Nowadays, lack of finances is not an issue anymore if you want to pursue a personal injury claim. In fact, victims may choose from a variety of professional fees payment offered by those legal practitioners.
Three Types of Fees Arrangement
Hourly Rate
This is considered as the oldest scheme of charging legal clients wherein the lawyer charges you depending on the number of hours he has imparted his services to you. Typically, a lawyer’s rate per hour depends on his expertise, credibility, experience and even on the type of case that you have. It may range from $100 to $500 or even higher.
Aside from his hourly fees, you will also be paying for deposition costs, long distance calls and other fees. Thus, before hiring a lawyer, it would be a wise move to ask him how much time he actually needs to resolve your legal case.
Flat Rate
This type of arrangement is very much practical for those clients who have simple and uncomplicated legal problems such as personal injury out of court settlements. Usually, a lawyer will be informing you his exact fee for his services.
In this case, you must be certain if the said amount is free from any other hidden charges that might come out after the result of the case. More so, you may ask your lawyer what will be the case if your legal problem does not have a positive outcome.
Contingent Basis
This manner of payment goes well with personal injury claims and other non-criminal cases. In this particular arrangement, you will not have any obligation to pay your lawyer unless you have already won your case and received your money. He will base your bills on a certain percentage of your total recoveries. This may range from 30% to 45%.
But still, like in the other two types of arrangement; you should ask your lawyer if you would not be charged with other expenses such as retainers and documentation fees.
Getting a Written Agreement
A formal document that contains all the details regarding the payment scheme is important if you do not want to be a victim of clever lawyers. This will serve as your proof that you only have to pay him the specified amount. In addition, you may have it examined by other lawyers for some irregularities.