Jan 13 2022

When you work with a San Antonio lemon lawyer, paying for their services can happen in several ways. How law firms structure their payment systems can have a big impact on your case, specifically on what you are awarded. When it comes to loss of use cases, there are many law firms that charge a flat fee, but other law firms, like the Law Office of Darin Siefkes, charge a percentage contingency fee. It is important that you learn the difference between the two and how they affect your case. 

Flat Fee Payments

Under a flat fee payment structure, your lawyer will tell you how much you need to pay for their assistance. In a loss of use case, your lawyer will charge the same fee regardless of how much your settlement ends up being. You will generally pay this fee from your settlement.

Pros

With a flat fee, you’ll know up front exactly how much you need to pay for legal assistance. There won’t be any surprises later that the fee is higher or lower than you’d expect. This is a good way to pay if the vehicle is a repurchase or replacement.

Cons

Unfortunately, having a flat fee structure does little to motivate an attorney to fight for higher amounts of money on your behalf. They receive the same fee amount no matter how much effort they put in. Sometimes, the settlement is this amount or less. In these cases, the entire amount goes to your attorney. You actually may not ever see any of the money from your settlement.

Contingency Fees

With a contingency fee-based structure, the lawyer takes a set percentage of your settlement. If you don’t win a settlement in court, you won’t owe the lawyer anything. 

Pros

This structure is highly beneficial for clients if money if a cash settlement is being negotiated since it aligns your needs and interests with that of your attorney’s. The more the attorney can get you in your settlement, the more the attorney gets paid. If you don’t get paid, they don’t get paid. 

Cons

In many cases, you’ll pay less through a contingency fee. However, for very, very large settlements, you could end up paying more than you would have if your attorney was charging a flat fee. 

Finding the right San Antonio lemon law attorney is the first step in your case. You will need to decide which fee structure you’re comfortable with. To discuss your questions about contingency fees or your lemon law case in general, contact The Law Office of Darin Siefkes to schedule a consultation by calling 512-206-4242.