Do Pedestrian Accident Attorneys in Hialeah Work on Contingency?
Yes. Wolfson & Leon handles Hialeah pedestrian accident cases on a pure contingency basis: you pay no attorney fee upfront, and you owe no attorney fee at all if there is no recovery. The fee is a percentage of what the firm recovers for you, and that percentage is spelled out in a written agreement you sign before any work begins.
Yes. Wolfson & Leon handles Hialeah pedestrian accident cases on a pure contingency basis: you pay no attorney fee upfront, and you owe no attorney fee at all if there is no recovery. The fee is a percentage of what the firm recovers for you, and that percentage is spelled out in a written agreement you sign before any work begins.
Yes, so what exactly does ‘no fee unless we win’ mean in practice?
“No fee unless we win” means you never write a check to Wolfson & Leon for legal work during your case. If your claim settles or wins at trial, the firm takes an agreed-upon percentage of that recovery as its fee. If nothing is recovered, you pay nothing for the lawyer’s time, the firm absorbs that loss. This model exists so a working family in Hialeah can stand up to a national insurance carrier without paying hourly bills while they are still in physical therapy or missing work. The attorney fee is separate from case costs like medical records or court filings, which are addressed in the next section. Contingency is not risky for you financially; it shifts the risk to the law firm, where it belongs.
How is the percentage set, and what does the written agreement say?
Under Florida Bar rules, a personal injury contingency agreement generally must be in writing, and you should receive a statement of your rights as a client before you sign. Before any work starts, you will receive a written contract that states the exact fee percentage, and whether that percentage changes if your case goes to trial or appeal. The percentage applies only if there is a recovery, and nothing is signed until you understand and agree to the terms. Ask directly: what percentage applies before suit, and does it increase if we litigate? The agreement must answer that. You should read every line, ask questions, and never feel pressured to sign anything you do not understand. At Wolfson & Leon, this process is transparent from the first conversation.
Who pays the case costs while my case is open?
Attorney fees and case costs are not the same thing. Costs include police reports, medical records, expert consultants, deposition transcripts, and court filing fees, real expenses that build up in a serious pedestrian crash case. Wolfson & Leon advances all these costs while your case is open. You never pay them out of pocket during treatment or recovery. If your case results in a recovery, those costs are reimbursed from the settlement or verdict. If there is no recovery, ask this essential question upfront: am I responsible for any costs the firm advanced? Whether you would owe advanced costs if there is no recovery depends on the written agreement, so get that answer in writing. This is one of two key questions every client must ask before signing: (1) Is the fee taken before or after costs? (2) Who pays costs if we lose?
What questions should I ask before I sign a contingency agreement?
Before you sign any agreement with a Hialeah pedestrian accident attorney, including Wolfson & Leon, ask these four questions out loud:
(1) Is your fee percentage taken from the gross recovery before costs, or from the net after costs are deducted? (This affects how much you actually take home.)
(2) If there is no recovery, am I responsible for any costs the firm advanced? (The written agreement should answer this clearly.)
(3) Will I see the written fee agreement and a statement of my rights before I sign anything? (Florida Bar rules call for both.)
(4) Does the percentage change if the case goes to trial? (Under Florida Bar rules, the maximum percentage generally rises once the defendant answers a lawsuit, so ask exactly when any increase applies.)
These are not confrontational, they are standard. A good lawyer expects them.
Can I meet with Wolfson & Leon in Hialeah without going to an office?
Yes. If you were hit by a car in Hialeah and cannot travel, Wolfson & Leon will come to you. The firm meets clients at home, at Hialeah Hospital, or at Palmetto General Hospital. Alfie Leon works directly with Hialeah clients and consults in Spanish. The office is located at 1840 W 49th St #734, Hialeah, but you do not need to go there. Call 305-965-3766, a live person answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The consultation is free, creates no obligation, and can happen wherever you are.
How long do I have to decide whether to hire an attorney after a Hialeah pedestrian accident?
For injuries that occurred on or after March 24, 2023, Florida Statute § 95.11 gives you two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in court. That is the legal deadline, but waiting that long hurts your case. Surveillance footage from nearby businesses can be recorded over quickly. Witnesses move or forget details. Skid marks wash away after rain. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the stronger your evidence will be. Wrongful death claims have a different deadline, ask about that during your consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Do I owe anything if Wolfson & Leon takes my Hialeah pedestrian case and loses?
No. If there is no recovery, you owe no attorney fee. Whether advanced case costs are owed if there is no recovery is set out in the written agreement, so review it before you sign.
I was hit by a car in Hialeah as a pedestrian and the driver had no insurance. Is there still any point in calling a lawyer?
