If you have been in a car crash in Iowa and need to hire an experienced Iowa personal injury attorney, your first question might be, “How much is this going to cost?”
Iowa Car Accident Lawyers Generally Work On Contingency – You Pay Nothing Unless Your Lawyer Recovers Money for Your Losses
Many attorneys charge hourly fees for their services. This can work out well if you need a lawyer to write out your will or read over a contract. This type of work usually doesn’t take more than a few hours, so it’s easy to charge an hourly fee.
However, the amount of work involved in a serious car accident claim means that this hourly fee agreement would be very expensive for most people. That’s why most Iowa car accident attorneys work on a contingent fee basis. “Contingency” means that you are charged no money up front for an attorney to work on your case. If your case is settled or you win a verdict, a percentage of your compensation covers the attorney’s fee.
This fee percentage can vary, but 33.3% (or one-third) is generally standard. For example, if you settle your case for $90,000 before filing a lawsuit or going to trial, the attorney’s fee will be $30,000.
This fee agreement may change depending on your situation. For example, if your case does not settle and you end up filing a lawsuit and going to trial, the attorney may charge you a higher contingent fee of any money recovered. The reason for this is because trial requires extra time on the attorney’s part to prepare. As your case progresses, more attorney time is spent working on your claim.
These fee agreements should be outlined in the contract you will sign with an attorney. That’s why it’s important to review the contract carefully and understand what it says. If you don’t understand something, ask the attorney to explain what it means.
Other Iowa Car Accident Claim Costs
Besides attorney fees, there are other costs for an Iowa car crash case that you need to consider. These could include:
- Costs for obtaining your medical records
- Court reporter fees
- Expert witness fees
- Court fees
- Postage
- Deposition costs
While an attorney is working your car accident case, it’s likely they will cover these costs so you don’t have to pay any money up front. Once your case has settled or you have received a jury verdict, any compensation will be sent to your attorney’s office. Your attorney will deduct their fee and any expenses before providing you with a final check.
How Much Will You Receive For Your Iowa Car Accident Injuries?
Before you settle your case, it’s important to consider how the fees from your case will affect your settlement amount. For example, if you believe you’re settling for $90,000, ask your attorney how much of this money will actually end up in your own pocket. Your car crash lawyer can calculate what your “take-home” compensation will be so that there are no surprises.
If you have been seriously injured in a car accident in Iowa, you may need an attorney to fight for fairness for you. Call RSH Legal today at 1-319-774-1783 and schedule your free, no-obligation case evaluation today.
