How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
If you or your loved ones have suffered a personal injury
due to someone else’s negligence, hiring a personal injury lawyer can help you
get compensated for your losses. However, the cost of hiring a personal injury
lawyer is a contentious issue for many clients. In this article, we will
explore the factors that affect a personal injury lawyer’s overall cost and
answer some frequently asked questions to help you make an informed decision.
How Much Does a Personal Injury Lawyer Cost?
- Court
Costs Apart from attorney fees, you may have to pay court costs for filing
a personal injury claim case. These costs vary from state to state, but
you can expect to pay between $100 and $400 for filing a case.
Additionally, if your case goes for a jury trial, you need to pay the jury
members’ daily stipend too. The $400 filing fee also includes the cost of
serving the summons to the defendant. If you need a copy of the in-court
transcript, you should pay $2 to $4 to the court reporter.
- Expert
Witness Cost Expert witnesses are professionals who study the case
thoroughly, prepare a report, and testify in your favor in court. They
charge an hourly fee, which may be hundreds of dollars based on their
knowledge and experience. The cost of bringing in an expert witness is
typically around $356 per hour. When your case goes for a jury trial, you
cannot avoid the need for an expert witness. In a medical injury case, an
expert’s advice can prove vital to the case outcome.
- Administrative
Expenses Every case includes administrative expenses for postage,
research, and producing some documents supporting your claim, which is
usually less than $100.
- Deposition
Cost It is the cost of the testimony record that the stenographer makes,
and it is a non-trial record. It usually does not exceed $500.
- Investigation
and Information Gathering Cost It is another component of your attorney
bill. You need medical records and police reports to prove your case. You
may either get them for free or pay a minor amount. If your case requires
private investigators, you need to pay a significant amount for it, which
is around $50 to $75.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What
is a sliding scale? A sliding scale is a fee arrangement where your
personal injury attorney negotiates with your insurer to come up with an
amicable settlement. You need to pay only 25% of the settlement amount in
such cases. However, if you want to file a case, the fee is 33.3% of the
amount, as it includes several costs, including court fees.
- Who
receives the settlement check? Your lawyer receives the settlement check.
He settles any unpaid amount to your insurer before cutting off 33.3% of
the settlement amount. After deducting his fees, he will pay the remaining
amount to you.
Conclusion
Personal injury lawyer fees and costs are a critical
consideration when filing a claim. The above write-up gives you a comprehensive
understanding of how much a personal injury lawyer costs and the factors that
affect the overall cost. You can avoid confusion regarding the personal injury
bill you pay to your attorney by putting everything in writing and reviewing it
carefully. With a clear understanding of the costs and fees involved, you can
make an informed decision about hiring a personal injury lawyer to fight for
your rights.