Who Edgar Snyder & Associates Is and What They Do
Edgar Snyder & Associates is a personal injury law firm based in Pennsylvania that handles car accident cases, truck accident cases, and other injury claims. The firm operates in multiple states and advertises heavily on television and online. They work on contingency, meaning you pay no upfront fee and they collect a percentage of any settlement or verdict they win for you.
The firm was founded by Edgar Snyder in the 1980s and has grown to include multiple attorneys and offices. Their primary focus is motor vehicle accidents, though they also handle some premises liability and product liability cases. Like most large personal injury firms, they handle high volume — which affects how your case gets attention and how decisions get made.
Key Takeaways
- Edgar Snyder & Associates works on contingency, so you pay nothing unless they win money for you, but they take a percentage of what you receive.
- The firm handles mostly car and truck accidents and operates across multiple states, but high case volume means your file may be handled by junior staff or paralegals for much of the process.
- You should understand their fee structure in writing before signing anything, including what percentage they take and what costs come out of your recovery.
- Getting a second opinion from another personal injury attorney costs nothing and can help you understand whether this firm's approach matches your situation.
- Large advertising budgets and brand recognition do not may provide better outcomes than smaller, local firms with deeper relationships in your court system.
How Their Contingency Fee Model Works
When you hire Edgar Snyder & Associates, you sign a contingency fee agreement that spells out what percentage of your recovery they keep. This percentage typically ranges from 25% to 40% depending on the stage at which your case settles or goes to trial — cases that settle early cost you less in attorney fees than cases that require a lawsuit and trial. You should ask for this agreement in writing before you meet with anyone, and you should read it carefully or have another attorney review it.
Beyond the attorney fee percentage, the firm also deducts case costs from your recovery. These costs include filing fees, informed witness fees, medical record requests, court reporter fees, and investigation expenses. Some firms bundle these differently — some charge them back to you regardless of outcome, others deduct them only from your recovery. The agreement should specify this clearly. If it does not, ask for clarification in writing before you sign.
What Happens When You Hire Them
After you sign a representation agreement, a paralegal or junior attorney will typically handle the initial intake and investigation. Your case file gets assigned to an attorney, but that attorney may not be the person you spoke with during your initial consultation. Large firms divide work this way to manage volume, which means your case moves through the system efficiently but you may not have continuity with a single attorney.
The firm will request your medical records, police reports, and insurance information. They will likely contact the at-fault driver's insurance company to begin settlement discussions. If the insurance company offers a low settlement, the firm decides whether to file a lawsuit. This is a critical decision point — some firms file suit quickly to pressure insurers, others try to settle without litigation. You should understand their strategy for your specific case before they make this choice.
Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Before you commit to representation, get answers to these questions in writing or documented in an email:
- What is the exact percentage fee at each stage (pre-settlement, post-lawsuit filing, post-trial)?
- What costs will be deducted from my recovery, and what happens if we lose — do I owe those costs?
- Who will be my primary contact, and how often will I hear updates on my case?
- What is their typical timeline from hire to settlement or trial in cases like mine?
- If they recommend rejecting a settlement offer, what is their reasoning?
- Can I fire them and hire another attorney if I become unhappy, and what happens to the file?
Do not sign anything until you have clear answers. A firm that rushes you or refuses to put terms in writing is a red flag.
Comparing Edgar Snyder to Other Options
Large, heavily advertised firms like Edgar Snyder & Associates have advantages and disadvantages compared to smaller personal injury practices. The advantage is resources — they have staff, investigators, and relationships with medical experts. The disadvantage is that your case is one of hundreds or thousands, so you get less individual attention and less flexibility in strategy.
A smaller local firm may know the judges and court staff in your area better, may be more willing to take your case to trial if settlement is low, and may give you more direct access to the attorney handling your file. However, a smaller firm may have fewer resources for complex cases or cases involving serious injuries that require informed testimony.
The best choice depends on your injury, the strength of liability, and whether you want a firm that will fight hard at trial or one that prioritizes quick settlement. Getting consultations from two or three firms — including Edgar Snyder and at least one smaller local practice — costs you nothing and gives you real information to compare.
Red Flags and What They Mean
Watch for these warning signs when evaluating any personal injury firm, including Edgar Snyder & Associates:
- Pressure to sign when ready or refusal to provide the fee agreement before you sign.
- Vague answers about who will handle your case or how often you will hear updates.
- A fee percentage that is significantly higher than what other firms quote you for similar cases.
- Unwillingness to explain their settlement strategy or reasoning for rejecting offers.
- No clear process for you to ask questions or raise concerns about how your case is being handled.
Large firm size and television advertising do not protect you from poor representation. Ask the same hard questions of Edgar Snyder & Associates that you would ask of any firm.
What Happens If You Are Unhappy
If you hire Edgar Snyder & Associates and later decide you want different representation, you have the right to fire them. You will need to send a written termination letter, and the firm must turn over your file to your new attorney. Your new attorney can then take over the case, though there may be a gap in activity while the transition happens.
The fee dispute becomes more complex if you fire them before the case ends. If they did significant work but you leave before settlement, you may owe them a portion of the fee based on the value of work completed. This is why the fee agreement should specify what happens in this scenario. If you believe the firm has acted unethically or negligently, you can file a complaint with the Pennsylvania Bar Association or the bar association in whatever state you are in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to use Edgar Snyder just because they contacted me first?
No. You can hire any attorney you want, or no attorney at all. You are not obligated to use the first firm that reaches out to you. Getting multiple consultations is normal and expected, and it costs you nothing.
What if Edgar Snyder wants to settle for less than I think my case is worth?
You have the final say on whether to accept a settlement. Your attorney can recommend accepting or rejecting an offer, but you make the decision. If you disagree with their recommendation, ask them to explain their reasoning in detail. If you still disagree, you can fire them and hire a different attorney, though this may delay your case.
How long does a case typically take with a firm like this?
straightforward car accident cases with clear liability and minor injuries may settle in three to six months. Cases with serious injuries, disputed liability, or uncooperative insurance companies can take one to three years or longer if they go to trial. Ask the firm for a realistic timeline based on your specific facts.
What if the insurance company's offer seems fair to me but the firm wants to file suit?
You can accept the offer even if your attorney recommends filing suit. However, understand their reasoning first — they may see issues with the offer that are not obvious to you. If you accept an offer against their information, get that decision in writing so there is no dispute later about who decided.
Can I negotiate the fee percentage before I sign?
Yes. Fee percentages are often negotiable, especially if your case is straightforward or if you have multiple firms interested in representing you. Do not assume the first percentage they quote is final.