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Assistance with Contract with Law Firm for Personal Injury Case

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  • 01-13-2009, 08:07 PM
    sweetvabreeze40
    Assistance with Contract with Law Firm for Personal Injury Case
    My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Virginia

    My daughter was injured in an accident and I am trying to decide whether to hire a lawyer or negotiate with the insurance company. My question is what things should I look for in choosing a lawyer and do all lawyers basically charge the same thing? I have heard that the standard is 1/3 of the settlement plus fees. What is typically NOT included in the straight 1/3 of the settlement and is there a way of getting a ballpark idea of what those additional fees would be?
    Also, is there any advantage to hiring a local lawyer versus a lawyer from a larger firm in a distant city?
  • 01-13-2009, 11:36 PM
    Betty3
    Re: Assistance with Contract with Law Firm for Personal Injury Case
    Is this the same daughter as in this thread: http://www.expertlaw.com/forums/showthread.php?t=64299

    If so, I would get an attorney as suggested by Missy. You need a personal injury attorney. You can probably get a referral from your local bar assoc. You can also call around & check on cost/fees. They will be able to help you with your settlement questions & determination of a fair settlement amount, etc.
  • 01-14-2009, 06:55 AM
    sweetvabreeze40
    Re: Assistance with Contract with Law Firm for Personal Injury Case
    Hi Betty- yes, this is in regards to that thread. I actually have a law firm I am getting ready to contract with but was looking for some information to assure I was guiding my daughter in the right direction and choosing a good lawyer. I didn't know if what is in the contract is the standard.
  • 01-14-2009, 02:21 PM
    Betty3
    Re: Assistance with Contract with Law Firm for Personal Injury Case
    You could check around with several attorneys to see what is in their contract but what is in the one with the law firm you are considering is "probably" std.
  • 02-07-2009, 07:38 AM
    szklasz
    Re: Assistance with Contract with Law Firm for Personal Injury Case
    They are fairly standard with the % ranging form 20 to 40. Fees (taken out before division of award or settlement) are such things as filing fees for the compplaint, depositions, and the like. If you get an award for $45,000 and the lawyer has spent $5,000 on items as above, the attorney's fee will be $15,000 if contingent fee is 1/3. Then the $5,000 is deducted. Your net award would then be $25,000. You will also have doctor and other medical fees subtracted from the $25,000. Remember, you can always try to negotiate with the attorney AND have the attorney try to negotiate a reduction in any medical fees as many times they can do same.
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