How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Car Accident Lawyer?

Following a car accident, many people have expensive medical bills, car repair costs, and other unexpected financial burdens. Understandably, you may be worried that hiring a car accident attorney will be another expense you have to pay for out of pocket. 

This article discusses how much it may cost to hire a car accident lawyer to represent you after a collision in South Carolina, the benefits of hiring an attorney, and more. If you have any questions or would like to set up a free case evaluation directly with an award-winning car accident attorney at Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC today, simply call our office at (803) 888-2200. We’re here and happy to help.

How Do Car Accident Lawyers Get Paid?

There are a few different ways car accident lawyers may be compensated for their work. 

1. Contingency Fee

Most South Carolina car accident lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, including our law firm. This means that the law firm is paid a percentage of the total compensation earned on your behalf at the end of your case. 

This structure benefits clients because they do not have to pay their attorney any money up-front or out-of-pocket. The fee percentage may vary depending on the type of case and many contracts stipulate that the fee increases if a lawsuit has to be filed. You can learn more about the firm’s contingency fee during your initial consultation. 

2. Hourly Rates

While much less common for car accident law firms, some accident lawyers may charge an hourly fee. In this case, you will likely need to pay a retainer fee, which is money you pay up-front before the attorney starts working on your case. The lawyer uses that retainer to pay themselves as they work. If they use it all, you will have to pay for the additional hours they put into your case.

3. Flat Fees

A flat free structure is very uncommon for car accident attorneys to charge clients. In this payment method, the attorney charges one rate to handle your claim, no matter how complicated your case is, how long it takes to resolve, or whether it settles or goes to trial. This often results in clients having to pay a large lump sum up front.

What Costs Can You Expect in a South Carolina Car Accident Case?

In addition to the fee, some fees and other expenses incurred throughout your car accident claim are also reimbursed out of the final settlement or verdict amount. This may include expenses for:

• Filing a lawsuit in court
• Deposition costs
• Travel expenses

The amount and types of expenses are heavily dependent on the specifics of your case and attorney agreement. 

What Are The Benefits of Hiring a Car Accident Attorney in South Carolina? 

If you were hurt in a car accident, there are many benefits to hiring an experienced car accident attorney. 

• Protect Your Rights – A lawyer will make sure that you are not being tricked, pressured, or taken advantage of by powerful insurance companies. Far too often, insurance companies will offer accident victims much less than the true value of their claim, use tricks to minimize payouts, and even deny valid claims. Having an attorney on your side ensures that your rights and best interests are protected.
• Optimize Your Claim – A reputable car accident attorney will use their experience and resources to fully optimize your claim by investigating the accident, proving fault pursuant to South Carolina law, valuing your claim, and much more. They will aggressively fight to secure you with the best outcome possible for your case and future.
• Give You Peace of Mind – The last thing you should have to worry about is the legal intricacies, paperwork, deadlines, and negotiations required in a car accident claim. Let your legal team handle these burdens so you can focus all of your time and attention to healing.

As a recap, if you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, an attorney will:

• Fight to get you the best outcome for your case and future
• Handle the legal process while keeping you updated on the status of your case
• Allow you to focus on healing and moving forward

What Happens During a Free Consultation?

A free consultation is a great way to discuss your accident with a lawyer at no charge and with no obligation to sign a contract. It helps you understand what your options are, how much you may be entitled to, the legal process, and get any questions you have answered.

A free case evaluation, also referred to as a free consultation, is also a great way to see if that law firm is a good fit for you. You can ask about their commitment to client experience, pay structure, case results, and more to help you understand if that’s someone you want to work with.

Prior to reaching out for a consultation, we recommend making sure that the attorney has experience handling car accident cases. You may also wish to read their client reviews for recent car accident cases they’ve handled for clients.

Get Help With Your Car Accident Case Today

If you or a loved one were hurt or lost their life in a car accident, our personal injury lawyers in South Carolina are here to help. With hundreds of 5-star reviews and millions recovered for clients, you can trust that your case will be in good hands with Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC.

For a free case evaluation directly with an experienced car accident lawyer, call our office today at (803) 888-2200 or fill out our secure online form, and a member of our team will be in touch with you shortly.

Cavanaugh & Thickens, LLC – South Carolina Car Accident Lawyers – Case Results

• $2,050,000 – Truck Accident
• $750,000 – Car Accident Caused by a Drunk Driver
• $675,000 – Vehicle Accident
• $5,000,000 – Tractor Trailer Accident
• View More Results

With offices in Columbia and Charleston, our lawyers travel to and represent clients throughout the state of South Carolina.

Disclaimer: This article is presented for informational purposes only and is not legal advice.

Author: Joseph O. Thickens