Suffering an injury due to someone else’s negligence can be quite distressing, and in many cases, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. However, navigating through the legal process of a personal injury claim alone can be daunting, which is why many individuals opt to hire a personal injury lawyer in Tampa, FL. The question you may be wondering now is, how much does hiring a personal injury attorney cost? Let’s take a look!
Consultation Fees – Most personal injury lawyers offer a free initial consultation to potential clients. This is when they assess your case and determine if they can take it on. If they agree to take your case, they will usually ask for a contingency fee which is a percentage of your settlement or trial verdict. This means that you will only pay them if you win your case.
Case Expenses – When your case is in progress, there will likely be expenses that your personal injury lawyer will need to cover. These may include court filing fees, medical record requests, and expert witness fees. Some lawyers will cover these expenses upfront and deduct them from the settlement or trial verdict, while others may ask for payment upfront.
Settlement Advancements – Sometimes, your personal injury lawyer may ask for a settlement advancement, also known as a lawsuit loan. This is when the lawyer secures financing from a third-party lender to cover expenses related to the case, such as experts’ fees and court costs. The advancement is then repaid from the settlement or trial verdict.
At the end of the day, the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer varies, but it is typically a contingency fee of 33% to 40% of your settlement or trial verdict. Remember, it is essential to find a lawyer you’re comfortable working with and who has proven experience handling personal injury cases like yours.