Car Accident Lawyer Fees in Fort Lauderdale

No one likes a car accident—especially not one that results in sky-high attorney fees and costs. Legal fee structures are difficult to navigate without the added pressure of healing from injuries and distress from the accident.

At BK Law, that’s why we keep it simple by operating on a contingency fee basis. What’s a contingency fee? Read on to learn more about Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyer fees and how we set things up so you don’t have to stress about hiring an attorney to help with your car accident case.

What Is a Contingency Fee and How Does It Work?

A contingency fee structure means you don’t have to pay any upfront costs or any attorney fees unless your lawyer wins your case and secures a financial award on your behalf. It’s an excellent deal and relieves you of the burden of worrying about hourly costs. We’ll discuss with you beforehand to agree on the percentage of your compensation that will go towards attorney fees. If your case is successful and you receive a financial award, we’ll deduct our attorney fees from that award. The fee percentage can vary based on your accident, extent of your injuries, and the complexity of your case, but until it’s all over, you won’t have to worry about attorney fees. Because contingency fee lawyers only get paid when cases are won, they take cases that seem to have a good chance of winning. If the lawyer takes your case, you can feel confident that your case is strong and may result in a financial award that will justify the lawyer’s time. Otherwise, they’d probably have declined. This means you’ll always get an honest evaluation of the value of your case. One of the additional benefits of the contingency fee structure is that lawyers have a monetary incentive to fight for maximum compensation on your behalf. You can trust that your lawyer is doing everything possible to get you the highest financial award because their payout depends on yours. The greater your compensation, the greater their fee. When you and your lawyer have financial interests that are beneficially aligned, you can rest easy knowing you’re working together towards the same goal.

What Is the Average Contingency Fee for Accident Lawyers in Fort Lauderdale?

When it comes to car accident lawyer fees in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the Florida bar is very straightforward about attorney fee rules and what lawyers may charge without it being considered excessive. On average, in the state of Florida, contingency fees are around 30-40% of the average case winnings. This doesn’t include any sort of court filing or administrative fees that may be attached to your case through court processes and billing structures. The contingency fee contract must be in writing and signed by the client and lawyer or law firm who will be paid under the contract. The contract must state what percentage of the recovery the lawyer may keep, other expenses that will be deducted from the recovery, and how these expenses will be deducted. Make sure you’re clear upfront on whether you’ll owe any administrative costs if you lose your car accident case.  

What Are Florida Law Flat Fees and Retainers?

A legal flat fee is a payment structure where your lawyer charges a set amount, no matter what happens in your case. This is rare to see in Florida car accident cases. It’s more common to see in run-of-the-mill cases, such as contesting a traffic ticket. Non-refundable retainer fees, on the other hand, are agreements that require you to pay all (or some) of the estimated costs up front. You’re paying in advance for the attorney’s work on your case. If you’ve heard the term “having someone on retainer”, this generally applies to businesses and individuals who may need accessible legal help, but not necessarily on an ongoing, permanent basis. Their lawyer is simply “fueled up” with costs paid for whenever there are legal needs that come about in business or personally.  

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Are There Any Other Costs Lawyers May Charge in Accident Claims in Fort Lauderdale?

Any costs that are applied to your account depend entirely on the type of payment or fee structure that was agreed upon prior to the start of services. In many cases, Fort Lauderdale car accident lawyers operate on a contingency structure that can allocate anywhere between 10-40% of the case earnings to their cost. You’ll agree on that amount ahead of time. If there’s a contingency fee structure in place, your lawyer may choose to include administrative costs as part of attorney fees or may require you to pay those costs in addition to attorney fees. It all depends on your agreement. Examples of court-mandated administrative costs and fees include:  

• Expert Witness Costs: Depending on the severity of your case, the court may call in an expert witness to assist the jury or judge in finalizing the right next step. These witnesses can be medical professionals, crash specialists, or anyone who can give relevant information on the context of your case. According to Florida’s legal administrative procedure, the cost and payment to expert witnesses can begin at $10 per hour. The judge has the ability to raise this as he or she sees fit. You may be obligated to repay the associated fees, but that depends entirely on the court and judge presiding over your case.

