When considering getting legal help for your claim, the cost of a car accident lawyer is a valid concern. However, in most cases, it does not cost anything out of your pocket, and you will not be charged anything upfront. The lawyer’s fee at the conclusion of your case will come out of your settlement rather than your bank account.
Preparing a car accident claim is an involved and time-consuming legal undertaking. No one injured by another driver’s negligence should go without legal support out of fear of its costs. It is not a task you must handle alone because Boca Raton car accident lawyers typically accept cases on a contingency fee basis. This common fee structure means you can get all the help you need right from the start.
What Fees and Legal Services Will My Car Accident Lawyer Cover?
You do not have to wait to hire a lawyer. In fact, it is never too soon to do so since they will not ask you to come up with a large retainer or charge you traditional hourly fees. Instead, your personal injury attorney will accept a percentage of your financial award (settlement or verdict) as compensation.
The costs your Florida personal injury lawyer will cover include:
- Fees to file your car accident lawsuit in the appropriate courthouse
- Consultation fees for medical and financial experts
- Collection and copying fees for the discovery process
- Any fees associated with depositions and transcripts
- Any costs for participating in mediation or arbitration
The pre-disclosed percentage of your settlement is your attorney’s only compensation. If you do not recover damages, you will not owe the law firm anything.
Is Evidence Collection Included in the Contingency Fee?
Every fee or expense related to preparing your case is included in the contingency fee agreement. The evidence your lawyer will collect to build your car accident case may include:
- Accident reconstruction
- Accident scene photos
- First responder reports
- Injury photos
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Police report
- Proof of income
- Video footage
- Witness statements
- Written prognosis
Evidence-related costs can include copying, court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, transcripts, and investigation and evidence collection expenses. Additional costs covered by the contingency fee can include administrative fees and forensic evidence tests and results.
When Is the Best Time to Hire a Car Accident Attorney in Florida?
The sooner a lawyer gets to work on your case, the more time they have to conduct a thorough investigation, which can include:
- Speaking to witnesses while their memories are vivid
- Examining or collecting evidence while it is still fresh
- Meeting Florida’s car accident statute of limitations
Car accident cases, especially multi-vehicle collisions, can be complicated, and the sooner an investigation gets underway, the better.
What Is the Car Accident Lawsuit Filing Deadline in Florida?
In most cases, the personal injury or wrongful death statute of limitations is generally two years, according to Florida Statutes § 95.11. With the limited exceptions in Florida Statutes § 95.051, the filing deadline is mandatory. If it expires, and you do not file your lawsuit on time, you may be unable to file. In addition, the insurance company may refuse to negotiate a settlement.
Your motor vehicle accident lawyer can help you assess any potential exceptions or fluctuations that apply to your case and meet the required filing deadline.
What Kind of Compensation Can a Car Accident Lawyer Recover?
To achieve the best possible settlement on your behalf, your auto accident attorney will create a detailed list of your recoverable damages. They will ensure you do not overlook or omit any valid forms of compensation, including:
- Economic damages, including known and anticipated medical bills, known and anticipated lost wages, loss of future earning potential, and vehicle damage, destruction, or diminished value.
- Non-economic damages, such as lasting disabilities, disfiguring injuries, physical pain and suffering, mental anguish, emotional anxiety, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death damages, including funeral and burial expenses, loss of financial and familial contributions, loss of consortium and companionship, and survivors’ damages.
In rare cases, you may also qualify for punitive damages. These damages are designed to penalize egregious wrongdoing or gross negligence (for example, in DUI accident claims). Your lawyer will inform you if your case qualifies for this additional form of compensation.
What Does the Evidence a Car Accident Lawyer Collects Prove?
An effective evidence collection will prove the legal components of negligence required for a successful personal injury claim. These elements prove the at-fault party is responsible for your accident and resulting injuries. They are the key that opens the door to financial recovery.
You do not have to prove negligence alone. Your car accident injury lawyer will investigate your accident and collect evidence of the at-fault driver’s negligence. To succeed in your case, they must gather evidence of the following four legal elements of negligence:
Duty of Care
Duty of care refers to the at-fault driver’s responsibility to operate their vehicle safely.
Breach of Duty
The responsible party typically breaches their duty of care by deviating from the rules of the road. This can include disregarding traffic signs and signals, distracted driving, or any other action that disregards the safety of others.
Causation
This is the direct correlation between the negligent driver’s actions and the cause of your accident. For example, perhaps another driver was texting while driving, ran a stop sign, and sideswiped your car.
Damages
Damages are any financial or non-financial consequences you experienced because of the accident. These are the economic, non-economic, and wrongful damages in your compensation request.
Find Out How You Can Hire a Car Accident Lawyer at No Out-of-Pocket Cost
Concern about how much a car accident lawyer costs should not prevent you from getting legal service and support when you need it. The sooner you get a lawyer behind your fight for damages, the better, and getting help right from the start may greatly benefit your case.
Learn more about the value of having a car accident lawyer from Ged Lawyers on your side. Contact our personal injury law firm to get started with a free initial consultation today.
