What to Know About Personal Injury Attorneys
If you have been injured due to an accident or another type of incident, you may want to take legal action. Some incidents in which you may want to consider making a personal injury claim include car accidents, medical malpractice, defective products, slip and falls, and more. If you feel that you may have a legal claim, talking to an attorney is a must. Here are three things that you should know when it comes to personal injury attorneys.
What They Can Do
The first thing that you should know when it comes to personal injury attorneys is what they can help you with. First of all, they can help you determine whether or not you have a claim. Next, they can help you determine what the best course of action will be. This can mean filing a lawsuit or going through arbitration. Personal injury attorneys also can work with an insurance company if there is the possibility of a settlement. An attorney will be able to advise you on the best course of action for your needs and help you get the best possible outcome.
Timing Is Key
Another thing that you should be aware of is that the sooner you see a personal injury attorney, the better. You want to make sure that all of the relevant details are fresh in your mind and that you have all of the required information on hand for your legal proceedings. You also have to take legal action within a certain time frame, something referred to as a statute of limitations. This will vary from state to state, but typically you have anywhere from 1–6 years to take legal action after discovering you have been harmed or injured.
Cost
If you are considering personal injury attorney services, the cost is something that you may be considering carefully. Most personal injury attorneys charge contingency fees, meaning if they settle or win your case, they get a percentage of the settlement or award. This fee is typically around one-third of the settlement or the award. While it is a rarity, some personal injury attorneys charge hourly fees. The hourly rate for their services typically works out to between $100 and $500 per hour. You may also have to cover certain court costs and the costs of expert witnesses.
If you have been injured or harmed, you may want to take legal action. Contact a personal injury attorney to learn more.