The Costs Of Your Personal Injury Lawsuit
Were you injured and need to file a personal injury lawsuit to receive compensation? If so, you may be concerned about what fees you will have to pay in order to go through this legal process. Here is what you can expect so that you are well prepared for the associated costs.
Contingency Fees
It is common for many injury lawyers to charge a contingency fee as part of your injury case. Thankfully, these fees are not paid unless you win the lawsuit. The contingency fee is typically a percentage of the overall settlement rather than an hourly charge, which ensures that your lawyer will not make more money than you do if you win in court. The contingency fee also rewards the lawyer for getting you more compensation, so it is in their best interest to fight on your behalf. Contingency fees make a lawyer accessible to those people who would otherwise not be able to afford one.
One thing to keep in mind is that the contingency fee will depend on the complexity of the case and how much work your lawyer needs to do. If they are able to settle the case in mediation, they will charge a low contingency fee for their services. However, if the case goes to trial, the contingency fee will likely be much higher. That is why it is in your best interest to accept a settlement rather than insist that your case goes to trial.
Court Costs
While your lawyer's fees are based on a contingency basis, there are additional costs that you will need to pay as part of filing a lawsuit. These include the filing fee, serving papers to the defendant for a court summons, and things of that nature. Find out how your lawyer will cover these costs so that there is no confusion.
Some lawyers will not require you to pay any money upfront for court-related costs to get your injury claim started. However, the way that those fees are handled later on can vary. Some lawyers simply cover the costs and require you to pay them at the end, no matter if you win or lose the case. Other lawyers will only charge you for those fees if they win the case and take them out of your settlement. Make sure you fully understand what your out-of-pocket liability is before hiring an injury lawyer.
To learn more, contact a personal injury attorney.