Personal Injury Lawyer
If someone has harmed you, drafting a personal injury attorney is the smartest move possible. Having a professional in your corner helps in many ways, including making sure you file before the statute of limitations runs out. Expert legal assistance is never free. Therefore, you may be worried about how much it costs. The following explains how you’ll be charged for services related to your lawsuit.
A personal injury lawyer such as Daniel E. Stuart at Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. can help you understand the value of retaining a personal injury lawyer.
Contingency Fees
Most personal injury lawyers work on what’s known as a contingency basis. Under these agreements, legal representatives are paid only after you’ve triumphed, either by winning your lawsuit at trial or settling out of court. Should either of these outcomes fail to happen, you’ll owe your attorney nothing. This payment structure assures that you’ll never be charged fees that outstrip the amount you stand to gain. It also acts as an incentive for lawyers to work hard and only accept cases with a decent chance of emerging victorious.
The amount your attorney charges typically depends on whether you see the inside of a courtroom. When situations are resolved in mediation, personal injury attorneys normally receive a third of the awarded amount. Lawyers who argue for their clients before a judge are normally paid 40%. This amount isn’t set in stone, so shop around before settling on a particular representative.
Additional Fees
Besides paying for your attorney’s time, you are expected to cover other expenses related to your legal battle. These may include, but are not limited to:
- Filing charges
- Expert witnesses
- Document access
- Court reporters
- Trial presentations
Some lawyers send bills relating to these matters monthly. Others save these expenses until your situation has been resolved. Make certain you understand how you’ll be charged before you sign a contract with someone. The total amount you’ll be billed depends on various factors, such as how long the case takes to reach its conclusion. Another variable is whether there’ll be a deposition. If so, you’ll likely need to pay for a court reporter to attend.
Overall, expect anywhere between 10% and 15% on top of the contingency fee to be deducted from what you’re awarded. If you’re concerned about your ability to fulfill supplementary court costs, talk with your legal ally beforehand. Personal injury professionals often have ideas on how to reduce these amounts.
Your odds of winning a personal injury lawsuit increase when you have a legal eagle fighting for your interests. Talk with your representative about compensation before filing a lawsuit.