Car Accident Lawyers and Contingency Fees: Understanding the Fee Structure | The Law Offices of Justin H. King | Rancho Cucamonga, CA

Demystifying Contingency Fees: How Car Accident Lawyers Get Paid

Car accidents can be traumatic and overwhelming, and when you’re injured due to someone else’s negligence, seeking legal representation is often crucial to securing the compensation you deserve. At The Law Offices of Justin H. King in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, we understand that the cost of hiring an attorney can be a concern for accident victims. That’s why we’re here to explain one of the most common fee structures for personal injury lawyers: contingency fees.

What Are Contingency Fees?

A contingency fee is a type of payment arrangement commonly used by personal injury attorneys, including car accident lawyers. Under this arrangement, clients do not pay any upfront fees or retainer costs to their attorney. Instead, the attorney’s fees are contingent on the outcome of the case. In other words, the attorney only gets paid if they secure a settlement or verdict in favor of the client. If they don’t win the case, the client does not owe the attorney any fees.

How Contingency Fees Work

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how contingency fees work when you hire a car accident lawyer:

1. Initial Consultation

Most personal injury attorneys, including The Law Offices of Justin H. King, offer a free initial consultation. During this meeting, you can discuss the details of your case with the attorney, and they will evaluate its merits. This consultation allows both you and the attorney to determine if there’s a strong case to pursue.

2. Signing a Contingency Fee Agreement

If the attorney believes you have a viable case and you choose to move forward, you will enter into a contingency fee agreement. This contract outlines the terms of the fee arrangement, including the percentage of the final settlement or award that the attorney will receive as their fee. In California, contingency fees are typically around 33% to 40% of the total recovery, but this can vary depending on the complexity of the case.

3. Legal Representation

Once the contingency fee agreement is signed, your attorney will provide legal representation throughout your case. They will investigate the accident, gather evidence, negotiate with insurance companies, and, if necessary, litigate the case in court. Throughout this process, you won’t receive bills for attorney fees or hourly charges.

4. Case Resolution

When your attorney successfully resolves your case by securing a settlement or winning a verdict, they will deduct their contingency fee from the final amount. For example, if your attorney’s contingency fee is 33% and you receive a $30,000 settlement, the attorney’s fee would be $10,000, and you would receive the remaining $20,000 as compensation for your injuries and damages.

5. No Recovery, No Fee

If your attorney is unable to secure a settlement or win your case in court, you will not owe them any fees. This “no recovery, no fee” structure ensures that clients do not take on additional financial burdens when pursuing a personal injury claim.

Advantages of Contingency Fees

Contingency fees offer several advantages to accident victims:

No Financial Risk:

With a contingency fee arrangement, you do not have to worry about paying attorney fees out of pocket. This allows individuals with limited financial resources to access quality legal representation.

Motivation for Success:

Since attorneys only get paid when they win, they are highly motivated to secure the best possible outcome for their clients. This aligns the attorney’s interests with the client’s interests.

Access to Legal Expertise:

Contingency fees make it possible for anyone to hire an experienced car accident lawyer, regardless of their financial situation. This ensures that accident victims have access to the legal expertise they need to pursue a successful claim.

Conclusion

Understanding how contingency fees work is essential when seeking legal representation after a car accident. At The Law Offices of Justin H. King in Rancho Cucamonga, CA, we believe in providing our clients with the information they need to make informed decisions about their case. If you’ve been injured in a car accident, don’t hesitate to reach out for a free consultation. We’re here to help you navigate the legal process, protect your rights, and secure the compensation you deserve.

Interested in learning more? Here is another interesting blog article.

Sources:
– State Bar of California – Attorney Fees (https://www.calbar.ca.gov/Public/Pamphlets/HiringandWorkingWithaLawyer.aspx)

Categories : General

Tags:

By Justin H. King, Esq. | Posted on January 25, 2024

17:05 25 Oct 24

Thank you so much to Oliver King and Garrett Tuckerman for helping me with my case. They've been outstanding. Although the process was overwhelming, I felt reassured, supported, and listened to. I highly recommend the Law offices of Justin King to anyone who needs help.

Savana Martinez

18:30 04 Sep 24

The team at Law Office of Justin King went above and beyond with my case.It was my first big automobile accident while being 6 months pregnant and I was terrified. I called them the same day and they took on my case immediately.Throughout the whole process they were communicative and on top of everything. I would recommend to everyone and would go back to them again if need be.Thank you to this amazingly firm !

