If you or a loved one was injured in a personal injury accident in Edmonton, it can be a stressful and terrifying experience, especially if it caused serious injuries and expensive medical bills. If the accident was the result of another person’s negligence or reckless behaviour, then the experience can be even more frustrating.
Fortunately, if you were injured because of another person’s negligence, then you have the right to file a claim and be compensated for your injuries, medical bills, missed time from work and pain and suffering. To do so, the best way to proceed with your claim is to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer in Edmonton shortly after your accident and hire them to take your case.
However, many people wrongly believe that they can’t afford a personal injury lawyer, and many more are confused about how personal injury lawyer rates work. This blog will give you a better idea about how personal injury lawyer billing in Edmonton functions and why you should hire a lawyer if you’ve been injured.
What is a contingency fee basis?
If you’ve been reading personal injury lawyer websites, then you’ve probably come across the phrase “contingency fee basis” numerous times. That’s because most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. But what does that mean exactly?
If you hire a lawyer on a contingency fee basis, it means that you do not pay any out-of-pocket fees. You will only pay your lawyer if a settlement is reached, in which case the agreed-upon percentage (the contingency fee) is paid out of the settlement. If there is not a settlement, then you will not owe your lawyer anything.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis because it has benefits for both the victim and the lawyers. The most obvious benefit for the victim is that they don’t need to pay any money upfront, so anyone who is wrongly injured because of negligence can file a claim and be represented by a competent personal injury lawyer no matter what their financial situation.
The second benefit of the contingency fee structure is that it disincentivizes personal injury lawyers from taking cases they can’t win. Therefore, if you consult with a personal injury lawyer about your accident and they are willing to take your case, then it means they believe you can win your claim and you should be confident moving forward.
What percentage does a personal injury lawyer take?
The exact percentage a personal injury lawyer can charge if you win a successful claim varies. Some of the important factors lawyers consider when determining their contingency rates can include the nature and type of claim, various market factors, and the potential size of the settlement. That said, most personal injury lawyers charge a contingency fee between 25-40 percent, with around 33 percent being the average.
So that means if you win a settlement for $100,000 and the contingency fee (which is agreed upon beforehand) is 30 percent, then you will pay $30,000 in lawyer fees and the remaining settlement reward of $70,000 will be yours (minus disbursement fees). While this might seem like a lot to pay out, remember, you will only pay anything if you win your case. In other words, you have nothing to lose by hiring a lawyer to represent you.
What are disbursement fees?
Although the contingency fee is the most substantial sum you will have to pay your personal injury lawyer if you win your claim, it is not the only fee. Disbursement fees, which are meant to cover any costs the lawyer incurred while working on your claim, will also be listed on your bill.
These fees can include costs for securing the accident and medical reports, court fees, photocopying and postage fees, and other expenses the lawyer paid out of pocket while resolving your claim. These charges will be itemized on the final bill you receive from your lawyer. Also, when you receive your settlement claim, it is first sent to your personal injury lawyers, who will determine the bill and then release the balance to you accordingly.
Is it worth it to hire a personal injury lawyer?
No matter what sort of accident you’ve been in if the accident occurred because of the negligence of another person, then hiring a personal injury lawyer to file your claim can be a huge help. Even just consulting with an experienced lawyer for advice, especially at the beginning of your case, is helpful. One of the biggest benefits of having a good personal injury lawyer is that we hire medical experts to provide reports/assessments to document injuries etc. A proper report from one of our respected medical experts can significantly increase the amount of the settlement and also avoid a trial.
Listed below are some of the specific things a personal injury lawyer in Edmonton can do to help you resolve your claim:
- Gather facts and evidence to support your claim and build a strong case from the ground up.
- Protect you against unfair lowball offers from insurance agents.
- Negotiate a fair settlement that takes into account all your injuries and future expenses.
- Represent you in court in the event a settlement can’t be negotiated.
- Protect yourself from making mistakes that could jeopardize your claim.
- Take some of the weight off your shoulders as you take time to heal.
All things considered, it’s very beneficial to have a personal injury lawyer on your team after you’ve been injured. While there are fees to be paid, the benefits of having a personal injury lawyer on your team in Edmonton far outweigh the costs.
Contact the personal injury lawyers of Chadi & Company today
At Chadi & Company, our lawyers have years of experience in Edmonton helping victims of accidents recover the personal injury compensation they deserve. We understand how difficult it can be to suffer injury in an accident and our lawyers will fight for your rights with dedication and the compassion your case deserves.
If you or a loved one has been injured in Edmonton through the negligent or reckless actions of another person or entity, and it was not your fault, contact our experienced personal injury lawyers at Chadi & Company for a free consultation. We can be reached by phone at (780) 429-2300 or online.
