Car accidents are a leading cause of accidental injuries and deaths in the state, and the state enforces the fault rule for resolving these incidents. That means it will be essential to prove fault for your recent car accident if you want to maximize the recovery of your damages. However, this is more difficult for some car accident cases than it is for others, and having legal counsel on your side will make all the recovery efforts you pursue more likely to succeed and generate positive results.
A Denver, CO, car accident lawyer is an invaluable asset. The right attorney can not only make filing your claim much easier, but they could also potentially reveal channels of compensation you did not know were available to you, enhancing the total compensation you obtain for your accident. Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe that hiring legal counsel would be prohibitively expensive, especially in the face of the various economic losses they suffered. This discourages some people from seeking legal counsel when they need it most, and it’s important to avoid making the same mistake if you believe you need legal counsel for your impending car accident claim.
Understanding Contingency Fee Billing
The Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal accepts personal injury claims, including car accident claims, on a contingency fee basis. This billing policy makes legal counsel more accessible to those who need it most by removing the financial risk commonly associated with the cost of hiring legal representation. Instead of paying upfront and ongoing hourly attorneys’ fees that can add up tremendously in a short amount of time, a contingency fee agreement only requires the client to pay a fee to their attorney after their attorney wins their case.
Additionally, a contingency fee is a predetermined percentage of the final case award. For example, if you win $100,000 in compensation for a claim and your attorney charges a 25% contingency fee, they will take $25,000 of your case award, leaving you with $75,000. This may sound expensive to some, but the reality is that the average person would be unlikely to achieve the same result on their own, nor would they be able to do so within a reasonable amount of time due to facing their economic issues, their legal proceedings, and their medical complications all at once. If the attorney does not succeed with the claim for any reason, the client pays nothing.
It’s understandable to be hesitant about hiring legal representation for your car accident claim, but it is crucial to understand how attorneys bill their clients and the importance of investing in reliable legal counsel. The right attorney can streamline your path to recovery and significantly improve your overall experience with the legal proceedings you face. Always verify a potential attorney’s billing policy before you agree to their representation so there are no unwelcome surprises when it comes to the cost of their services.
FAQs
Q: What Is the Average Car Accident Settlement?
A: Every car accident case is different, and it is natural for anyone pursuing compensation for an accident to wonder how much they could potentially secure for their damages. On average, car accident victims are able to recover about 150% of the total economic damages they suffered in their accidents. Having an experienced attorney assist you with your recovery efforts significantly improves your chances of maximizing your recovery.
Q: Will the At-Fault Driver Go to Jail for Causing an Accident?
A: The driver who caused your accident is liable for your civil damages, including vehicle repair bills, medical expenses, lost income, and your pain and suffering, but they are not likely to face criminal charges unless they caused the accident by breaking a Colorado law. For example, if you were hit by a drunk driver, they will face prosecution for violating DUI laws alongside their liability for your civil damages.
Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations for a Car Accident Claim?
A: Colorado enforces a three-year statute of limitations for car accident claims, meaning you must pursue legal recourse against the driver who hit you within three years of the date your accident occurred. This may sound like plenty of time but remember that you must gather the evidence to prove liability as well as prove the extent of your damages before actually filing your civil suit. It is advisable to consult an experienced attorney as quickly as you can after your accident to ensure you meet the statute of limitations.
Q: Is It Worth Hiring a Car Accident Attorney?
A: Even if fault for your recent accident seems perfectly clear, you could face risks you are not prepared to address on your own if you tried to handle your case yourself. Hiring an experienced attorney to represent you not only significantly improves your chances of success with your recovery efforts, but you will be far more likely to maximize your total compensation with their assistance. It is always worth investing in trustworthy legal counsel for any car accident claim.
Q: How Much Does a Car Accident Attorney Take From a Settlement?
A: When an attorney offers contingency fee billing to a client, the client must pay a percentage of their final case award to the attorney as their fee. However, they will only pay this fee if and when the attorney wins their case, and they owe nothing if the attorney cannot secure compensation on their behalf. Most attorneys charge between 25% and 40% as their contingency fees, but the exact percentage typically depends on the overall complexity of the case and the scope of damages the client can potentially recover from the defendant.
It’s natural for anyone to have questions and concerns about the cost of legal counsel when they need representation for a car accident claim. However, legal expenses are no cause for alarm when you choose the Law Firm of Jeremy Rosenthal to represent you. If you are struggling with the effects of your recent accident and need trustworthy legal counsel, contact us today and schedule a free consultation with a car accident attorney.
