Personal injury claims can feel very intimidating. You might be worried about having to appear at a legal building, like the Vermilion Parish Courthouse. The costs are another factor that deters people from filing a claim. Learning how much a personal injury lawyer costs in Abbeville, LA, can help you feel more confident in filing a personal injury claim.
Experienced Personal Injury Lawyers in Abbeville
When we say that we’re super lawyers, that’s not an exaggeration. The attorneys at Sanchez Burke, LLC, have been on the Super Lawyers list for over 15 consecutive years. We get these consistent rankings by treating our clients like we would our own family.
Attorney Costs in a Personal Injury Case
The exact amount a personal injury lawyer costs varies based on how they charge their clients. One of the most common forms is using contingency fees. This means the attorney doesn’t receive their payment until they win it for their clients.
Contingency fees are a portion of the overall settlement. Different lawyers charge different amounts based on several factors. Before agreeing to work with an attorney, be sure to ask them what their percentage of the settlement will be.
While most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee, some bill hourly. These attorneys have a standard rate that they charge based on how much time they spend working on your case. No matter the fee schedule, the amount an attorney charges will also be based on their experience level and the cost of living in their area.
For certain services, some attorneys charge a flat fee. This is usually done for simpler cases. In these instances, the attorney can estimate how much time the case will take. Then, they can offer a more accurate estimate upfront.
Other Costs in a Personal Injury Case
The expenses in a personal injury claim extend beyond attorney’s fees. Here are some other fees you should be aware of:
- Court fees. Virtually every action you take with the court costs money. Filing the claim itself costs money, as does serving court papers to other people involved with the case.
- Professional witnesses. Many claims need professionals to explain the scope of your injuries. Some of these witnesses might come from places like Abbeville General Hospital. They usually charge a fee for their services.
- Resolution fees. Some claims are resolved through alternative methods, like arbitration or mediation. They require third parties to weigh in on a case. These services are often cheaper than going to court, but they still cost money.
- Document fees. Requesting and submitting documents costs money. However, these documents are essential for proving certain elements of your personal injury claim.
- Appellate fees. Some claims are appealed after the initial verdict. An appellate court process requires additional money on top of the initial court fees.
Law firms that work on personal injury cases often cover these costs for their clients until a settlement is paid out. The fees are then deducted from the overall settlement amount.
Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?
The median household income in Abbeville is $39,566. This is considerably lower than the national average. It might make some people hesitant to work with an attorney because of the initial cost.
However, an Abbeville personal injury attorney can negotiate or litigate your case. Their work can enable you to obtain a full settlement or case award. They can also secure more money than you would have initially received from an insurance company.
Even if an attorney takes money out of a settlement, the remaining amount can still be higher than they would have gotten alone. This is because an attorney knows what to ask for, per the state’s personal injury laws.
Some people don’t think about the long-term implications of their injuries. They don’t realize how much their future medical expenses could cost or how much income they might lose over time.
These can all be compensated for in a personal injury settlement. The likelihood of securing an adequate amount for these damages is higher when working with an attorney.
Why Choose Us?
Sanchez Burke, LLC, has over 40 years of experience in personal injury claims. This experience does come with an upfront cost, but it often pays for itself after the settlement is paid out. We pride ourselves on fighting for as much money as possible from the at-fault party in a personal injury case.
FAQs
How Much Do Most Personal Injury Lawyers Charge?
Most personal injury lawyers charge a percentage of the overall settlement amount they recover. This percentage varies per firm, but it is usually based on the attorney’s experience, the details of the case, and the cost of living in the area. The exact amount they take depends on how much they recover. Their fees are taken out before they are given to the client.
Do Personal Injury Cases Have to Go to Court?
Personal injury cases do not necessarily have to go to court. Many of them settle before they reach that point. Sometimes, these cases can be worked out between the two parties. If not, they can try other options, like mediation or arbitration. A case needs to go to court if an agreement is not reached using these methods.
How Is Money Calculated in a Personal Injury Claim Settlement?
Money is calculated in a personal injury claim settlement based on what happened. The amount of money the victim requests varies based on the scope of their injuries and how traumatic they were. These damages are then reduced by the amount of fault the victim is assigned for the accident.
How Are Personal Injury Settlements Paid Out?
Personal injury settlements are paid out by the attorney who won them. They first remove all their service fees as well as any fees the court charged them. These funds are then paid to the client via check. There are different types of payments available, including lump sums and structured settlements.
Getting Income People Depend On
In 2022, 31.7% of Abbeville residents were at or below the poverty line. The money from a personal injury settlement can be life-changing for these families. For more information on how you might recover damages for a personal injury in Abbeville, schedule a consultation with Sanchez Burke, LLC.
