If another person’s actions caused your bicycle accident injuries, you might be entitled to financial compensation. However, the thought of hiring a lawyer is intimidating for many people because they assume it is expensive.
Fortunately, hiring a lawyer won’t cost you anything upfront. Most personal injury attorneys, including our Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers, handle cases on a contingency fee basis. The attorney fee is a percentage that is taken from your winnings.
Below, we’ll cover how a contingency fee agreement works, price ranges, and the benefits of hiring a bicycle accident lawyer. After a Georgia bicycle accident, call John Foy & Associates. We’ve secured over $1 billion in verdicts and settlements and charge nothing unless we win.
What Are Bicycle Accident Lawyer Contingency Fees?
Bicycle accident lawyers are a type of personal injury lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work based on a contingency fee payment structure.
Here’s how it works:
- There is no upfront charge to start working with the attorney.
- You only pay the lawyer if they get you compensation.
- If the lawyer does not win your case, you don’t pay them any fees.
- If your lawyer wins you a settlement or an award, they will take a percentage as their payment.
- There will be other smaller costs associated with your case. Each lawyer handles these expenses slightly differently. Most of the time, the lawyer deducts these additional fees from the final settlement or court award.
Contingency Fee Percentages
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), a personal injury lawyer’s contingency fee is at least one-third (or 33%) of the recovery. If you end up filing a lawsuit, the cost will usually be higher.
A lawyer’s cost could be higher than this, depending on the law firm and the circumstances of your case. Before hiring a lawyer, you should be clear on how much their services will cost.
Specifically, there should be a written agreement between you and your attorney. This document should contain all the details about your fee agreement. Our Atlanta-based personal injury law firm is completely transparent when discussing our payment structure.
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What Is a Lawyer’s Cost if the Case Goes to Trial?
Fortunately, most bicycle accident cases do not go to trial. The majority are settled well before your case escalates to that point. However, a lawyer’s fee will typically be higher if they take your case to trial.
The standard contingency fee for going to trial is around 40% of what you win. The cost is higher to cover the additional work your lawyer will do. Although the fee is higher, you have the potential to bring home a lot more.
Most of the time, your attorney will try to settle through an insurance claim. But going to trial could be the best option if:
- You have suffered severe injuries and serious personal injury damages.
- It’s unclear who was at fault for the crash.
- The driver or their insurance company refuses to settle.
Even with a fee increase, your lawyer will still not charge their price unless they win. If there is no settlement or court award, there’s no lawyer fee to pay.
Are There Costs Besides the Contingency Fee for a Bike Accident Lawyer?
As your lawyer works on your case, they will have specific costs, like:
- Fees for getting medical records
- Postage costs
- Printing or copying fees
- Investigator costs
- Expert witness fees
- Crash report fees
- Case filing costs
- Trial exhibits
- Jury fees
- Depositions
The above costs are relatively low. During the consultation, you can ask your lawyer about what additional expenses they anticipate. They can also explain how they handle these costs.
Most bicycle accident lawyers will take the extra costs from your settlement. However, some require you to repay expenses upfront. Make sure you understand the conditions before hiring a personal injury attorney.
What Damages Can I Seek After a Bicycle Accident?
After experiencing a bicycle accident, understanding the potential compensation you may pursue is crucial. Various factors influence the amount of compensation available, including the severity of injuries, property damage, and liability.
While every case is unique, common damages sought in bicycle accident claims include:
- Medical expenses: Compensation for medical bills, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and future medical care
- Lost income: Reimbursement for wages lost due to the accident, including missed workdays, reduced earning capacity, and potential future income loss
- Property damage: Compensation for damage to your bicycle, helmet, and other personal belongings
- Pain and suffering: Non-economic damages to compensate you for physical suffering, emotional distress, and decreased quality of life
- Loss of consortium: Compensation for the impact of the accident on your relationship with your spouse, specifically loss of companionship and intimacy
Consulting with knowledgeable bicycle accident attorneys can help you understand your rights, assess the full extent of your damages, and pursue fair compensation.
