How Much Does a Lawyer Cost in Boulder, CO?

When you are injured in an accident, you may feel overwhelmed. You are dealing with the physical injury, emotional trauma, and financial stress of a personal injury. You may wonder if you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to handle your case. However, how much does a lawyer cost in Boulder, CO?

Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee, you don’t pay any money upfront to hire a lawyer. Instead, you agree to pay the lawyer only after they win your case.

What Is a Contingency Fee in a Boulder Personal Injury Case?

Lawyers charge for their legal services in several ways. Some attorneys charge a flat rate for services. You pay the entire amount upfront and are not charged any more fees for the agreed-upon services.

Other attorneys may charge by the hour. In those situations, you pay a retainer fee when you hire a lawyer. The attorney bills against that retainer fee based on their hourly rate. Generally, clients must keep a specific amount on retainer with the lawyer until the case is complete.

Contingency fees are another way of paying an attorney for their services. A contingency fee agreement does not require paying any money upfront. Instead, you agree to pay the attorney a percentage of the amount they recover for your case.

The attorney is not paid until and unless they win your case. They are not paid if they do not recover any money for your claim.

Therefore, you can trust that your personal injury lawyer believes in your case. They would not take a case in which they did not think they could win. Your attorneys also work diligently to recover the maximum amount for your claim because their fees depend on their success with your case.

What Types of Personal Injury Cases Do Attorneys Take for a Contingency Fee?

Boulder personal injury lawyers accept contingency fees for many personal injury cases, including, but not limited to:

Contingency fees are used in all types of personal injury cases. If you have questions about a contingency fee, you can talk with a personal injury lawyer free of charge. Most attorneys offer free consultations, so speaking with an attorney does not cost you anything.

Why Does a Personal Injury Lawyer in Boulder Agree To Work on a Case for a Contingency Fee?

It seems odd that an attorney would gamble on being paid for their services. However, experienced personal injury lawyers know the strength of a case. They carefully analyze your case to determine whether they believe it can be won.

Contingency fees benefit clients. Accidents and injuries can cause a financial crisis for the victim and their family. It can be difficult for them to hire a personal injury lawyer. A contingency fee allows them to have the resources and the skills of a legal team on their side without worrying about how to pay the attorney’s fees.

What Are the Average Contingency Fees Used by Boulder Personal Injury Lawyers?

Contingency fees vary. The average contingency fee for a personal injury case is around one-third or 33% of the amount recovered. However, that fee could be higher or lower depending on several factors.

Factors that affect how much an attorney may charge for a contingency fee in a personal injury case include:

The type of law involved in the personal injury case
The complexity of the case
The attorney’s experience, track record, and reputation
The parties involved in the personal injury case
The resources and time the attorney believes he will need to devote to the case to win
Whether the personal injury case is resolved through formal mediation, settlement negotiations, or a trial

The contingency fee amount may change depending on when the case is resolved. For example, the contingency fee may increase if the case has to go to trial instead of settling through negotiations.

Regardless of the contingency fee amount, the retainer agreement and contingency fee agreement should be in writing. The agreement should be clear and include all of the terms of the agreement.

Never sign an agreement to hire a lawyer unless you read the entire agreement, including the fine print. If there is anything in the agreement that is not clear or you don’t understand, ask the attorney for clarification before signing the agreement. Never sign an agreement that includes blanks that are not completed.

Paying for the Costs of Pursuing a Personal Injury Case in Bounder, CO

In addition to the attorney’s fees, there will likely be costs associated with the case. While each case is different, standard costs in a personal injury case typically include:

Filing fees for court documents
Fees for copies and postage
The cost of obtaining medical records, accident reports, and other documents
Deposition costs
The fees and costs to hire expert witnesses
Investigation costs
Trial preparation

The law firm will usually pay the costs of the case as they arise. However, your agreement states that you will reimburse the law firm for those costs from the money the lawyers recover for your personal injury claim.

An important detail to cover with the attorney is who pays the costs if the attorney fails to recover money for your claim. Are you required to reimburse the law firm out of your pocket, or does the law firm absorb those costs? Ensure the retainer agreement includes a section explaining how fees and costs are paid in the event you win the case and should you lose the case.

Do You Need Help With a Personal Injury Claim in Boulder, CO?

The best way to know if you have a personal injury case is to discuss your situation with an attorney. You can get the information you need and discuss the specifics of your case. Understanding your legal options is the first step to protecting your rights after an accident or injury.