Personal injury cases are civil cases that can be filed when one party is responsible, either through their direct actions or neglect, for another person's injuries. Common types of personal injury cases include car accidents, slip and fall, dog bite cases, and product liability cases. If you are looking to hire a personal injury lawyer for a personal injury case, there are a few important questions pertaining to the lawyer's fees that you should always ask during a consultation. Read on to learn more about the questions you should ask.
Can You Ask For the Other Party to Pay Lawyer's Fees?
One of the first questions you should ask a personal injury lawyer is whether they can request the other party to pay your lawyer's fees or whether you will be on the hook for the lawyer fees. In most civil cases, you are on the hook for your own legal fees. However, if the other party was acting egregiously, such as driving drunk when they injured you, your lawyer may be able to request the at-fault party pay your lawyer fees.
What Percentage of the Settlement Do You Take?
If you are responsible for your own legal fees, ask the personal injury lawyer what percentage of the settlement will they take. In most cases, a personal injury lawyer will take 30 to 40 percent of a settlement or award in legal fees.
What Other Fees Come Out of the Settlement?
Another important question to ask is what other fees come out of the settlement. Many people do not realize that your personal injury lawyer may take more than just a percentage of your settlement as a legal fee. They can also charge for things such as depositions and experts. They can then take those fees out of your settlement as well. Always ensure you know what charges you are responsible for and what fees will be coming out of the settlement or final award.
What Happens If You Do Not Win the Case?
Lastly, always ask what happens if the lawyer does not with the personal injury case. In some cases, you do not pay your lawyer anything if they do not win. In other cases, lawyers may charge a flat fee if they do not win the case or recover less than the cost of their fees. Always ensure you know what happens if the case goes nowhere so you are not on the hook for legal fees.
Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, meaning they take a percentage of your settlement, rather than charging you by the hour for their services. However, you always want to ensure that you know exactly how much you will pay the attorney and what happens if they do not win the case. Asking the above questions helps you to understand more about the fees a specific personal injury lawyer may charge you to take on your case.
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Share27 February 2023
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