The thought of paying for a lawyer can make anyone feel hesitant to seek legal counsel, especially when the outcome of their case is unclear. Fortunately, most personal injury lawyers make it easy for clients to receive legal aid without having to worry about the cost.
Suppose you are in a position where you are seeking personal injury compensation. In that case, it’s wise to take the time to understand how personal injury attorney fees work. Doing so lets you hear what a lawyer has to say about your case.
Can I Afford a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Personal injury lawyers understand that their clients often come to them while dealing with the financial stress of an unexpected injury. Medical bills and lost wages are common challenges victims face following an accident, but most also face effects from their injury on other aspects of life.
A car accident, for instance, can spur the need for costly repairs or leave the victim without a vehicle altogether. Hospitalization or other long-term injury recovery can leave an individual unable to get their kids to school or get the grocery shopping done. This can incur additional expenses and plenty of stress.
Personal injury attorneys know that clients in dire need of their services likely won’t have the extra money to pay for legal services upfront. This remains true even if clients are eligible to recover substantial personal injury compensation. Personal injury attorneys make it easy to hire a lawyer without the worry of any immediate payments.
Understanding Personal Injury Lawyer Fees
Most personal injury lawyers work under the basis of contingency fee arrangement. These fees are typically paid directly from the compensation value they recover for their clients. Payment in such partnerships are determined by a percentage of the client’s winnings. The higher the compensation value, the more the lawyer is paid.
It’s common in contingency agreements for the client to not have to pay anything unless their lawyer is successful. However, the exact details of each arrangement vary by firm and case. Before you sign a contract, reviewing it with the lawyer and ensuring you clearly understand your financial obligations is a good idea.
Nevertheless, contingency agreements help clients afford legal services even when they don’t have the immediate funds available. This also means the attorney is unlikely to take on your case unless they fully believe they can win it.
Expenses to Expect During a Personal Injury Case
No two personal injury cases are identical. This makes it common for a case to involve a unique combination of expenses that are often calculated in addition to a lawyer’s fee.
Some firms will handle the costs for you, receiving reimbursement for them atop their lawyers’ fees when your compensation value is paid out. Other times, you might be expected to pay out-of-pocket costs when needed.
Common Costs In a Personal Injury Case
Some of the most common expenses accrued in a personal injury case involve the following aspects:
- Court
- Depositions
- Medical Witnesses
- Investigations
- Travel
The exact costs your case incurs will depend on factors like the type of case and the circumstances that led to your accident. A medical witness, for example, may only be necessary in a medical malpractice case.
The specifics of some costs are also determined by accident type. For example, some car accident cases require calling in an accident reconstruction specialist to testify as to why you couldn’t have been at fault.
Only some cases will involve all of these additional expenses, of course. However, it is always good to be aware of the possible costs of pursuing personal injury compensation.
Questions to Ask During a Free Consultation
When you prepare for a free consultation with a personal injury lawyer, you will likely have many questions about your case.
Some of the most common initial questions clients ask focus on their case value and how long it will take to receive compensation. But it’s also a good idea to prepare any questions you might have about the cost of hiring a lawyer.
Good questions to ask during a consultation include the following:
- What is your fee arrangement like?
- What percentage do you take for your contingency fee?
- Are there any upfront or out-of-pocket costs I should know about?
- Should my case go to court, are there additional fees to be aware of?
Most of the time, asking who will be financially responsible for additional expenses is also smart before signing a contract.
Is a Personal Injury Lawyer Worth the Cost?
One common question clients have concerns about is whether having a personal injury lawyer handle their case is worth the cost.
It’s important to understand that personal injury lawyers don’t just make the process easier for you by taking on tasks like communicating with the insurance company and completing paperwork. Personal injury lawyers also leverage their knowledge of personal injury law, working to build a solid argument and proving damages.
A skilled personal injury lawyer can make a substantial difference in the amount of money you win in a case. Until you attend a free consultation and hear what they have to say about your possible outcome, it’s hard to know what you stand to gain by hiring them.
Call Our Minneapolis Personal Injury Lawyers Today
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has been fighting for injured clients throughout Minneapolis for over 40 years. We’ve recovered over $90 million in settlements and court verdicts.
Our experienced personal injury attorneys can meet with you to discuss the details of your case and answer any questions you might have about the cost of our services. We can explain how our team can help recover the injury compensation you need. Call (800) 292-1979 today, or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Minneapolis personal injury attorney.
