Do I Pay for an Attorney in a Car Accident Case?

Use these links to jump to different sections:

• New Hampshire Car Accidents: An Overview of Compensation
• What to Know About Contingency Fee Arrangements

Traffic collisions are the top cause of accidental injuries in Northern New England. According to data provided by the New Hampshire Office of Highway Safety, there were 28,092 crashes reported in the state in 2021 alone. Following a serious accident, you need money to pay your medical bills, cover lost paychecks, and support your family.

Many people want to hire a car accident lawyer to help them navigate the personal injury claims process, but they are worried about the potential case. It is generally not an issue. Most car accident lawyers are retained on contingency. In this article, you will find an overview of your right to recover compensation and how you pay for a lawyer after a car accident in New Hampshire.

New Hampshire Car Accidents: An Overview of Compensation

New Hampshire is an at-fault motor vehicle accident jurisdiction. The party deemed at-fault for the crash—the driver, truck company, vehicle manufacturer, road construction firm, etc—can be held legally liable for damages sustained by the victim(s). In New Hampshire, you have a right to seek financial recovery for economic and non-economic losses. Compensation may be available for:

• Automobile repairs
• Ambulance costs
• Emergency room care
• Physical therapy
• Mental health support
• Medical treatment bills
• Loss of wages
• Loss of earning power
• Pain and suffering
• Permanent disfigurement
• Long term disability
• Wrongful death of a family member

A car accident settlement in New Hampshire is designed to be “compensatory” in nature—meaning the amount of money should be equivalent to your actual damages. Sadly, insurance companies do not make getting compensation easy. They are focused on their own bottom line. Hiring an auto accident attorney is one of the best ways to protect your legal rights and financial interests.

What to Know About Contingency Fee Arrangements

You have probably heard that lawyers are expensive. You may be wondering if you are responsible for paying for your own personal injury attorney after a serious car accident in New Hampshire.

The good news is that there are generally no upfront costs or attorney fees associated with hiring a personal injury lawyer for a car accident case. Many personal injury lawyers offer a free case evaluation, and most personal injury law firms in New Hampshire handle car accident claims on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee arrangement, a lawyer represents you in exchange for a percentage of your settlement amount.

This is beneficial for a number of different reasons. To start, you do not have to pay anything out of your own pocket. Next, you never have to worry about a hourly billing rate for lawyer fees. You will not get charged for making a phone call or exchanging an email with your lawyer. Finally, there is no risk associated with pursuing a case. If you do not get compensation your attorney will not get paid. They only get a legal fee if they help you secure a fair settlement or verdict.

If you or your loved one was hurt in a motor vehicle collision, a New Hampshire personal injury attorney can provide legal advice.

For more information on this area of law, see our personal injury overview.