What is a car accident contingency fee?
All contingent fees must be signed and in writing. The Utah ethics rules for attorneys require a written signed contingent fee before beginning work. See Utah Rule of Professional Conduct 1.5(c).
Contingent fees in Utah car accidents work were the injury attorney doesn’t get paid unless you receive a settlement or verdict.
A settlement is where the parties agrees to money amount. A verdict is given after a jury’s verdict. A judgement is given by a judge after a judge only trial. Either way the attorney risks not getting paid unless you win your case.
What is the risk of signing a contingency fee?
You have very, very little risk in signing a contingency fee. The legal work can’t start until the fee agreement is signed. All contingent fee agreements are fully revokeable and can be cancelled by either side. See this video on the top 3 mistakes after a Utah car accident.
How much is the contingent fee?
Utah car accident attorneys usually charge 33% of your total settlement or verdict. So if you settle for $100,000 or the jury/judge gives you a verdict of $100,000 your attorney would receive $33,000 in legal fees.
(1). Most contingency fees are 33 percent.
(2). Some contingency fees are 40 percent if a lawsuit is filed.
(3). Utah personal injury attorney Jake Gunter uses a 33 percent contingency fee regardless of whether a lawsuit is filed or the case settles.
Are contingent fees used on other types of injury cases? Yes.
Contingent fees are used on Utah car accident injury cases. But contingent fees are also used widely on other types of injury cases such as:
Dog bites. Animal attacks. Fires. Slip and falls. Trucking. Bicycle. Pedestrian injury claims. Insurance disputes and many more.
I chose the wrong attorney. Can I revoke the contingent fee? Yes.
You can always revoke the contingent fee and get a new attorney. Depending on how the contingent fee is written, sometimes you are can be liable for attorney fees and costs incurred by the attorney you just fired. Other times if the attorney fires you, you don’t owe them anything.
The power of a contingent fee and a jury trial!
The contingent fee allows poor or people of lesser means obtain justice. The attorney works for free and doesn’t get paid until you receive a settlement. The contingent fee coupled with the civil right to a jury trial equals the leveling of the playing field against the powerful.
“Trial by jury is part of the bright constellation which leads to peace, liberty and safety.” Thomas Jefferson, (1801).