What Else Should You Look for in a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
How much a bicycle accident lawyer costs is essential. You’ll want to know what to expect after your case is resolved. But there are other factors to consider before working with a lawyer.
To find the best lawyer for your needs, consider things like:
- How many cases like yours the lawyer has worked
- How much attention a lawyer can devote to your case
- Whether or not the attorney regularly handles bicycle accidents
- Whether you have a good rapport with the lawyer
You will want to feel comfortable with any attorney you hire. You’ll need to be honest with them about every aspect of your accident. Also, the attorney should have experience with claims similar to yours.
While the lawyer’s cost is undoubtedly important, so is your comfort in communicating with them and how well they can work your case.
Can You Handle Your Bicycle Accident Claim Without a Lawyer?
There is no requirement for you to hire a lawyer for your claim. However, it’s generally a bad idea to handle your case alone. Although you’ll avoid the legal fees without a lawyer, a lawyer could help you walk away with more money.
Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers have worked on countless cases like yours. They know how insurance companies operate, and they know how to handle them. A seasoned attorney will consider damages and accident cases that haven’t even crossed your mind.
Insurance companies are not on your side. The insurance adjuster will do whatever they can to reduce your settlement. If you do not have a lawyer, the insurer might not take your case seriously.
Get Back to Your Normal Life Sooner
A personal injury claim should make you as whole as possible. Since you did not cause your accident, you shouldn’t have to pay the costs associated with it. A bicycle accident lawyer can fight for the recovery you deserve.
Accident cases are also stressful. Instead of worrying about the legal details, you can focus on healing. Your lawyer can handle everything else, including communication with the insurer.
If an insurance adjuster sees that you have a lawyer, they’re more likely to make a fair offer. The insurer will know that you’re serious and might be more inclined to settle for a higher amount to avoid a trial.
Is Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Worth it?
It’s normal to wonder if you really need a lawyer’s help. Many injured victims wonder if they can handle their cases alone. While you have every right to represent yourself, we do not recommend it.
Working with a bicycle accident lawyer can get you much more of the compensation you need. Here are some of the top benefits:
Many Years of Hands-On Experience
Experienced lawyers have spent many years working on bicycle accident cases. They will know how to:
- Gather the right evidence and information
- Build a strong personal injury claim
- Handle the negligent driver’s insurance company
- Negotiate for a higher settlement
- Avoid common mistakes laypeople make
A good lawyer will know how to fight for the best recovery possible. Hiring one could be the difference between a tiny settlement and one covering all of your personal injury damages.
Vast Knowledge of Insurance Companies
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to avoid paying out. The insurer will look for ways to challenge your claim. Thankfully, qualified bicycle accident lawyers know how to respond.
An experienced lawyer can protect you from common insurance company tactics. And as we mentioned, insurers are likely to offer more if they see you have an attorney.
Best Chance of a Fair Recovery
Hiring a lawyer is ideal in most situations. Unless your damages were minor, you will probably require professional help. A study on paying for auto injuries shows just how helpful a lawyer can be. The study found that those with an attorney typically won 3.5 times more.
Lawyers have many years of schooling and experience for a good reason. A bicycle accident lawyer will be familiar with the laws pertaining to your crash. With an experienced attorney on your side, there won’t be any shocking or unpleasant surprises.
A lawyer can also determine all of your damages. If you try to handle your case alone, you could be leaving a lot of money on the table. Your attorney will work to cover all of the accident costs the other party caused.
Talk to a Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we believe in transparency when it comes to fees. We are proud to work on a contingency basis for our valued clients. We have a proven track record of successful case results, and we don’t get paid a dime unless we win.
If you are in Georgia and have questions about pursuing an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit, contact us today to discuss the details during a free consultation. We’ll evaluate your case, answer any questions you have, and talk about how we can help.
With 20+ years of experience, we know what it takes to win bicycle accident claims.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
