Hiring a Michigan motorcycle accident lawyer usually requires paying no upfront fees or costs. Instead, these attorneys work based on contingency. They get paid fees and reimbursed for expenses through the money they recover for you. If they do not secure compensation in your case, they do not get paid.
This payment structure works well in accident cases when the victim likely already faces many incoming bills and out-of-pocket costs related to their accident and injuries. The costs associated with hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for fair compensation should not put them further in debt.
Understanding How Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Handle Legal Fees
There are several ways attorneys can handle legal fees. These include:
- Hourly Rates: The lawyer tracks how long they work on the case, and the client pays them hourly.
- Flat Fees: The lawyer handles a specific task or case based on a flat fee.
- Retainers: The lawyer asks for a deposit upfront and works off it until they run out. Then, the client will need to pay another retainer.
- Contingency Fees: The lawyer works for a percentage of the money they recover in the case.
Most personal injury law firms—including motorcycle accident lawyers—use a contingency payment structure. This requires no retainer, and the victim does not pay an hourly rate for the work done by their lawyer.
What Are Contingency Fees?
When a law firm handles a case based on contingency, the client does not pay anything upfront. Instead, the attorney uses firm resources to manage the case and pay all related costs. Once the case settles or goes to trial and there is a payout, the attorney will take an agreed-on percentage of the payout as their fee.
In this way, the lawyer’s payment is contingent on their ability to win the case and recover maximum compensation based on the case facts. The percentage paid to the attorney varies based on the lawyer’s experience, whether the case requires litigation, and other factors.
There are several advantages of contingency fees for clients. Primarily, there is no need to pay anything now. The law firm will cover investigation costs, expert witness fees, court costs, and other expenses.
Michigan Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Assume Risks, Not You
When you hire a Michigan personal injury lawyer on a contingency fee basis, it aligns your best interests with those of the legal team handling your case. Your attorney will receive a percentage of your payout, providing motivation for them to fight for the largest possible settlement or verdict in your case.
Generally, you owe nothing if the case is unsuccessful. A contingency fee agreement puts the financial risk on the lawyer, not on you. You have spent nothing. It is worth noting that some firms have different arrangements, or there might be costs you need to pay regardless of the outcome. Your attorney should explain this clearly before you sign a contract with their team.
Some potential costs that are typically deducted from the settlement or court award include:
- Court costs
- Fees for obtaining medical records
- Costs for hiring expert witnesses
- Investigation expenses
What happens to these costs and who pays them if you do not win your case depends on the arrangement with the law firm. It is best to ask about these costs before hiring the firm so you can prepare.
The Benefits of Hiring a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer on Contingency
There are numerous benefits to a contingency fee arrangement for motorcycle accident victims. They have someone to protect their rights and manage their case while they are at their most vulnerable financially, and hiring this party does not put them at risk of losing more money. Some of the benefits of hiring an attorney on contingency include:
Experienced, Knowledgeable Representation
Contingency fee agreements offer access to legal advice, guidance, and representation without financial barriers. This allows anyone hurt in a motorcycle accident to hire the law firm of their choice without having to consider affordability or how they will pay their fees.
Little to No Financial Risk
When lawyers work on contingency, there is reduced financial risk for clients. They are not paying related costs out of their pocket like they would if they managed their own claim, and they will not need to pay the attorney’s fees unless the lawyer recovers money for them. This makes working with a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer the most financially feasible option for many victims.
A Better Chance at Recovering Maximum Compensation
With contingency fee agreements, lawyers are incentivized to win cases and maximize compensation. Often, crash victims recover more money with the help of an attorney—even after paying costs and fees—than they could have without legal representation.
The payout in a motorcycle accident relies on many factors. Your attorney will know how to address each of them, seeking the money you need and deserve based on the circumstances of your accident and other case facts. This allows them to recover compensation beyond what most victims would know to pursue in these cases.
Choosing the Right Lawyer for Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Case
The Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) reported 3,158 motorcycle-involved accidents, with 173 motorcyclist fatalities and over 2,400 injuries in 2022.
When a motorcyclist has serious injuries, such as severe traumatic brain injuries or spinal cord injuries, they are likely still undergoing medical care, rehabilitation, and healing at a time when the case requires attention for rights protection and evidence preservation. This makes hiring a lawyer to manage the case even more important. The truth is that most victims lack the knowledge, experience, time, and money to handle their claims and recover as much money as an attorney could.
Still, many injured motorcyclists and their families are intimidated by the process of choosing the right lawyer. Knowing what to look for and how to navigate this process makes things easier. Keep these things in mind:
- Free Consultations: You should be able to speak with a team member about your case for free. They will assess your options and discuss how their lawyer can help.
- Their Experience: You want an attorney who handles cases like yours regularly. Ask about their experience and track record with similar cases.
- Recommendations: Ask friends and family for their personal recommendations. Also, review the client testimonials and online reviews for any firm you consider. You might learn a lot about the way they operate from what their past clients say online.
Importantly, you should expect a clear explanation of the fee structure and costs before you sign a contract with the law firm for representation. They should be willing to explain how their fees work in an easy-to-understand and concise way and answer any questions you have about this.
Talk to Our Team About Your Michigan Motorcycle Accident Case for Free
At Christensen Law, our lawyers work based on contingency fees. Our clients pay no upfront costs and the financial risk is always on our firm. Discuss your accident and legal options with our team today for free. Call our firm to get started today.
