The fee structure for personal injury attorneys can vary, but there are several common payment methods used by most firms. Here are some of the most common ways that personal injury attorneys charge for their services:
Contingency fee: A contingency fee is a type of fee arrangement in which the attorney takes a percentage of the settlement or award as their fee. This is a popular method of payment for personal injury cases because it means that the attorney will not get paid unless they recover compensation for the client. In these cases, the attorney typically takes a percentage of the recovery, usually around 33% to 40%, as their fee.
Hourly fee: Some personal injury attorneys charge an hourly fee for their services. This means that the attorney will bill you for the time they spend working on your case, usually at a rate of $200 to $500 per hour. This type of fee arrangement can be more expensive than a contingency fee, especially if your case goes to trial and requires a significant amount of time and effort from the attorney.
Flat fee: In some cases, personal injury attorneys may charge a flat fee for their services. This means that you will pay a set amount, regardless of how much time the attorney spends on your case or how much compensation you recover. Flat fees are typically only used for relatively simple cases that do not require a significant amount of work from the attorney.
Retainer: A retainer is a fee that is paid upfront to secure the services of an attorney. The retainer is placed in a trust account and the attorney will bill against it as work is performed on the case. Once the retainer is depleted, the attorney may require additional payment or may switch to a contingency fee arrangement.
In conclusion, the fee structure for personal injury attorneys can vary, but contingency fees are the most common method of payment for these types of cases. It’s important to understand the fee structure before hiring an attorney, and to ask about any additional costs or expenses that may be associated with the case. Keith D. Leshine Attorney At Law, LLC, located in Duluth, GA, can provide you with more information about their fee structure and help you determine the best payment method for your case.