It may not cost you anything out of your pocket to sue someone in New York. Personal injury attorneys serving Long Island and other nearby areas generally represent clients based on contingency. We want you to know that we do, too.
You can also speak with most personal injury law firms, including ours, for free. This consultation gives you an opportunity to learn more about how fee schedules work, when you will need to pay, and how much. We do not require a retainer fee and only get paid if you do. Attorney’s fees come from your settlement or court award.
Understanding How Contingency-Fee Payments Work
Contingency fees are a common way personal injury lawyers handle getting paid for the cases they undertake. We understand that victims may not have the money to pay a retainer and keep paying them as the case moves forward. You don’t have to worry about whether you can afford legal help with us.
If we recover compensation for the client, the personal injury victim will have access to cash following the settlement or trial. This allows the attorney to agree to a situation where they receive a percentage of the total settlement or award after the case.
There are No Upfront Fees for Victims
If a personal injury attorney asks you to pay a retainer or other upfront fees, you may want to seek another law firm. Many do not ask for any money at all before you reach a settlement or receive a verdict.
Instead, they provide the necessary financial resources to investigate what happened, file the claim, and sue the liable party if necessary. Their percentage of your recovery could include these out-of-pocket expenses, or they may bill you separately after the case concludes. This should be clearly explained in your contract.
Your Attorney Does Not Get Paid If You Do Not Win
Under a contingency fee agreement, your attorney does not receive their fee if they do not secure a payout in your case. This provides an incentive for our law firm to fight for your compensation and recover as much as possible based on the facts of your case.
It also prevents you from paying for legal services when you did not recover compensation to pay your medical bills, lost wages, and more.
You will Not Have to Worry About Paying the Law Firm Out of Your Recovery
When a lawyer from our firm does secure a settlement or verdict in your case, you will not need to worry about receiving a bill and paying them from your bank account. Instead, the money will first go to the law firm.
They will deposit it in a special trust account for safekeeping. Then, they will calculate their fees according to your contract and cut you a check for the remainder of your compensation.
You May Not Need to Sue the Liable Party to Recover Damages
In many cases, it is not necessary to sue someone to recover compensation following an incident and injury on Long Island. Instead, most personal injury cases settle outside of court.
An attorney with us may be able to prepare a convincing insurance claim with strong evidence to show:
- Negligence
- Liability
- The value of your damages
This, along with proven negotiation tactics, could secure a payout from the insurance company based on a settlement agreement. This may be faster, cheaper, and less stressful than filing a lawsuit and going to trial.
When is a Lawsuit Necessary in a Personal Injury Case on Long Island?
There are some circumstances when a lawsuit becomes necessary to pursue the payout you need based on your incurred losses and expenses. These include:
- When the insurer denies your claim or will not negotiate in good faith
- When the liable party claims you shared fault in the incident
What Should You Do If You Think You Have a Personal Injury Case?
Most personal injury law firms serving Long Island, including ours, will review your case for free. You can ask our attorney about your legal options, their services, and how you can pay for their support and representation.
Per CVP §214, injured victims in New York generally have up to three years to sue someone if that is necessary in their case. However, you will want to build a case and file an insurance claim first in many cases. Act quickly after your injury to get started. Evidence can disappear, and memories can fade. The sooner you reach out for help, the better. Additionally, there are many circumstances when you have less time than that provided for in CPLR.
Speak with a Team Member from Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. About Your Case
Rosenberg & Gluck, L.L.P. provides free case consultations for victims who suffered injuries in Suffolk and Nassau counties. We can review the details of your incident and injuries and provide you with answers. Se habla español.
Call today to discuss what happened to you and what you can do to seek compensation.
