Brooke graduated from the University of Richmond School of Law after receiving her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Brooke worked for five years in private practice with a law firm specializing in insurance defense litigation before becoming the trial litigator for Allstate Insurance Company in the metro Richmond area.
In Virginia, you have the right to pursue monetary compensation for injuries you suffered in a car accident caused by the wrongful acts of another.
Indeed, you will want to get the most money possible for any settlement, and you should.
After suffering painful and debilitating injuries that have kept you out of work and left you in dire financial straits, the desire to make the other person pay for your loss is perfectly natural.
A larger settlement will not make your physical and emotional pain go away, but it will make your life a little easier.
You may think that one way to get the most out of your settlement is by handling the claim yourself instead of hiring a lawyer.
If that is the case, you need to ask the top Virginia car accident lawyer; how much a car accident lawyer costs in Virginia.
The answer might surprise you.
If you have questions or think you may have a claim, contact the experienced Richmond car accident attorneys at River Run Law online today or call (804) 889-0500. We offer free consultations.
What Are the Possible Service Fees and What Percentage Do Accident Lawyers Take?
Lawyers have three options when charging fees for their services.
Depending on the attorney’s practice area, level of expertise, and other factors, an attorney can charge an hourly rate of $250 or more.
Attorneys who charge hourly rates take a retainer from their clients and then charge down that retainer for costs and fees at the end of each month.
Alternatively, lawyers can charge a flat fee for services.
Either of these options means that you must dig into your pocket and pay for a lawyer’s services with your hard-earned money.
Virginia car accident attorneys charge their clients on a contingency fee basis. In its simplest terms, the fee is contingent upon you winning a settlement from the case.
The injury lawyer does not get paid if you do not win your case. Therefore, they have an incentive to fight to protect their rights.
Advantages of a Contingency Fee Arrangement in Virginia
The contingency fee arrangement is advantageous to you and your personal injury attorney.
This benefits you because you do not have to spend any money out of pocket to hire an attorney.
You and your attorney agree on the contingency percentage. Your personal injury attorney will deduct the fee from your settlement.
Additionally, a top-notch Virginia auto accident and hit-and-run lawyer will advance your litigation costs.
That means you do not have to pay out of pocket for:
- Filing fees,
- Medical records duplication fees,
- Deposition fees,
- Transcripts, and
- Expert witness fees.
Your lawyer will explain that the costs associated with pursuing a car accident claim may be necessary to spend in your situation so that you could make a more persuasive claim.
You would have to pay these costs if you represented yourself.
Contingency fees also act as an incentive to your attorney to do everything in their power to maximize your award. In other words, they make more money if you win more money.
Furthermore, your attorney does not have to worry about billing you for services rendered.
As a result, your attorney can focus more on building a strong case for you.
Contingency fees ultimately promote justice. Contingency fees allow accident victims to have the services of a passionate Virginia auto accident lawyer regardless of their net worth.
Without these arrangements, injured people who do not have enough money to hire a lawyer might not pursue a claim for damages.
Remember, justice is for everyone and not just for those with money.
Other Issues to Consider If You Are Concerned About How Much a Car Accident Lawyer May Cost in Virginia
An exceptional Virginia car accident lawyer knows how to get the largest settlement for you.
Getting the largest settlement for you obligates your attorney to:
- Gather all the evidence available in your case including, photographs, accident reports, witness statements, and other evidence from the accident scene;
- Interact with the other driver’s insurance company on your behalf (they cannot speak to you if you have a lawyer);
- Review all your evidence with you;
- Retain expert witnesses if necessary;
- Negotiate a settlement for you;
- File a case in court if a just settlement is not reached;
- Ensure you comply with the statute of limitations; and
- Ensure that all your medical bills and other costs from your accident are paid from the proceeds.
The best Virginia car accident lawyers take the time to ensure that you and your family receive the care you need.
We want you to return your life to the way it was before your accident.
Without an exceptional car accident lawyer from Virginia, you would have to worry about all these issues on your own while trying to get your life back on track.
Contact Experienced Virginia Car Accident Lawyers Today
At River Run Law, we proudly serve our clients’ best interests. We want every person victimized by the wrongful actions of another to experience justice.
Call our firm today at (804) 889-0500 or visit our website to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Richmond car accident attorneys.
We would be happy to answer all questions, including, how much a car accident lawyer costs in Virginia.
Let us help you win a just and fair settlement for your Virginia car accident claim.