How to Save Legal Fees After A Rideshare Accident

Rideshare accidents often involve settlements based on the nature of the accident and the parties involved, and you may have to pay legal fees if you are involved in one, as a rideshare driver or passenger, or if you drive the vehicle involved in the accident. These fees vary from case to case but may leave your pockets lean unless you know how to slash legal fees and save money.

Read this guide to understand how legal fees work, the ones you might pay if you are ever in an accident, and how to work around saving some money on legal fees.

What are Legal Fees?

Legal fees are the costs associated with hiring the services of a professional in the legal field. Despite your best efforts to reduce your vulnerability with ride shares, you may have to hire an attorney in the event of an accident. Your attorney will typically charge a fee based on your agreement. Legal fees are charged based on several structures, with the common being retainer, hourly, contingency, and flat fees.

Hourly Fees. Attorneys charge clients based on the number of hours worked, and this is common in many legal practices. The rates vary but are typically higher than the minimum wage. Specialist lawyers may command more fees.
Contingency Fees. This structure is more common with lawyers working on personal injury and accident cases and stipulates payment to attorneys only if they win the case for the client.
Flat Fees. Flat fees are charged once and fixed for the entire process.
Consultation Fees. Some attorneys may charge a fee for the first meeting to hear the case and decide if they want to take it.

Attorneys practice timekeeping to keep track of the hours they spend and ensure they provide maximum value for the fees they receive.

How to Spot Unfair Legal Fees

Transparent billing is important for the attorney-client relationship and is required by regulatory frameworks in Ohio, for instance, although other states have regulations that promote transparency in all sectors. Unfair legal fees arise from up-billing, high overhead/excessive costs, minimum billing increments, and double billing and may be passed to clients unfairly. Spotting unfair legal fees is easy; you don’t have to understand much about the legal process yourself, but you do need to be attentive and ask for clarity.

Know the Fee Structure. Understand the fee structure and know how your lawyer charges before hiring them. This knowledge helps you assess the compatibility of the service with your budget.
Get a Detailed Estimate. Ask for a detailed cost estimate that clearly outlines all costs and provides a detailed breakdown of each item, including the methods for tracking time.
Scrutinize Invoices. Spend time reviewing the invoice and pay attention to each detail. Remember to ask for clarity where necessary until you are satisfied.
Request Regular Updates. If the case is in progress, receiving regular updates helps you track the attorney’s costs and potential discrepancies, allowing you to manage expenses effectively.

Seeking Legal Assistance After a Rideshare Accident

The first few hours after an accident are always crucial, but it is probably the best time to get an attorney on your case. The first step is to ensure your safety and that of everyone involved and call emergency services where possible. Only move vehicles if it is safe and necessary. Then, document the scene with videos and photos and collect contact information from all parties, including witnesses. File a police report before or after seeking medical attention and ensure you get medical documentation. Your final step is to reach out to an Uber accident lawyer who can assist you recover the damages.

Tips for Negotiating Legal Fees

Negotiating legal fees helps you secure the services of a professional attorney at an affordable rate. Few clients understand that negotiation works and that attorneys are also willing to negotiate various terms. Here are practical tips for negotiating legal fees.

Discuss Your Budget. Attorneys appreciate clients that are honest about their budget as it allows them to negotiate effectively. You might also get some reductions.
Discuss the Scope of Work and Expectations. Doing this allows both parties to understand the services and necessary tasks that make up the fees.
Document The Agreement. Documentation helps you preserve information and avoid issues like double billing and misunderstandings.
Negotiate From a Strong Position. If you have a strong case, your attorney might be willing to listen to your offers since the likelihood of winning is higher.
Leverage Loyalty Programs. If you have an existing relationship with your attorney, you could leverage any loyalty program to reduce the final fees you pay for your case.
Explore Alternative Fee Arrangements. AFAs like blended fees, retainers, capped fees, and sliding scale fees may allow you to pay marginally lower fees than flat fees and hourly fees. Ask your attorney to explore AFAs.

Remember to stay professional when negotiating fees; be firm but polite and maximize opportunities to score good points.

Conclusion

You don’t have to go through the stress of a rideshare accident alone while paying huge legal fees. Explore the fee structure of your attorney and ensure you get value for money by avoiding unfair fees and negotiating the fees to your comfort.