Are you considering filing a personal injury lawsuit against another party? Are you wondering how much money you might be awarded? Don't forget to factor in attorneys fees into the equation. By negotiating a lower attorney settlement fee, you can easily save thousands of dollars.
Were there witnesses to the injury? Hospital records? A police report? If you feel that you were wronged and you have evidence to support it, it is worth pursuing a legal consultation.
2. Research the personal injury law firms in your area.
There are many online websites that offer reviews of attorneys. You can also contact the State Bar Association to research any complaints against a particular lawyer. The Better Business Bureau is another good source of information.
3. After forming a list of reputable lawyers, it is time to interview them.
Talk with multiple law firms. This is the step that is worth taking your time with. Many law firms offer free initial consultations to ascertain if your case is legitimate and how much the case might be worth. Ask questions and take notes. Ask about their previous court victories. What is their success rate? Try to develop the sense of the integrity of the attorney. You want to work with someone with whom you feel comfortable and are confident in.
4. After meeting with the law firms, compare notes.
Are their general opinions similar? Do you have a good chance of winning your case? Most importantly, what is the consensus on the amount of damages to ask for? What is the payment arrangement? - usually contingency or "no-win, no-fee" arrangements are best.
5. Select at least two law firms that have a strong track record.
This when the real negotiation begins, especially if you have a strong case. Lawyer fees in a contingency agreement lawsuit usually range from 25% - 40% of the settlement amount. This is a wide variation. In a large legal settlement, just a few percentage points of commission can translate into thousands of dollars.
6. Contact law firm #1 and inform them that you are considering working with them, but you want their lowest commission offer.
Do the same with law firm #2. Don't be afraid to mention that you are talking with multiple law firms in order to get the best deal.
7. Compare the offers.
If you have a strong level of confidence in each law firm, then go with the lowest offer. If your case is expected to be worth over $250,000, shoot for a 20 - 25% commission. Most law firms will agree to work the case for that amount of commission.
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