This is the first thing people ask themselves after an accident. The adrenaline is pumping; there is damage to your vehicle and it looks bad. But there are some things to consider before hiring an attorney.
According to an auto accident attorney in Melbourne, FL, the State of Florida just changed the law that you don’t even have to call the police unless the expected damage is a minimum of $2,000. This is a healthy number to use when considering hiring an attorney as well.
Another thing to consider is if you were physically injured or not. If you were injured, you should absolutely hire an attorney. This is because injuries can get worse over time and you may be forced to miss work.
An attorney helps present all of this in the lawsuit and is willing to negotiate on your behalf. It is estimated that 85% of all accidents are settled with the help of an attorney. Furthermore, only 10% of cases actually make it to trail. The overwhelming majority are settled before then.
An attorney usually only gets paid if you win your case. This includes if you settle. Their fees are usually between 30%-40% of the award or settlement. This means they don’t get paid unless you do. This also means that their interests are aligned with yours. The more money they negotiate for you, the more money they earn.
If you retain the services of an attorney that bills by the hour, it may be in their best interest to drag the case along and rack up billing hours. This is not good for your bottom line. Make sure you and your attorney are on the same page and that they communicate with you well. Otherwise you will be fighting your own attorney as well as the opponent’s attorney as well.