This article originally appeared on cychacks.com

Suffering an accident because of another person’s negligence or wrongdoing can be tragic and dramatic. It is an event that often leads to mountains of medical bills, healing time, and even lost wages if the victim can not immediately return to work. Unfortunately, most people will not admit fault in a personal injury case leaving victims to seek out an experienced personal injury lawyer.

In the wake of a personal injury tragedy, people often do not have the disposable cash to pay for a personal injury lawyer upfront. Luckily, it is often not necessary because many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. Continue reading the article below to learn more.

Hiring a Personal Injury Lawyer

People often mistakenly assume that they need a large amount of money to hire an attorney to work on their case. Sometimes, that may be the case. However, a personal injury lawyer will often take cases contingently, meaning they only get paid if they win.

A personal injury lawyer will listen to the facts of the case as you present them. You will discuss things at length and talk about the necessary proof for a potential claim. A personal injury lawyer who is confident they can win your case will answer all questions about the potential expenses and hourly rate charged when working on a personal injury case.

If the personal injury lawyer decides to take your case, you will sign a contract, and they will begin work. The contract will include their agreed-upon rate, which includes either a percentage of any winnings or a flat hourly fee. Your personal injury lawyer will take their payment from whatever judgment or settlement is won, and the client does not need to pay upfront.

Do all personal injury lawyers work on contingency?

Most times, a personal injury lawyer will work on a contingency basis. They typically will only take cases they are confident they can win, which works for both the attorney and the client. There may be some personal injury attorneys who do not work on a contingency basis, but most of them do. Working on contingency is considered standard in the personal injury field for attorneys.

While this proves to be very helpful for most personal injury victims, it is still important to understand exactly the charges. While a personal injury lawyer cannot give you an exact figure, they should be able to tell you what percentage or hourly rate their standard charge is. You should also ask about extra charges.

For instance, a personal injury lawyer may charge a flat percentage fee of 10 percent plus the cost of administrative fees or paperwork. If they must hire a private investigator, that may be an additional charge. You should ask about potential additional charges upfront before signing any paperwork.

Partner with an Experienced Personal Injury Lawyer

If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing, you should partner with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can fight for your rights. The right personal injury lawyer will be well-versed in the laws of your state and will work on a contingency basis to get you the compensation you deserve for your injury. They will utilize documentation, eyewitnesses, and expert testimony to help build your winning case.

Partnering with a skilled personal injury lawyer is the best way to hold someone accountable for the actions that caused your injury and help ensure that it doesn’t happen to someone else. Do your research by reading client testimonials and asking questions to find the right attorney for you.