As any car accident lawyer knows, car accidents are the most common form of “personal injury” cases. In the first half of 2021, there were over 20,000 deaths due to car crashes in the United States, the highest number of fatalities since 2006.
Houston, the capital city of Texas, is famed for its bad traffic, and in 2018, it had the highest number of car accidents in the state. Over the first few months of 2020, there were almost 900 fatalities in the city. The I-45 highway in the state is among the most deadly highways in the US, with several others in Texas also ranking among the top 50 most dangerous highways. Clearly, this is a significant issue. But have you ever been in such an accident? Hopefully not.
However, if you are ever involved in such an incident, you will likely find yourself injured and potentially in debt. The latter would probably be because you were unsure of how to approach the issue of legal representation if required. And if it was a major accident, you definitely need a good lawyer!
This is why it is essential to be aware of the costs of hiring a Houston auto accident lawyer specializing in road accidents. But before looking at the costs of hiring such a lawyer, let us look at what a car accident lawyer does and when exactly you might need one.
What Do Houston Car Accident Lawyers Do?
A car accident lawyer is also commonly known as a personal injury lawyer. Such lawyers specialize in what is known as tort law relating to car accidents. Tort law, which usually covers most civil suits, involves addressing wrongdoings and providing monetary relief to the victims.
Therefore, car accident lawyers typically help car crash victims build a case, enabling them to receive the appropriate compensation for any damages caused by the other driver. They also apprise you of your rights in such a scenario and help you protect them. Additionally, they would review your case thoroughly to ensure that you file all the claims you are entitled to.
They might also suggest hiring experts to back up your claims and help you gather all the evidence you might need to prove your case. This might include witness reports from passers-by, photographic or video evidence of the crash or the crash site, police reports, or proof of damage and negligence on the other driver.
Additionally, they would negotiate with your insurance company to ensure you receive a proper payout following the accident’s severity. If the company is unwilling to cooperate, your lawyer will file an appropriate lawsuit. Last but not least, if the matter goes to court, they will represent you to obtain the highest possible compensation on your behalf.
When Should You Hire an Auto Accident Lawyer in Houston?
If you’ve been injured in a car accident, contacting a car accident lawyer should be the first thing to do after receiving the necessary medical attention. This is because most insurance companies attempt to take advantage of the situation and settle the claim in a hurry before you can assess the extent of the damage caused to you.
Therefore, hiring a lawyer would ensure that you do not fall prey to such a lowball settlement and receive the entire amount that you are entitled to.
How Much Would It Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?
At the start of such a case, it isn’t easy to assess the overall cost of legal representation. This is why most law firms operate on a contingency fee basis. This means that you would have to pay the lawyer contingent on you winning the case and receiving some compensation. Typically, you would be required to pay one-third of this compensation to the lawyer, and this amount is known as the contingency fee.
Certain lawyers charge contingency fees based on a sliding scale. An example of such a scenario is that you would have to pay 33% if the lawyer successfully settles the case before filing a lawsuit, 40% if a lawsuit is filed if the case is settled before going to trial, and 45% if the case does have to go to trial.
However, if the case is unsuccessful, you would not owe any payment to them. This is a highly beneficial arrangement because, as the client, you would not have to pay anything out of your own pocket. This is especially advantageous if the case gets drawn out and has to go to trial because otherwise, this process could be extremely costly.
Of course, this contingency fee excludes other costs such as any upfront costs or other expenses incurred for the case, which would usually be covered initially by the lawyer, and you might be required to reimburse them at a later stage. Such expenses could include the fees for filing a case in court, costs of obtaining the necessary medical records, and the fees for court reporters and experts.
Hire the Best Personal Injury Lawyer in Houston
It is essential to be aware of the legal ramifications of such an accident. Hiring a lawyer would ensure that you can focus on recuperating if you have received an injury rather than navigating the complex legal system. The lawyer would handle all the various aspects of your case, from recovering medical reports to contacting your workplace about your wages if you missed work due to the accident, and finding appropriate expert witnesses who would have specialized knowledge that could help your case.
Even the most careful driver can be in a car accident, so being aware of the process is always a smart choice. Contact the best Houston personal injury lawyers today to learn more.