If you have been injured in a car accident, you are undoubtedly facing multiple medical bills. You have probably also missed work time and may wonder if your insurance will pay for everything.
You may know that Pennsylvania is a no-fault state when it comes to automobile insurance; this means that your insurance company pays for your bills no matter who was involved in the accident.
When you submitted your paperwork to the insurance company, it came back with an offer that you felt was too small. You want to get an attorney, but you are afraid it might be too expensive.
Fortunately, personal injury attorneys charge their clients on a contingency basis. This means they only charge you if you win. If you can find a personal injury attorney to take your case, you may get quite a bit more money than you originally anticipated.
When a personal injury lawyer takes a case, they will negotiate with the insurance company to get you a better settlement. If the insurance company is unwilling to provide an acceptable offer, the attorney can represent you in a lawsuit.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain when you hire a personal injury attorney. You will only be charged if the attorney can get you a better settlement than what the insurance company initially offered.
What Percentage Will A Personal Injury Lawyer Take?
The state of Pennsylvania does not impose any limitations on the fee that an attorney can charge you. However, the average attorney in the state charges somewhere between 35% and 40%. If somebody tries to charge you more than that, it is a very good idea to keep shopping around.
What to Look for In a Lawyer
Not all personal injury lawyers are the same, so do a bit of research before hiring an attorney. You want to make sure that the attorney you hire is a member in good standing with the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The Bar Association is a professional organization that represents the issues of attorneys in the Keystone State. It is dedicated to the integrity of the legal profession. If a person has a problem with an attorney, they can always complain to the Bar Association.
Be sure to look for an attorney with years of experience working in your state and the type of injuries you have experienced. Ask for references, do not just rely on reviews.
What to Bring to Your First Meeting With Your Attorney
Contrary to popular belief, personal injury attorneys do not represent everyone who walks through their door. If you do not have a strong case, they are unlikely to represent you. Hence, you should bring as much documentation as possible. There are a few things you should always bring to your first meeting.
- All accident-related medical bills.
- All receipts for medications, both prescription and non-prescription.
- Receipts for any additional personal services you have needed, such as maid service.
- A letter from your employer stating the number of hours you have missed from work.
The more well-documented your case, the better your chance of obtaining an attorney. If you have an attorney, they can almost certainly get more money for you than your insurance company initially offers. The more money you have for your recovery, the faster and less painful it will be.
