How Much Does A Personal Injury Lawyer Cost on Average in Georgia?

Legal aid is not just for wealthy people. At The Larrison Law Firm, we ensure our fellow residents of Loganville, Athens and nearby locations in Georgia have access to an attorney after suffering losses from a qualifying personal injury.

How is that possible, and how much does an Athens personal injury lawyer cost? Learn the answers to these important questions so you can get effective legal counsel that protects your rights.

How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?

Georgia law requires legal fees to be reasonable. Still, this allows attorneys to charge for services in different ways, causing personal injury lawyer costs to vary among firms.

Some firms charge by the hour, which means the longer the case goes on, the more your lawyer will cost. While this structure can make sense for other areas of law, it isn’t the preferred method for personal injury cases.

Instead of charging by the hour, we use a contingency plan. This fee structure means we receive a predetermined percentage of the settlements our clients win. In other words, you have no upfront costs, and we only get paid if we can win your case. This plan levels the playing field and enables anyone to hire counsel without worrying about how much a personal injury lawyer costs.

Why Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer?

There is no requirement to hire a personal injury attorney, but doing so usually gives you a better chance of getting a favorable outcome. When you’re dealing with an insurance company, you can count on the other side to have a legal team with a thorough understanding of the law. They can use this knowledge to reduce your claim with technicalities or take advantage of legal aspects you might not be familiar with.

You likely won’t have the time to sift through and understand Georgia’s legal code while recuperating from your accident. However, with our help, you can present your case confidently and avoid any misunderstandings or missteps that might devalue your case.

How Much Are Personal Injury Lawyer Contingency Fees?

The industry standard for how much a personal injury lawyer costs in Georgia is 33⅓% for a case that settles out of court. Cases that go to trial are usually 40%. The reason for this is that a court case takes more time and energy because you must now follow the court’s rules and procedures.

Since trials increase costs and time for both sides, insurance companies and defense teams also prefer to settle the suit out of court. This has the added advantage of keeping agreements confidential. Actually, we reach an out-of-court settlement on most of the cases we take.

That’s because we come to the bargaining table with strong evidence and a reasonable agreement, so the other side is willing to settle more often than not, getting you a payout faster. However, if you are unable to get a fair agreement otherwise, we will take the case to court when it’s worth it.

Bear in mind that some attorneys put a premium on their services and charge as high as 45%. However, a higher cost doesn’t necessarily mean better service. Look for a reliable personal injury lawyer with a strong reputation of integrity to be sure you’re not overpaying.

What Types of Court Costs and Other Expenses May Be Necessary?

While calculating how much a personal injury lawyer costs, keep in mind that you’ll have other expenses that arise with your claim. Where possible, we handle these for you as they come up and get reimbursement once the case concludes.

Remember, these are not payments to your lawyer but necessary costs for the legal process. Examples include paying to retrieve medical records, access police reports, cover postage, copy documents and file forms. If the case goes to trial, there may be additional fees, such as obtaining expert witness testimony and creating exhibits.

Make sure you work with a lawyer who is transparent about how these fees will affect your case. A good attorney can present ideas about how to keep costs to a minimum. At the same time, when additional expenses can help you increase your settlement or award, your lawyer should let you know why these are worth obtaining. For example, if convincing expert testimony or exhibits will cost $5,000 but can lead to an additional $25,000 in a payout, then these fees are worth it in the long run.

Where Can You Find Out What Fees You’ll Pay?

A law firm must put your contingency fee agreement in writing so that you clearly understand how much your personal injury lawyer costs. Review this contract carefully to understand what fees and expenses you’ll have and when your lawyer expects payment or reimbursement. For example, you need to know if you have to pay for trial expenses as they arise or after receiving a settlement.

Likewise, your lawyer receives the settlement check from the insurance company or defendant, which ensures the firm can get proper payment for its services. When the firm gives you your check, it should provide a written statement outlining the portion the firm withheld and itemizing expenses. You can count on this transparency and clarity when working with our team.

Contact Us and Learn More About What a Personal Injury Lawyer Should Cost

Of course, you want a fair deal when hiring a personal injury attorney. More importantly, you need a firm that truly cares about helping you get justice and isn’t just focusing on how much money it can make.

Get the full truth from our team at The Larrison Law Firm. We’ll be up front with you about how much a personal injury lawyer should cost and handle your case with compassion and integrity. Give us a call today for experienced legal guidance.