In the city of San Luis Obispo, victims of accidents and other causes of personal injury may be hesitant to contact an attorney for fear they cannot afford one. There is a misconception that attorneys charge exorbitant fees for their services. The fact is that many personal injury attorneys work on a contingency basis. That is, they charge contingent fees.
Contingent fees are those that are collected only if the client wins their case and is paid a settlement. Typically, the attorney will advise the client that they will accept a percentage of the amount that is ultimately recovered by a client, typically one-third of the damages awarded. When a plaintiff wins their case, the attorney’s fees are paid out of the award money.
When an attorney works on a contingency basis, they do not get paid unless their client wins. For this reason, many personal injury attorneys will only take cases that they are fairly certain will be successful. A personal injury attorney will hold a free consultation with a potential client, reviewing the details of the incident and asking questions to gain more information. If an attorney believes that the necessary elements for a winning lawsuit are present, they will accept the case on a contingency basis.
Any person who has been injured in an accident should consult with an experienced personal injury attorney to determine if they have a case. When a lawsuit is successful, the injured party may receive compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more.
