Many people think that it could cost thousands to hire a personal injury attorney in Columbus, OH. Many times, because they believe that they are unable to afford an attorney, they will try to handle the case themselves. This could include speaking with the insurance companies, finding medical providers, repairing their car, obtaining a rental car - all while trying to treat and recover from their injuries. When they are not successful with the outcome months later, they wonder what they could have done differently. Many may question their decision to not hire an experienced lawyer at the beginning of their claim.
Personal injury lawyers in Columbus receive many inquiries from injury victims who are interested in reopening their claim. They thought they could handle their claim on their own and were not satisfied with the result; they then would like to have a do over. While there may be an opportunity to appeal, there is no guarantee that this is an option and the damage may already be done. The judge that hears that appeal may also be the same judge who was involved in the first case. Under these circumstances, there may be very little - if anything - that an injury lawyer may be able to do to assist.
If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, these are some of the reasons why it is wise to think about hiring a lawyer as soon as you are medically able to. There are no upfront costs to hire an attorney. If you are able to obtain a positive recovery (money) for your case, the lawyer will get a percentage of the recovery for their fee. This fee is because the lawyer has provided a service to their client and they, as most everyone else, are not able to work for free. However, if you do not win your case, then the lawyer does not get anything. They are taking a risk on their client. If the case is not strong enough or if the client did not give information to the attorney at the beginning of the case, then the attorney may get blindsided later on. The lawyer could potentially put hundreds of hours into a case and walk away with nothing.
One of the first questions many attorneys hear from their personal injury clients is how much of their settlement will they take. If your case does not go to trial, an injury lawyer will generally receive one-third of your settlement or judgement, or 33%. If your case does go to trial, they’ll receive around 40%. This increase in fees is to cover the costs of trial preparation, including hiring additional experts, preparing exhibits to display to present at court, and the additional time needed to prepare your case.
While these fees may sound like a lot of money, considering the situation described above, it is better to have 66% of a recovery opposed to nothing or very little if you attempted to handle your case yourself and were not successful. A skilled attorney can prepare the evidence needed to prove that the other driver is at fault; they will hire experts to show how serious your injuries were; they will negotiate with the medical providers on your bills; and they will negotiate with the insurance adjuster to attempt to settle your claim. If they are unable to settle then the case may go to court. Lawyers spend every day practicing law and are familiar with the procedures, strategies and law and are able to handle claims properly and in the client’s best interest.
Many clients ask what will happen if they lose their case? If a client does not receive a favorable outcome and they are not awarded any compensation, how do personal injury lawyers get paid? The simple answer is that they do not get paid.
If a client does not win or settle their case, then the attorney gets nothing. This may seem unfair as the attorney has put many hours of work into the case and generated many expenses; however, it is a risk that the lawyer takes. This is why attorneys are careful about which cases they will handle. After reviewing the accident and injury, if the attorney feels that the injured victim does not have a realistic chance of winning the claim, then the attorney will not represent them. This is because the attorney does not want to waste time and resources.
If you are hurt in an accident in Columbus, it is important to call an experienced Columbus personal injury attorney to discuss your legal rights. The firm can review your case and discuss your options; this will not cost you anything up front.
Call now and schedule your free consultation. It is completely free to discuss your injuries and accident. When you work with an experienced injury attorney, you have the piece of mind knowing that you have a skilled Columbus personal injury lawyer by your side throughout the entire case.
If you or someone you love sustained injuries in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be feeling overwhelmed with emotions and stress. You may have a lot of questions, including how you will pay for your medical bills, manage your finances as the result of lost income, and travel to places while your car is being repaired. You may also be wondering if you should hire a Columbus personal injury attorney to help you with all of these matters.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help answer your questions about your injuries and walk you through the process of a personal injury claim. This guidance can help you get back on your feet.
If you suffered significant injuries or even loss of life, the stakes are high. If your injury involved a commercial vehicle, such as an 18-wheeler, there may be additional steps needed to resolve your case. An experienced lawyer can help you navigate the tedious personal injury claim process while you focus on your recovery.
