What is the Cost of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in Delaware?

At Silverman, McDonald & Friedman, we have more than 100 years of combined legal experience helping clients in Wilmington, Seaford and Newark recover after an auto accident. We know how confusing it might seem when you need to hire an attorney for the first time after you have been injured. We know what it takes to build a strong case on your behalf, and many of our clients recommend us to their friends.

If you have been shopping around trying to find an attorney to represent you after you have been injured in an accident caused by another person’s negligence, you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed at the thought of how much this is going to cost you. Today we are going to look at how injury attorneys in Delaware get paid so that you will have a full understanding of the arrangement before you hire a Delaware injury lawyer..

You have probably seen the slogans on some attorney websites and in their advertising that says, “No fee unless we win!” but you may be wondering what that means for you. When you suffer an injury in an accident that was caused by another person’s negligence, you can file a claim for compensation for your injuries, your pain and suffering and for your property damage. You can either settle the claim with the insurance company, or if you are unable to come to an agreement you can file a personal injury lawsuit in order to recover damages. In either case, if your claim is successful, you will be compensated.

When you work with a personal injury attorney, they are able to leverage their years of experience of working with accident claims to help you get the best settlement possible for your injuries. Most personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you will not pay them any attorney fees until they win your case. This arrangement is beneficial because the client does not have to come up with an initial payment in order to benefit from the services of an attorney.

The contingency fee itself is a percentage of the total settlement amount. In Delaware, prior to entering into a contingency fee arrangement with a client, the attorney must put that agreement in writing. You will find that many attorneys in the area charge about 33 percent.

Additional costs for legal representation

There will be some additional costs that you will be responsible for if your case goes to trial, but your attorney will have a written agreement that outlines any and all costs and fees associated with hiring them, and they will explain the agreement with you before you sign it.

Some of the costs you will incur for your injury case include:

• Obtaining medical records
• Police reports
• Court fees
• Postage
• Hiring expert witnesses
• Depositions

Whether you settle or go to trial, the settlement check will go to your attorney, who will deduct their fees and expenses according to whatever agreement you have signed, and they will also deduct any expenses.

Should I settle or go to court?

If you have been in a serious auto accident where you received significant injuries that required hospitalization and surgery, then the value of your case increases significantly. When you work with an attorney who will negotiate with the opposing insurance company on your behalf, you are more likely to be dealt with fairly. This is because an experienced injury attorney knows the value of your case, and can professionally handle the negotiations with the insurance company. When you hire an attorney, it lets the insurance company know that you are serious.

We invite you to call Silverman, McDonald & Friedman at 302.414.5553 or fill out our quick contact form to schedule a free consultation to discuss your case. We serve clients throughout Delaware from our offices conveniently located in Newark, Seaford and Wilmington.