bills, lost income, and property damage. An experienced attorney will be able to quantify your non-financial losses, such as the pain and suffering you endured.
• Negotiate with the insurance company. Insurance companies are for-profit entities, and insurance adjusters may use various tactics to reduce or deny your claim. If you try to negotiate with an insurance adjuster on your own, you may be pressured to accept an offer that is less than the fair value of the claim. An experienced personal injury attorney will know how to counter insurers’ tactics and can vigorously negotiate on your behalf. This will improve your chances of recovering the full compensation you need.
• Take your case to trial, if necessary. If the insurance company refuses to negotiate in good faith and a settlement can’t be reached, your attorney can file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf and present your case in court. It is imperative to have the representation of a skilled trial attorney during the court process. A seasoned personal injury attorney will fiercely advocate for your interests.

Hiring a Duluth personal injury attorney should not add to your financial burden.

Contingency Fees

You may be asking yourself “How much does it cost to hire a personal injury lawyer?” Most personal injury attorneys handle injury cases on a contingency fee basis. The purpose of contingency fees is to make it easier for injured individuals to get the legal help they need.

Typically, an attorney hired through a contingency fee basis arrangement will only get paid a legal fee if the attorney secures compensation for the client through a settlement or a court award. Essentially, your attorney won’t get paid if you do not get paid. If your attorney does secure compensation for you, the attorney will charge an agreed-upon percentage of the final settlement or verdict.

What Are Some Different Types of Contingency Fees?

There are different kinds of contingency fee arrangements. Some law firms use a sliding scale fee structure. The legal fee may be one percentage if the case is settled without a lawsuit, and a higher percentage if the case goes to trial. If you are considering hiring a personal injury attorney, you need to understand what the attorney’s contingency fee structure is.

At the law firm of Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., we have one percentage that we charge whether we settle the case before filing a lawsuit or take it to trial. Contingency fees incentivize attorneys to take cases that have potential and to work hard to secure compensation for their clients.

Ask your attorney about their legal fees at your initial meeting to determine what percentage of your settlement they would receive.

Court Costs and Other Expenses

You should also clarify whether you will be responsible for the court fees and other expenses, including those associated with:

Attorneys differ on how they charge clients for these expenses. It’s important to discuss court costs and other fees with your lawyer at your initial meeting. Some lawyers will charge you in monthly installments as costs are incurred. Other lawyers might opt to deduct these costs from any settlement.

It’s impossible to know precisely how much these extra costs will amount to, but in general, the longer your case takes to resolve, the more expenses you are likely to incur. Many personal injury cases settle before they make it to trial because trials are costly and time-consuming for everyone involved, including the insurance companies.

Read Your Contingent Fee Agreement

Georgia attorneys are required to put their contingency fees in writing. You should thoroughly read and review the agreement before you sign it. This document will also outline how and when you will pay for expenses related to your personal injury lawsuit. At Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., we make a point of going over the contingency fee agreement with clients to make sure they understand it.

How Can a Georgia Personal Injury Attorney Help Your Case?

If you were injured due to another person’s negligence, you may be eligible to pursue compensation. If you are facing steep medical bills and other costs as a result of your injury, it is important to consult with an attorney.

The more serious and costly your injury is, the more critical it is to consult an experienced personal injury attorney. If you try to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company on your own, you may end up with a settlement that doesn’t cover your expenses. The last thing you should have to do is pay out of pocket for injuries that aren’t your fault.

The personal injury attorneys at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. can help you seek the full financial compensation you need to recover physically and financially if you have been harmed by someone else’s carelessness or disregard for safety. Our attorneys are prepared to review your case thoroughly, collect evidence to support it and craft a strategy to pursue your desired positive outcome.

Contact us today for a free initial consultation.

Kevin A. Adamson, P.C.

Kevin Adamson is a former college baseball player who brings a competitive spirit to personal injury trials and settlement negotiations. Kevin played baseball at LaGrange College and went on to earn his MBA from Lynchburg College and his J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law. Since 2001, he has focused on personal injury law and secured numerous six- and seven-figure results for his clients. He is also a registered arbitrator and mediator with extensive experience handling contract negotiations for a variety of professional services, including athletic contracts. Kevin also owns his own airplane and makes frequent use of it for his law practice, which has taken him to 18 states.