After a car accident, you may have serious concerns about recovering the compensation you need for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage. While hiring a lawyer is a great way to maximize your compensation, you may not know if you can afford one. Fortunately, most Wisconsin car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so being able to afford their services isn’t an issue.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
Personal injury lawyers typically bill clients by the hour or work on a contingency fee basis. Contingency fees are the most common option because they benefit both parties. The client doesn’t need to pay anything upfront, and the lawyer gets more business as a result.
But what is a contingency fee? A contingency fee is when a lawyer gets paid a percentage of the settlement or trial award they recover for their client. Basically, you don’t pay anything unless your lawyer recovers compensation for you. And the fee you pay comes out of that compensation, so you never have to worry about being able to afford legal assistance.
Typical Wisconsin Car Accident Fees
In Wisconsin, a typical contingency fee for a car accident case ranges from 30 to 40 percent of the total recovery amount. The exact percentage may depend on several factors, including:
- The experience and reputation of your attorney
- The complexity of your case
- Whether your case goes to trial
Some law firms have set contingency fees that apply to all cases, while others have variable fees. And some attorneys also allow clients to negotiate their fees.
What Does the Lawyer Fee Cover?
The lawyer fee typically covers all legal services related to your case. This includes things like:
- The time the lawyer spends investigating the accident and gathering evidence and medical records
- The time spent communicating with the insurance company and negotiating a settlement
Always Ask About Attorney Fees
When you have your initial consultation with an attorney about your case, one of the things you should come out of the meeting knowing is the attorney’s fee structure. Do they charge hourly, or do they work for a contingency fee? If they charge hourly, what is their rate? And if they work for a contingency fee, what percentage do they charge?
Any reputable lawyer will be open and honest about the fees they charge. Be wary of lawyers who don’t want to discuss fees or extra costs that may be incurred, avoid answering your questions related to fees, or provide vague answers regarding their fees.
Contact Our Wisconsin Car Accident Lawyers
If you were in a Wisconsin car accident, call or contact Atterbury, Kammer & Haag, S.C., to speak with an experienced personal injury lawyer about your case. During your initial consultation, we’ll explain our firm’s fee structure and everything it includes, so you know what to expect and there are no surprises later on.