- April 12, 2022
- Car Accidents
When you experience a car accident, staying focused and seeking instant help becomes challenging. In such a case, after ensuring your and your family’s safety, the second thing most people are afraid of is hiring a car accident lawyer. Many car crash victims wrongfully believe they can’t afford a lawyer and don’t bother hiring one. Consequently, they face hurdles while claiming their car crash insurance for paying the medical bills.
During the period from 2012 to 2014, there was an annual average of 1,098 deaths, 12,093 hospitalizations, and 136,913 emergency department visits because of motor vehicle traffic injuries among New York State residents.
If you’re injured in a car crash, you don’t have to bear all the expenses. Instead, you can hire a Buffalo, NY auto accident lawyer who will assist you in getting a maximum settlement from your insurance company. Some car accident lawyers charge you a contingency fee, so you don’t have to pay them until you get compensation.
What Are the Types of Fee Arrangements?
A Buffalo, NY car accident lawyer, arranges the fee on the following factors:
- The time and the effort your case demands
- The uniqueness and legal complications involved
- How much other lawyers in the area are charging for similar cases
- The kind of relationship a lawyer shares with a client
- The total amount of money involved in the processing and what lawyers get out of it
- Time limitations of the case
- Most importantly, the attorney’s expertise, prior experience, and reputation
- The fee is either pre-decided or contingent
Lawyers may use multiple fee arrangements. However, in the retainer agreement, the fee arrangement should be clarified. Fee arrangements that most car crash victims opt for are:
Fee Per Hour:
This is the simplest and most direct way a car accident lawyer charges per hour for their services. It can be calculated by multiplying the hourly rate by the number of hours he or she has worked on a particular case.
Some lawyers charge every month. Many lawyers who prefer an hourly rate often charge a down payment for their legal services. Since this type of fee arrangement involves a heavy down payment, it is not desired to choose in personal injury cases.
Fixed Amount of Fee:
A lawyer might charge a fixed amount of money for their legal services. This fee arrangement also involves a down payment and is not recommended for personal injury cases.
Contingency Fee:
A contingency fee is based on some conditions. For example, if an attorney wins the case and obtains the maximum compensation, they receive a certain percentage of money from a client’s settlement. If the client loses the case and does not get the compensated amount, the Buffalo, NY auto accident lawyer won’t charge any fee.
How to Determine the Value of Your Claim?
Since most lawyers choose contingency fees in personal injury cases, the value of your claim is significant as it determines the lawyer’s payment. Factors that involve in assessing the value of your claim are:
- Damage to Car
- Medical Expenses
- Lost Wages
- Emotional Damage
What to Do After a Car Accident?
Having a car accident can be a very shocking and stressful experience, and it is natural to be confused and overwhelmed by such heart-wrenching situations. However, by taking the following steps, you can assist your Buffalo, NY auto accident lawyer to build a stronger claim to get the compensation you deserve.:
Seek Medical Help:
As soon as you come back to your senses, the first and most decisive step is seeking medical attention to ensure your safety and that of any passengers traveling with you. A car accident may cause internal injuries that do not show immediately. It means the seriously injured person will remain unaware for weeks or months. It will be convenient for you to have medical records of your injuries; by seeking medical attention.
Inform the Police:
You should call the cops and inform them about the overall incident by stating the facts. The police officer will create a police report that frameworks the crucial details of your crash. This police report is important to keep because it will assist your lawyer while determining your compensation claim.
Collect Information:
Collect the contact information of the people involved in the accident, such as names, phone numbers, addresses, and witnesses. Furthermore, other drivers’ record statements or witnesses’ statements can also be useful as they can help investigate who caused the accident.
Talk to Your Insurance Company:
After your car crash, it is vital to fill out necessary forms and documents and submit them on strict deadlines so that your insurer would make a file of your accident claim. You should be careful while signing any document without first consulting an experienced accident lawyer.
Every state has different laws regarding the period you must claim after an accident. In New York, you have three years to file a lawsuit against an individual for any injury to you or your property as an outcome of a car crash. If you cannot make your claim within these three years, you won’t have the right to pursue a claim for that incident.
What Are the Benefits of Employing a Buffalo, NY Car Accident Lawyer?
You may wonder why you need to hire an attorney after suffering from injuries in a car accident. If you do not hire a lawyer, you will not have to pay them out of your compensation. There is a catch, however.
An experienced attorney who handles car accident claims will know all the supporting documents needed to help you strengthen the suit, and they will decide what a fair amount of compensation is. It might be difficult for you to negotiate with insurance adjusters, but many personal lawyers are masters at it.
Moreover, personal injury lawyers are well-informed about the law and can utilize this knowledge to debate why you should obtain a fair value compensation for your injuries. If you want to claim your compensation, call and book a free consultation with a Buffalo, NY personal injury lawyer from our office.
