It’s not uncommon for injury lawyer in Grand Prairie and clients to argue and haggle over money. Generally speaking, it’s because there are ambiguities over how much money the client owes the lawyer. That’s why it’s always important to get a written lawyer’s fee agreement, even if your state doesn’t require one.
The fee agreement will set forth the terms of the agreement, how the lawyer will be paid, and how much he or she will be compensated. It’s not uncommon for the agreement to spell out how either the client or the lawyer can end the professional relationship.
Be sure to ask the lawyer to clear up any parts of the agreement that you don’t understand before you sign it. Also, never sign the contract if you have a bad feeling about it or if the lawyer doesn’t explain it to your satisfaction. Always get it in writing as to what type of work your lawyer will do for you and what he or she will charge for that when you’re hiring a personal injury lawyer.
Legal Fees
Lawyers get paid one of three ways. They work on a contingency basis, They charge a flat fee, or they get paid by the hour.
Hourly fees – most lawyers charge between $100 to $300 an hour for their services. You’ll pay much less, generally between $50-$75 an hour if your lawyer hires a paralegal. Make sure that your fee agreement discusses all of that in detail though!
Flat fees – lawyers generally don’t charge this way. Expect them to charge that for routine tasks like creating a will or a power of attorney. Make sure that you know what is and is not included in the flat fee before you sign the legal agreement.
Contingency Fees – the lawyer will charge only if you get paid in this instance. Remember that the bigger your settlement, the larger your contingency fee will be. Make sure you get in writing the percentage the lawyer will charge if you win the case and if that will change over time.
Other Issues
Make sure that your legal agreement also includes these issues:
The extent of the representation – basically, don’t sign the agreement if it doesn’t say that the lawyer will represent you 100% of the time and in all legal proceedings, including the trial. Make sure that the agreement explicitly states it if the lawyer won’t handle appeals or other post-trial proceedings.
Who will do the work – make sure that the agreement states who the “lead counsel” on the case will be and all the work the lawyer will personally handle
Working together – the agreement should state how you and your lawyer will work together. A good example would be the decisions that you will take together and that either you or the lawyer will take solo.
Ending the relationship – can you end the relationship at any time, or do you have to do certain things to do so?