How Much Does it Cost to Hire an Alaska Personal Injury Attorney?
If you were injured in an accident that was not your fault, you need an experienced Alaska personal injury attorney who will seek the compensation you deserve by law. Of course, though you know that legal services cost money, you could be going through difficult financial times because of medical bills and lost wages. One of your first concerns will be how to pay for counsel. Rest assured that most firms charge a contingency fee. This means you do not pay unless and until you receive monetary damages for your losses.
There are some details you need to know about billing on a contingency basis for accident claims. There are different stages in the legal process, and you will incur expenses. Your Anchorage personal injury lawyer will explain all the details in advance, but a summary of how billing works is useful.
Overview of Contingency Fees
When you hear phrases such as “you only pay if you win,” this is a reference to a contingency fee arrangement in the legal field. The Alaska Rules of Professional Conduct cover billing requirements and rules for attorneys, and they allow for an attorney to bill based on the outcome of the case. However, it is a violation of the rules to charge an unreasonable amount for legal services, and there are additional provisions covering what factors are to be considered when determining reasonableness.
In practice, personal injury lawyers usually bill based on a percentage of the total amount you recover through settlement or litigation. The amount is usually around 33% to 40% of the award, though it could be higher as your case proceeds through the legal process. Once it is resolved, your attorney will deduct the percentage from the award and pay the remaining amount to you.
The contingency fee agreement will always be in writing, and you will have a chance to thoroughly review the agreement before signing. Check for the percentages as described above, and also evaluate provisions on how expenses are handled.
Expenses in Accident Cases
Your contingency fee agreement will address the expenses related to pursuing your claim, as your case may require the services of multiple resources. Your lawyer will also deduct costs for:
- Filing and court fees;
- Discovery costs;
- Litigation costs; and, other fees including
- Transportation fees.
In addition, there will be expenses to pay for medical experts and other legal support to prove your claim. Plus, you must pay for discovery and depositions, including a court reporter who records the session.
The bottom line is that personal injury attorneys help you recover monetary damages that you have a right to and that would otherwise be difficult to obtain without an attorney. And they do this by not requiring any upfront money from clients, and by risking all of their time and financial investment in a case.
Our Alaska Injury Lawyers Will Describe Billing Procedures
When times are tough because of injuries you suffered in an accident, it is a relief to know that you only pay for legal services if you win. At Power & Power Law in Anchorage, Alaska, we offer a free consultation in addition to handling accident claims on a contingency fee basis. To learn more about how we bill and what services we provide, please call 907-222-9990 or go online. An attorney can answer additional questions about your case.