You’ve been in a bicycle accident that wasn’t your fault. You’re probably looking into hiring a lawyer for help. A common question we get is about how much a bicycle accident lawyer will cost to hire.
Every law firm is slightly different in their policies. However, the standard fee is pretty typical for most injury lawyers. Before hiring a lawyer, you’ll want to get clear on their prices and how they work.
Here’s what you need to know about the cost of working with a bicycle accident lawyer.
What Are Bicycle Accident Lawyer Contingency Fees?
Bicycle accident lawyers are a type of personal injury lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee structure. Here’s how it works:
- There is no upfront charge to start working with the attorney.
- You only pay the lawyer if they win you compensation.
- If the lawyer does not win your case, you don’t pay them any fee.
- If your lawyer does win 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 additional fees from the settlement.
The average bicycle accident lawyer fee is 33% or 1/3 of what they win for you. A lawyer’s cost could be higher than this, depending on the case. Before hiring a lawyer, you should be clear on how much their services will cost.
There should be a written agreement between you and your attorney. The document should contain all details about your fee agreement.
What Is a Lawyer’s Cost if the Case Goes to Trial?
Thankfully, most bicycle accident cases do not go to trial. The majority get settled well before trial is a real concern. 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. Personal injury trials take a lot of time and energy. 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 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.
No matter the 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 for you.
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 expenses
- Crash report fees
- Case filing costs
- Trial exhibits
- Jury fees
- Depositions
The extra costs are typically not very high. 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 might require you to repay expenses upfront. Make sure you understand the conditions before hiring your attorney.
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 resolves. But there are other factors to consider before working with a lawyer.
To find the best lawyer for 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 specializes in bicycle accidents
- Whether or not you have excellent communication 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 similar experiences with claims like yours.
While the lawyer’s cost is undoubtedly important, so is your rapport with them and how well they can work your case.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-400-4000
Is It Worth Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
A lawyer is the best idea in most situations. Unless your damages were very minor, you will probably require professional help. A study on paying for auto injuries shows how helpful a lawyer can be. The study found that those with an attorney 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 surrounding your crash. With an 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 miss out on some compensation you deserve. 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 contingency for our clients. We don’t get paid unless we win your case.
Contact us today to discuss the details during a FREE consultation. We’ll look at your case, answer your questions, and talk about how we can help. With 20-plus years of experience, we know what it takes to win bicycle accident claims.
To schedule your FREE consultation, call (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.
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