Hate Nine

06:01 04 Sep 24

Wow! I can't say enough good things about the Law Offices of Justin King. Attitude starts at the top, & this firm is top tier. They represented me (& yes we won!) for an injury I sustained while riding my motorcycle westbound on the 10. Someone changed lanes without looking, which resulted in a knee injury, a lot of physical therapy, & a totaled motorcycle. I wasn't sure what to do or if this were even something worth pursuing. I found Justin's webpage & sent a quick message to him on a Saturday night then thought nothing of it. My first call from Justin was Sunday morning. I was immediately impressed. After hearing a bit of my story & asking a few questions I was ready to have Justin represent me. My first question was "How much do I need to come up with to get this started? Justin replied, you don't owe anything until we win. Not unless, until. That set the tone of the next 2 years of my life. As your case progresses it'll require work from you & a whole team working to represent you. Staci will call & let you know she's emailing documents that require signatures; Garrett will call to ask for details they need to understand & yes, he will call to remind you that you forgot to sign a document 3 days earlier. These are great people who genuinely care. They will take time to understand your needs & they communicate every step of the way. If you are injured, you need to call Justin & his team right away. You will not be disappointed!Google only allows 5 stars, but these guys deserve 10!

Vivian Garcia

01:00 15 Aug 24

I was involved in my first big automobile accident last year, in Yorba Linda. I was a bit overwhelmed as you can imagine. Friends suggested that I hire an attorney to handle my case and I was not quite sure how to proceed. I was very fortunate when I was referred to Justin King’s office.I met with Mr. King and found him to be very personable and he listened to my concerns. I felt very comfortable and confident that he would help me in getting a fair outcome to my case.I want to also thank Garrett Tuckerman for all he did in keeping me updated with everything going on with my case and for being there whenever I had any questions or concerns. I also want to mention Leoni Barrera who was always pleasant and supportive when I called.I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King for your personal injury needs. I feel that Mr. King and his whole staff, with their knowledge, expertise and professionalism will help make your experience a less stressful one.

Lisa Perchez

21:53 29 Jul 24

Last July I was struck by a falling case of liquor at Total Wine in Rancho Cucamonga which led to a slip and fall. My friends and family urged me to contact a lawyer after discovering I needed surgery to repair my broken wrist. A friend found Justin King on Google. Justin was compassionate, accessible, and took charge from the very first meeting. He was able to obtain the surveillance video capturing the entire incident, and made an appointment for me to see a prominent neurologist after the video showed the case struck the front of my head. The entire staff at The Law Offices of Justin H. King were very easy to work with, and I always felt like my case was getting personal attention. Thank you Garrett, Staci, and Leoni! My case went to mediation and settled for more than 3x what they originally offered. If you have been injured in an accident, I highly recommend The Law Offices of Justin H. King.

Leslie S.

18:26 13 Jul 24

I want to thank Justin and his amazing office. They made a very traumatic/ nightmare of a situation into a more bearable situation every step of the way. They kept us updated and we were reassured that we were in good hands. I want to also express my gratitude to Garrett for being so empathic and supportive through the ups and downs that comes with a case. We are so blessed to have had them handle our case. I would recommend them to anyone who is looking for a professional and dependable office. Thank you again Justin King Office!!!

Melinda Jordan

09:02 18 Dec 22

I went from feeling like a basket case from all the stress to feeling calm and collected after talking to Justin. He is a phenomenal personal injury lawyer and is a truly calming and reassuring presence. This firm helped me in ways I can't even adequately put into words, other than to say Thank You, Justin, to you and your awesome team.

Marjorie Harris

04:14 18 Dec 22

After an auto accident, I felt really nervous calling an attorney because I had never worked with one before. But from the first conversation I had with Jessica, I felt so at ease. Justin then called me and was so easy going and we had a nice conversation too. The entire staff took great care of me and I am very happy.

Sheila Hughes

03:45 18 Dec 22

I was in a car accident that was not my fault two years ago. A friend of mine had a family member who had been helped in the past by Justin King, and they suggested I call him. I'm so glad I did! Justin and his team took great care of my situation and got a great settlement for me. I highly recommend them if you have been in an accident. You will be very happy with what this firm. They are smart, hard-working, honest, and take great care of their clients.

Margaret James

04:43 01 Dec 22

Justin's entire staff is the best car accident lawyer team in Rancho Cucamonga. Justin, Oliver, Jessica, and Garrett all provided me with excellent service and treated me like family. They are all such great people, and always so honest and responsive to me. I gladly recommend them to anyone needing the services of a car accident lawyer in the Inland Empire.

Wm Holland

06:13 17 Nov 22

When I needed a lawyer following a car accident on the Interstate 15 Freeway in Rancho Cucamonga, Justin King, and his team were there for me. I appreciated how his entire staff always seemed happy to answer my questions and were so good about returning all my phone calls and emails. I could tell this firm has immense experience in helping people get their life back after an unfortunate car crash. I was so happy with the outcome of my case and the results Justin obtained from the insurance company on my behalf. I have recommended their office to all my family members and neighbors. I hope you never need to call them. But if you need the best car accident lawyers, I can vouch that they are excellent.