What is the cost of a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer?
You just received a mail or a phone call from your local police telling you that you are a hit and run suspect. It may or may not be true that you recently left the scene of an accident, right?
A quick call to your friend, he/she advises you to seek legal representation because you could be in for more than 15 years in prison, in addition to heft fines.
Now the question is, what is a hit-and-run charge? Is a hit-and-run the same as leaving the scene of an accident charge? what is the cost of hiring a hit and run defense attorney if you are living in Chicago? what are the possible penalties?
Well, The cost of a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer can vary, but most charge a contingency fee of around 33%. It’s best to consult with a lawyer for specific information.
Well, this article explores what a hit-and-run charge is, and goes an extra mile to highlight the possible penalties and the cost of hiring a hit-and-run lawyer in Chicago and Illinois at large. If you are a hit and run victim, worry not for I included your sections too. Alright.
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What is a hit and run accident?
Okay, a hit and run accident occurs when one of the drivers party to the auto accident leaves or flees the scene of an accident.
According to Illinois laws, every driver must stop at the scene of an accident and observe the following:
- Exchange personal information like contact, address, registration information, and car insurance coverage information.
- Report the auto crash to the next police station.
- Render help if there is any person injured.
If you just hit someone else or you got involved in an accident, you must stop immediately and observe the above-mentioned legal obligations.
Recommended reading: Leaving the scene of an accident to avoid DUI
You are also advised to call and inform your insurance company immediately, or within 24 hours depending on what your policy states.
Failure to do what I already mentioned is a serious crime and is punishable by severe penalties as we shall see later.
What is the charge for hit and run in Chicago?
As I already advised you, do not even think about leaving the scene of an accident because you will not like the charges. Here are the different charges for hit and run accidents in Chicago
1. Hit and run involving property damages. In Illinois, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damages will get you charged with a class A hit and run misdemeanor.
2. Hit and Run Involving a Minor or Serious Injury. The charge for leaving the scene of an accident involving injuries is a class 4 hit and run felony.
3. Hit and Run Involving a Fatality. You face charges of class 2-3 hit and run felony if you committed a hit and run in Chicago (Illinois) involving the deaths of people.
Why do you need a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer?
After any hit and run, the victims as well as the drivers may need the services of an experienced lawyer.
If you are the victim, an experienced Chicago hit-and-run lawyer will help you navigate your legal options and negotiate on your behalf for the correct amount of damages/losses you incurred.
“If you are the driver being charged with a hit and run crime, then hiring an experienced Illinois criminal defense lawyer is almost a must, or else it’s going to be hard for you to escape the penalties”, says Steven M. Levin, a car accident lawyer in Chicago.
I already told you that the maximum number of years in prison for a driver that illegally left theft at the scene of an accident in Illinois is 14 years. If you are the person up for charges, do not think twice about hiring a hit-and-run attorney.
How much is a hit and run ticket in Illinois?
Leaving the scene of an accident in Chicago Illinois can be classified under traffic violations like overspeeding, running a red light, or driving under the influence.
Recommended reading: how to report a car hit and run accident?
If you just committed a hit and run, the following will be the cost of a hit and run ticket in Illinois:
1. You will pay a fine of not more than $2,500 if you committed a hit and run misdemeanor (hit-and-run accident with only property damage).
2. Prepare to part with at least $25,000 if the hit-and-run accident involved minor or serious injuries.
3. If the hit and run involved fatalities, the at-fault driver will pay up to $25,000 just like in number 2 above. The difference will be the longest prison time as I will explain later in this article.
How much does a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer cost?
Yes. You are the victim of a hit and run or you are the driver that left the scene of an accident. How much will hiring a lawyer cost you?
Well, “The cost of hiring a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer can vary depending on several factors”, says John J. Perconti, a personal injury lawyer in Chicago.
Below is what you need to know as far as hiring a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer.
1. Hourly cost of Chicago accident lawyer. According to national estimates, the average charge of a car accident lawyer in Chicago is $250.
“But of course, these charges will vary depending on the experience of the lawyer, the complexity of the case, and the attorney’s reputation, says Margaret P. Battersby Black, a personal injury attorney in Chicago.
Recommended reading: What happens after mediation settlement?
2. Contingency Fee. Some lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer gets paid only when he wins you a settlement or if he wins a verdict on your behalf.
Car accident lawyers that work on the contingency fee system usually charge 30-40% of your settlement/verdict.
For example. Assume the Jury awards you $100,000 as your verdict. The lawyer will walk home with $30,000 (30%) to $40,000 (40%) as his law fees.
3.No-Cost Consultation. Most personal injury lawyers, including lawyers that handle car accidents, do not charge consultation fees for these cases.
You could make an appointment and speak to the lawyer all free of charge. This gives you a chance to have the lawyer assess your case, explore legal options, and also learn how much the lawyer will charge you.
What factors affect the cost of a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer?