Yes. Your own auto insurance may include uninsured motorist coverage that can pay for your injuries. Learn more in our guide on options after a hit by an uninsured driver in Miami-Dade.
Can I get a consultation in Spanish, and do I have to go to the Wolfson & Leon office?
Yes, consultations are available in Spanish with attorney Alfie Leon. You do not need to visit the office, meetings can happen at your home or hospital.
The insurance company offered me a settlement right away. Should I take it before I talk to a lawyer?
Do not accept any offer before speaking with a lawyer. Early offers are often far below what your claim is worth, especially if you have ongoing medical needs or lost wages. Read more about recorded statements and early settlements.
Does my pain and suffering count in a Florida pedestrian accident claim?
Yes, but only if your injury meets Florida’s threshold: permanent injury, significant scarring, or permanent loss of a bodily function. A doctor must document this. Learn how this applies to pedestrian accident claims.
Hurt in an accident in Hialeah? Call Wolfson & Leon at 305-965-3766 for a free consultation. We speak Spanish, and there is no fee unless we win.
Key facts
- A pedestrian injured in Hialeah on or after March 24, 2023 has two years from the date of the crash to file a personal injury lawsuit in Florida court. Source: Fla. Stat. § 95.11
- Wolfson & Leon advances case costs, filing fees, records, expert fees, while the case is open; those costs are reimbursed from the recovery, not billed to the client during the case. Source: Wolfson & Leon
- The contingency fee percentage and the client's rights are required to be set out in writing before representation begins; Florida regulates the form and content of personal injury contingency agreements. Source: Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 4-1.5(f)(4)
- If the firm does not recover money for you, you owe no attorney fee, the firm absorbs that loss, not the client. Source: Wolfson & Leon
- Alfie Leon at Wolfson & Leon serves Hialeah clients and consults in Spanish; the office at 1840 W 49th St #734, Hialeah can be reached at 305-965-3766, answered by a live person 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Source: Wolfson & Leon
Frequently asked questions
Do I owe anything if Wolfson & Leon takes my Hialeah pedestrian case and loses?
No attorney fee is owed if there is no recovery. The contingency model means the firm is only paid when you are paid. Before signing, ask specifically whether you are responsible for any case costs the firm advanced if the case does not result in a recovery, that is a separate question from the attorney fee, and you deserve a clear written answer before you sign.
I was hit by a car in Hialeah as a pedestrian and the driver had no insurance. Is there still any point in calling a lawyer?
Yes. An uninsured at-fault driver does not end your claim. Under Fla. Stat. § 627.727, uninsured motorist coverage on any household auto policy, yours or a relative's who lives with you, can pay for your injuries when the driver who hit you has no or insufficient bodily injury coverage. A lawyer can identify every policy in the household and pursue every available source of recovery.
Can I get a consultation in Spanish, and do I have to go to the Wolfson & Leon office?
You do not have to go to the office. Alfie Leon works with Hialeah clients and consults in Spanish. The firm meets clients at home, at Hialeah Hospital, or at Palmetto General if you are hospitalized or unable to travel. Call 305-965-3766 any time, a live person answers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
The insurance company offered me a settlement right away. Should I take it before I talk to a lawyer?
Do not sign a release or accept a settlement before speaking with an attorney. Quick settlement offers arrive before the full extent of your injuries is known, and signing releases your legal rights permanently. The consultation at Wolfson & Leon is free, creates no obligation, and costs you nothing, so there is no financial reason to skip it before deciding.
Does my pain and suffering count in a Florida pedestrian accident claim?
Pain and suffering damages from the at-fault driver require a permanent injury, significant scarring, or permanent loss of a bodily function under Fla. Stat. § 627.737(2). This threshold matters most in pedestrian cases, where injuries are often severe. An attorney can evaluate your medical records and tell you whether your injuries meet the standard before any settlement is discussed.
This article is general information about Florida law, not legal advice, and reading it does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different and past results do not guarantee a similar outcome. For advice about your situation, call Wolfson & Leon at 305-965-3766 for a free consultation.
Also available in: Versión en español
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents My Child Was Hit by a Car in Hialeah: What Parents Must Do First
Get your child to a doctor or emergency room the same day, Florida's PIP law cuts off all medical benefits if initial treatment does not happen…
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents Mistakes That Cost Pedestrians Money After Being Hit by a Car in Hialeah
The mistakes that cost pedestrians the most money after a crash are not the dramatic ones, they are quiet errors made in the first hours and days:…
Pedestrian and bicycle accidents As a Pedestrian Hit by a Car in Florida, Which Insurance Pays for What?
When a car hits you on foot in Florida, the first insurance that pays is usually your own PIP, or a household relative's PIP, regardless of who…