Motorcycle accidents often leave victims with serious injuries. That means high medical costs, weeks, months, or even years of missed work, and other damages. The thought of how much it will cost to hire a lawyer for your motorcycle accident case, on top of your other expenses, might seem too daunting—but there’s good news.
Initial Cost of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: Nothing
Many motorcycle accident lawyers, including our attorneys at John Foy & Associates, work on what’s known as contingency. Working on contingency means the lawyer only gets paid if they win their client money. So, if your lawyer is able to win you a settlement or award, a percentage of what you win would be taken as the lawyer’s fee.
If the motorcycle accident lawyer does not win your case, there is no lawyer’s fee for you to pay. This prevents you from having to worry about any upfront costs. It also ensures your lawyer has your best interests in mind at all times since they only win if you do.
According to the American Bar Association (ABA), fees are used in cases where money is being claimed, including motorcycle accidents.
How Much is the Contingency Fee?
The contingency fee may vary depending on the lawyer or the law firm and the details of your case. However, the average contingency fee for motorcycle accident lawyers is between 33.3% (one-third) and 40% of whatever they win you.
Sometimes, a lawyer will use a “sliding scale” for their contingency fee that changes within that common range. If you only need the lawyer for a small task, such as sending the demand letter, and they are able to get you a settlement early on, they might charge a fee towards the lower end. If you end up filing a lawsuit, your case goes all the way to trial, or mediation or arbitration is required, the contingency fee might be closer to or above the 40% mark.
Don’t simply assume a lawyer’s contingency fee structure. Schedule a consultation so you can sit down with them and learn the details about their fees and whether or not they change depending on the details of your case. To schedule a FREE consultation with one of our experienced and compassionate motorcycle accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
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How the Contingency Fee is Taken
Most of the time, your motorcycle accident lawyer will receive the settlement check directly. They will deduce their lawyer fee from the settlement before sending you the remaining balance. This ensures that your lawyer gets paid and you receive your settlement soon after.
Other Potential Fees and Expenses
Besides the legal fee, there are other costs associated with a motorcycle accident case. As your lawyer works on your case, they may face fees from things like:
- Copies of police reports
- Medical records
- Expert witness fees
- Filing fees
- Postage
- Transcripts
- Court reporter fees
- Investigators
Most motorcycle accident lawyers will cover these expenses as they happen. Then, they’ll deduct the fees from your settlement or award before you get the remaining balance. Some lawyers might charge for these fees upfront, but that’s rare.
Again, you’ll want to discuss any of these fees with your lawyer during the consultation. Get clear on how they handle these fees and when you will be responsible for them. Also, find out if they take their lawyer’s fee from the net settlement after fees and expenses have been deducted.
Don’t Wait to Schedule Your Consultation
After a motorcycle accident, the burden is on you (as the victim) to file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages. Most motorcycle accident victims should work with a lawyer to help them pursue the fullest compensation possible. It’s also very important to get started as soon as possible because you only have so long to file your case.
In Georgia, according to Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a claim or lawsuit. This time goes quickly, and there are many things you’ll need to do to build your case along the way. So, it’s best to reach out and schedule a consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Can Help You
You might wonder if hiring a lawyer is actually worth it after your accident. Legal help would certainly be appreciated, but it’s normal to worry about the costs. Thankfully, as we’ve covered here, there are typically no upfront or out-of-pocket expenses from hiring a lawyer who works on contingency.
As soon as you hire your motorcycle accident lawyer, they can begin helping you in the following ways.
Protecting You from the Insurance Company
Insurance adjusters want to spend as little money as possible on a motorcycle accident claim. They might use tactics like:
- Blaming you for the accident even if you were not at fault in any way
- Saying that your injuries did not result from the motorcycle accident
- Downplaying the severity of your injuries
- Offering you a lowball settlement and hoping you’ll take it out of desperation
If you were not at fault for your motorcycle accident, you should not have to pay for the costs. However, insurance companies don’t care about this fact. They are looking to save money, and they are not afraid to look for ways to offer you less. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help protect your rights be handling the insurance company for you.
Building a Strong Case for You
Motorcycle accidents are often very serious. They can leave you with life-threatening or disabling conditions. When you’re dealing with serious injuries and trying to get better, it can be hard to think about anything else.
Your lawyer will handle the details of your case for you. They can help you gather evidence and build a strong claim to file with the insurance company. If the insurance company tries to offer you a low settlement, your lawyer will know how to negotiate for a settlement that is actually fair to you.
If the insurance company refuses to settle and you decide to sue, your lawyer will be there every step of the way.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Don’t get stuck paying the costs of an accident you didn’t cause. Get help from a motorcycle accident lawyer at no risk to you. Contact John Foy & Associates for a FREE consultation. We have more than 20 years of experience helping injured bikers get the settlement they deserve, so we know what it takes to win cases.
To schedule your FREE consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