• Administrative Fees: Administrative fees are a broad term that can include anything from court fees to filing fees that you might encounter as you move through the case. These cover clerical costs. Your attorney can help you with any of the payment or filing processes.

• Medical Record Fees: If you’re going through the process of a legal car accident claim, it’s likely that you received medical attention to determine the extent of your injuries. If that applies to you, any relevant medical record information may be sent to the court. Depending on the policies of your hospital and the filing process, you may have to resolve outstanding medical record fees.

Is There Any Fee Taken From Your Net Settlement in Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Cases?

This depends on the nature of your case and on the type of agreement that you and your lawyer have put together to cover the legal costs of your case. Generally, the only fee taken from your net settlement is the contingency fee associated with the case. If you opt for different payment options, like a non-refundable retainer or a flat fee (if applicable,) you’d pay for these before the case is settled—out of pocket.

How Does Your Lawyer Get Paid Upon Settling Your Claim in Fort Lauderdale?

To prevent any sort of additional case complication, the court mediates the process of settlement and payment with the insurance company. After you sign your release forms, the money is released to the attorney, who can then automatically take the agreed percentage out to cover the contingency fee. The rest will be either mailed to you or deposited into an account of your choice. Additional fees incurred in your case may also be removed at this time to make sure that all other parties to your settlement case are paid in full.

To learn more, schedule a free consultation with us today.

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If My Car Accident Lawyer Doesn’t Win My Case, Will I Still Be Responsible for Paying Attorney Fees or Other Costs?

Florida lawyers who specialize in personal injury (which includes car accidents) generally work on a contingency fee basis. This means that if you don’t win your case, you won’t have to pay a dime beyond anything you may have agreed upon beforehand. So, while there may be some costs associated with your claim if that’s the arrangement you have with your lawyer, you won’t have to pay thousands of dollars in legal fees for a case you didn’t win if you choose a contingency fee payment plan. This is not the case, however, if you go with a flat fee or non-refundable retainer fee structure.  

What Happens if I Replace My Car Accident Lawyer With Another Attorney During My Case?

You have the right to choose any attorney you wish—even if that means swapping attorneys in the middle of your car accident case. However, keep in mind that there may be certain financial risks to the swapping process. If your case has already been filed with the court, your attorney could claim a lien on any sort of settlement that you get as a result of the work they’ve already put into your case. They’ll want to be compensated for their time spent working with you and the court. You’ll need to pay any outstanding amount per the previously agreed upon contract before you have the total liquid sum of your settlement.

How to Know if a Car Accident Lawyer Is Worth the Cost?

We know it’s exceptionally hard to choose the right car accident lawyer, but there are many ways you can feel confident about your choice. You can tell if a car accident lawyer is worth the cost by reviewing:

• State Bar Profiles: The first qualification to determine if they’re “worth the price of admission” is to make sure they can practice in your state.
• Online feedback: Your lawyer isn’t a restaurant, but reviewing their Google and Yelp reviews can give you a good idea of the type of customer experience you’ll get with every area of their practice, from setting appointments to level of communication and responsiveness.
• Website: After reviewing their website, you should have a clear understanding of customer perception, years of experience in Fort Lauderdale personal injury, and quality of understanding and communication through blogs, site content, and more.
• Record: Ask your lawyer about the results of similar cases they’ve handled. If they have a strong track record of winning significant awards, you’re probably in the right place.

Contact a Fort Lauderdale Car Accident Lawyer at BK Law Today

Fort Lauderdale car accident cases can be overwhelming. You’re dealing with injuries, emotional pain, and financial bills. Connect with the car accident lawyer team at BK Law to help you pursue legal action and get the compensation you deserve. Don’t try to deal with the insurance companies alone. Our car accident lawyers have decades of experience with Florida personal injury law, and we know how to push back against insurance companies who don’t play fair. There’s a reason we have such a strong track record of success. With BK Law’s contingency fee structure, you can relax knowing you’ll owe us nothing unless we win your case. Give us a call today to schedule a free consultation to get started.