How Much Do Lawyers Charge for Motorcycle Accident Claims?

If you are like most people, you weigh many factors when you make important decisions. After a motorcycle accident, one of your most significant choices is which lawyer to hire. 

Once you find an experienced attorney, it only makes sense that you think about your budget. How much will hiring a good lawyer cost in the long run?

Fielding Law is one firm where you can get quality representation without spending a dime out of pocket. Yet, not all attorneys handle fees the same way.

Our phone lines are always open, so call us whenever you are ready to discuss the specifics of your case. Schedule your free consultation by calling (877) 880-4090. Meanwhile, please enjoy these useful details about how much attorneys charge for motorcycle accident claims. 

Understanding Attorney Fees

Billing practices are not always standard across the legal industry, so you should always ask lawyers how they charge. You will likely sign a fee agreement when you hire your attorney; read this document carefully. 

Below are some common fee structures. Don’t be shy about asking questions during your initial consultation to ensure that you understand the arrangement. 

Retainers 

A retainer fee is an upfront payment to an attorney to secure their services. Attorneys use these funds to guarantee their availability and to cover specific costs.

What happens if the lawyer incurs a necessary cost not covered by the retainer? What if the retainer fee runs out before your motorcycle accident case is resolved? The attorney could bill you extra for time, services, or materials in both scenarios. 

To avoid unexpected costs when accepting retainer fee arrangements, clearly outline the scope of work beforehand and discuss any potential additional fees.

Hourly rates

An hourly rate arrangement for legal services refers to the payment method where attorneys charge their clients based on the number of hours they spend working on a case.

Under this arrangement, clients are billed for the time spent by the attorney, which can vary depending on:

• The complexity of the motorcycle accident case
• The attorney’s experience, skills, and reputation
• The location where the motorcycle crash occurred

Clear communication with the lawyer is essential when working under an hourly rate arrangement. Attorneys bill hourly fees by keeping track of the time they spend on different tasks related to your case. Though few attorneys can give you an exact number in advance, you can ask for an estimate of the time and cost your case will take. 

According to USAfacts.com, a typical attorney earns between about $32 and $115 an hour. Your motorcycle accident case may involve a team of professionals and many processing and operating costs. Therefore, a lawyer might charge you significantly more per hour for legal costs. 

You should request regular updates on the progress of your claim, the hours spent, and the expenses incurred.

Flat rates

A flat rate for legal services is a set fee that covers all services provided by a lawyer, regardless of the time spent on the case. Flat rates reduce or eliminate hidden fees and surprise costs. 

Services commonly offered by flat rate include:

• Courier: Delivery of important documents, reports, or packages 
• Service of process: Notifying a party of a lawsuit of initial legal action
• Small claims: Claims involving small amounts of money
• Skip-trace: Locating a person’s whereabouts

In general, time-consuming personal injury cases that involve extensive research, interviews with police, doctors, and witnesses, and accident reconstruction are ineligible for this payment structure.

Contingency fees

Treating motorcycle injuries is one of the largest expenses associated with motorcycle accident claims. During recovery, some accident victims cannot work. The costs of repairing a motorcycle can also run into the thousands. 

When finances are tight, a contingency arrangement can eliminate the burden of legal fees. The law firm handling your motorcycle accident claim covers initial costs.

Instead of billing money upfront like the fee structures mentioned above, when lawyers work on contingency, they take a percentage of the settlement or award you receive. If you do not win your lawsuit, you owe nothing in most cases.

What percentage do lawyers take? The answer varies depending on the attorney and how your case is resolved. For instance, if your case is settled out of court, you will likely pay less than if it requires a lengthy court trial or if the defendant appeals the verdict. Most states require lawyers and clients to sign a written contingency fee agreement before the work begins. 

Managing the Costs of a Motorcycle Accident Claim

Many factors can affect how much money is needed to settle a motor vehicle accident case. Fortunately, some of these elements are in your control. 

Minimizing legal expenses 

You can reduce the money you spend on a lawsuit by taking the following actions and avoiding common mistakes:

• Take photos or videos of anything relevant from the accident scene, including property damage, injuries, road conditions, and personal protective equipment
• Give a thorough account of your motorcycle accident, writing down key facts while they are fresh in your mind
• Keep copies of your motorcycle accident expenses, such as medical bills, prescription drug receipts, pay stubs, and repair estimates
• Stay organized, keeping track of important deadlines, future court appearances, and other important dates to prevent unnecessary delays
• Minimize billable hours by arriving on time to appointments and preparing your questions in advance
• Consider alternatives to court trials (e.g. mediation or arbitration) 
• Select your attorney wisely since switching later can be costly
• Double-check your legal bills for accuracy

Some insurance companies offer to settle out of court. Quickly resolving your case early can save you money, but it could cost you later if the compensation is too low to cover your future medical expenses. Your attorney can help you determine whether accepting a settlement offer is worth it. 

Anticipating appeals and post-trial proceedings

In movies, the legal process often ends with a judge striking a gavel against a wooden block. Yet, in real life, law proceedings can last a long time. When calculating the costs of a civil action, do not ignore the possibility of an appeal. 

For instance, if the defendant finds the ruling unsatisfactory, he or she might try to file an appeal. Your lawyer might need to gather more proof of your claim or contest new evidence provided by the opposing counsel. 

Hire Lawyers Who Bring Priceless Value

When you pay for any service, you want to ensure that what you get is worth the money. Hiring a lawyer is no different. 

An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer should defend your rights. While attorneys fight to recover compensation for your losses and mental anguish, you can focus on your recovery. Many clients agree that the skills of hardworking lawyers are well worth the cost of hiring professional assistance. 

Our consistent track record of success at Fielding Law reveals our attorneys’ focus on superb quality as we represent our clients’ best interests. Our lawyers are confident we can offer valuable service, so we never charge for the initial consultation.

Come and meet our team for free. Our legal representatives are ready to discuss your needs and determine the value of your accident claim. Call us at (877) 880-4090 to schedule a motorcycle accident case review as soon as possible.