If someone is injured by another person’s actions, the method for that person to receive compensation is through a personal injury lawsuit. However, many people feel they cannot afford to pay an attorney to file a lawsuit. It is no secret that legal representation is not cheap. So, if you are worried about the cost of hiring an attorney, this guide will provide you with some solutions that may help you get the representation that you need.
Legal Aid Options
In most areas, there are several legal aid options available to the average person. These include:
- Legal clinics – Much like a medical clinic, a legal clinic can provide legal advice for free. Some legal clinics also provide simpler legal services.
- Pro bono attorney – Attorneys are encouraged to offer about 50 hours of free legal services each year. Not all attorneys follow this recommendation, but there are many that do.
- Legal aid law firms – There are some law firms which are funded by the state or private contributors. These law firms take applications from people who cannot afford representation and provide legal services for free to those who need it.
Although it is not applicable for personal injury cases, if you ever find yourself as the defendant in a criminal case, you can rest assured that an attorney will be provided for you. These types of attorneys are called public defenders. It is the right of every US citizen to have legal representation in criminal cases.
Contingency Fee
For the plaintiff, it is very common for an attorney to work on a contingency fee. This means that the attorney is only paid if the case is won. At that time, the attorney will receive a percent of the total won in the case. If the case is lost, the attorney will usually receive nothing or almost nothing. This can be a great option for those who cannot afford to pay an attorney, because you are essentially borrowing against the amount of money you hope to win in the lawsuit.
You should be aware, however, that the percent attorneys usually claim in these kinds of agreement is relatively high. The attorney is taking an enormous risk by taking the case, and may have to pay legal fees with no promise of compensation. It is common for a contingency fee to be 30 percent or more.It is never a good idea to try to represent yourself.