It can be a stressful experience to be involved in a car accident. It’s even more stressful when you need to go through a legal process. This is why it’s essential to hire a car accident attorney to help you.
Unfortunately, if you’re on a budget, finding the best car accident attorney for your needs may become more challenging since most of them ask for fees. But it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to find the right one who could provide affordable legal services.
Below is some advice on how you could find the best car accident attorneys even if you’re on a budget:
Understand The Fees
When searching for an attorney for your car accident case, make sure you understand the legal fees involved in the whole process. Many attorneys work on a pay scale while some charge a fixed fee for acceptance. Others have additional court appearance fees while some waive this for another kind of payout.
If you understand the fees, you can easily compare the attorneys across the board. See who’s the most affordable who could also help get your money’s worth.
Check The Experience
Even if your budget is tight, it doesn’t mean that you should only rely on inexperienced attorneys. You also deserve to work with an attorney with years of experience and expertise in car accident cases. So, regardless of how severe your case is, hiring an experienced attorney matters as it can help increase your chances of getting compensation for your loss or damages from a car accident.
Even if your budget is tight, it doesn’t mean that you should only rely on inexperienced attorneys.
Look For Pro Bono Services
Often, bar associations provide legal help that’s free via a pro bono program. Attorneys who are amenable to free work setups could work with individuals who are eligible to avail of such free services. Moreover, there are nonprofit organizations offering free legal services to people who are in need.
You can find a pro bono program by contacting offices for legal aid or searching online. However, to be qualified for this kind of programme, you’ll be required to show proof that you truly couldn’t afford services reaching a particular amount. Some private law firms also provide free legal help as well; you can browse online to find one.
Ask If An Attorney Offers A Payment Plan
Several attorneys are willing to work out a payment plan, so you won’t need to pay for the fees at once. For instance, you can schedule monthly payments for a particular amount until everything is paid. It’s up to the attorney to decide whether to make this kind of option available since they’re not generally required to provide one.
So, when you contact an attorney, ask first if they accept some form of arrangement. You may also explain your current situation; give your financial statement to convince them to work out a payment plan for you.
Consider Bartering
Some attorneys might agree to barter payment in the form of property, as long as that property isn’t part of your case. Others may also accept barter services like accounting or web design in exchange for their legal representation.
If you find one that’s amenable to barter, make sure to get the agreement in writing and make your terms clear. For instance, if you’re providing accounting services in exchange for legal help, clarify how long you’ll render that service for them.
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Determine If The Contingency Fee Setup Is Possible
A contingency fee means you only need to pay the attorney if you win your case. They will receive a certain percentage from the payout you’ll collect. If you don’t win the case, you won’t need to pay. However, it’s essential to remember that a contingency fee arrangement percentage may vary from one attorney to another. The typical arrangement is between 30% and 40%.
Don’t Hesitate To Agree To A Set Rate
If you can get your attorney to agree to a set rate, this may give you peace of mind and convenience in the long run. A set rate means you’ll know what you need to pay and when you should pay it.
Make sure to clarify hidden fees in the rate. Postage fees, copying costs, expert witnesses, and more might be required for your car accident case. However, these additional items may not be included in your attorney’s fees. Often, the client shoulders these expenses.
Conclusion
In serious cases, finding the best car accident attorney may spell the difference between getting fair results in the court or feeling like you’re cheated. A great attorney could help ensure that you’ll get the results you want. Although it’s hard to find one when you’re on a budget, following the tips above can be of great help.