In my own opinion, several factors can affect the cost of hiring a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer. Here are some of the most important factors to consider:
1. Experience. We all know that “experience is the best teacher”, right? Of course, experience comes with a cost!
Lawyers that are more experienced in handling hit and run cases may charge a higher fee compared to a new lawyer, or another attorney that has not handled such cases.
2. Complexity of the case. We all agree that some hit and run cases are more complex and require time and resources to navigate it.
If your case involves severe injuries or deaths, many drivers, etc, the lawyer will most likely charge you top dollars.
3. Severity of injuries. Your hired lawyer will be defending you in a hit and run felony that carries up to 14 years in prison, and a fine of up to $25,000. Definitely, you will pay more to hire this criminal defense lawyer.
4. Type of Fee Arrangement. I already explained the available types of legal fees that most Chicago hit and run lawyers charge. For example, you will pay much more if your lawyers charge you hourly and the case takes forever to settle.
5. Additional costs. You will not be limited to paying legal fees alone once you hired a legal representative. Costs like court fees, expert witness fees, and other expenses add up more quickly making the whole process more expensive.
How to find the right Chicago hit and run accident lawyer?
Just like it’s hard to find a good doctor, finding the right Chicago hit and run lawyer is not easy and you may need a little help. Follow the following steps to find the right accident lawyer in Chicago.
1. Seek recommendations. Ask a friend or a loved one if they have any recommendations for a hit and run attorney in Chicago.
2. Research online. Technology today is at another level. Ask Google to help you find a good personal injury lawyer or any car accident lawyer that have experience handling hit-and-run cases.
3. Read Reviews and Testimonials. Websites like Yelp, Avvo, and Google rating can easily provide quick client reviews of the lawyer you intend to hire. If the attorney has a bad track record, it will be discovered in client reviews.
4. Check law websites. Most lawyers list a few of the cases they handled and also list their areas of practice. Looking for legal help, visit those websites where lawyers have experience handling hit and run accidents.
5. Schedule consultations. Most personal injury lawyers offer free case evaluation and other schedules. During that free consultation sessions, use your gut feeling to make a decision about hiring a lawyer or not.
6. Use experience and expertise. A Chicago hit and run attorney should have a deep understanding of the relevant laws, insurance issues, and strategies for maximizing compensation.
6. Evaluate Communication and Rapport. During the free consultation sessions, evaluate the lawyer’s communication and social skills and see if you could work with him. According to Cari F. Silverman, “a car accident attorney, a lawyer-client relationship remains key while handling a case”.
7. Review Fee Structure. Some individuals find it easy to pay the lawyer hourly rate, whereas others may find the contingency fee basis more appealing.
You also don’t want to be told after the settlement/verdict that you need to meet other legal costs. Make sure you talk about it all before hiring a lawyer.
What to expect when working with a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer?
Every one of us who in the past worked with lawyers has different experiences and distinct experiences. To be frank, some lawyers are hard to deal with, whereas others are friendly.
If you are working with a Chicago hit and run accident lawyer, here are some things you can expect:
1. Consultation. Your Illinois car accident lawyer will arrange for a free consultation session. You must provide all the relevant information about your case and ask all questions.
2. Investigation. Your lawyer will do a deep research as far as your case is concerned. He/she will gather evidence, speak to eyewitnesses, consult expert witnesses, etc.
3. Communication. Your lawyer should keep you informed throughout the process. He will continue speaking with other lawyers, and your insurance company and should keep you updated.
4. Negotiation. whether your case went to court or not, your lawyer will continue seeking possible ways of settling. You should expect him to continue speaking to your insurance company and see if there are chances of settling out of court.
5. Litigation. From research, 90-95% of car accident conflicts settle out of court. Your lawyer should be ready to represent you before the jury if your case goes to trial.
6. Fees. The majority of lawyer-client conflicts arise from things to do with legal fees. You should expect your lawyer to be transparent. He/she should explain everything you need to know about the costs of hiring a Chicago hit and run attorney.
Conclusion.
Hiring a Chicago hit and run lawyer should provide you peace of mind as you rest assured that you have the best legal representation and that your interests will be presented.
If you are a hit and run victim, you should rest assured that you will receive fair compensation for the damages you incurred and that the perpetrator will be held responsible for his actions.
If you are the driver, hiring a Chicago hit and run lawyer should give you assurance that you will receive the least possible penalties, and or there are possibilities the charges will be dropped or suspended.
Overall, an experience Chicago or Illinois hit and run lawyer will cost you around $250 hourly, whereas other lawyers will want you to pay them a contingency fee.
Source:
1. Chicago Car Accident Lawyer Near You. website: https://www.malmanlaw.com/car-accident-lawyer/
2. What Does a Criminal Defense Lawyer Do?. source:https://www.hg.org/legal-articles/what-does-a-criminal-defense-lawyer-do-22709
3. What Is a Hit and Run? source: https://www.lemonade.com/car/explained/hit-and-run-accident/
4. Rule 1.7 Conflict of Interest: Current Clients. source: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_7_conflict_of_interest_current_clients/comment_on_rule_1_7/
