Car accidents are a leading cause of personal injuries, and recovery from any accident has the chance to escalate into a complex legal battle between the drivers involved. Nevada’s fault rule requires that you prove liability for an accident before you can recover any compensation for your losses. While liability for your recent crash may seem perfectly clear to you, the actual legal process of formally establishing fault in any civil case can be more challenging than the average person expects.
Legal Representation Is Available and Accessible to You
An experienced attorney is an ideal asset to have to assist you with your car accident case. Unfortunately, many people believe that legal counsel would be more expensive than they can handle, especially when they are struggling with the economic impact of their recent accident. This is an understandable concern, but the reality is that legal counsel may be more accessible than you initially assume after an accident.
Understanding Contingency Fee Billing
The majority of personal injury attorneys representing clients accept cases on a contingency fee basis. The average person struggling with the economic impact of a personal injury does not have the financial flexibility to pay expensive hourly rates out of pocket, and a contingency fee allows them to secure the legal representation they need in an affordable manner.
Under a contingency fee agreement, the attorney does not charge upfront or ongoing legal fees to the client. Some attorneys may charge small consultation fees or other fees, but in most cases, a contingency fee agreement means the client only pays the attorney if and when the attorney wins their case. Every attorney will charge a different percentage, typically determined by the overall complexity of the client’s case and the extent of the damages they are seeking.
Most contingency fees range between 25% and 40% of the final case award. For example, if you accept legal counsel from an attorney with a 25% contingency fee and you win $500,000 from your case, the attorney will take $125,000 of this case award as their fee. This may seem like a lot to the average person, but it is important to remember how much work goes into winning the case that the client does not need to address on their own. Additionally, even after accounting for their contingency fee, the average person would be unlikely to win as much as an attorney could secure on their behalf.
Before you sign a contract for any attorney’s legal counsel, it is vital that you fully understand their billing policy. When you hire an attorney with a contingency fee policy, they would be unlikely to accept a case they don’t believe could win, so if an attorney with this billing policy offers to represent you, it is a good sign that you have a winning case. Additionally, your attorney’s fee is contingent upon your case award, so they have a strong incentive to help you recover as much compensation as possible for your damages.
FAQs
Q: How Much Is a Car Accident Case Worth?
A: The total value of your car accident case depends on the damages you suffered. The at-fault driver is legally responsible for all economic losses they inflicted with their actions as well as the pain and suffering they caused. An experienced Nevada car accident attorney can help determine the full extent of damages you can seek from the driver who caused your recent accident.
Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Personal Injury Claim for a Car Accident?
A: Insurance alone may not cover all your damages from a car accident. In this situation, you must file a personal injury claim against the driver responsible for the accident. There is a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims in the state, starting on the date an accident occurred. Failure to file your claim within this time limit means losing your right to recover compensation from the at-fault driver.
Q: Will I Win a Larger Settlement if I Hire an Attorney?
A: Hiring legal representation after a car accident will make every aspect of the recovery process easier for you to manage. Your attorney can handle the complex legal proceedings ahead, help file an auto insurance claim against the at-fault driver, and identify every avenue of compensation available to you. You are not only more likely to win a car accident case with an attorney’s assistance but also more likely to maximize the total amount of compensation you secure from the at-fault driver.
Q: How Long Does It Take to Settle a Car Accident Case?
A: It is natural to worry about how long it could take to receive your settlement when you are struggling with the effects of an accident someone else caused. As long as liability is clear and the defendant agrees to settlement negotiations, a good attorney on your side could mean resolving your case in a matter of a few weeks. However, if your case needs to be resolved in court, it will take much longer.
Q: How Much Will It Cost Me to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
A: Most car accident attorneys accept clients on a contingency fee basis. With this billing policy, the plaintiff pays their attorney a percentage of their final case award as an attorney’s fee. However, they only pay the fee if the attorney wins their case. If you have a contingency fee agreement with an attorney and they cannot secure compensation for your damages, there is no fee at all.
The attorneys at Easton & Easton have successfully helped many past clients with their car accident cases, and we are ready to leverage this experience for you. If you believe another driver is responsible for causing your recent car accident, we can help you hold them accountable. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team and learn more about the legal services we provide.
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