The cost of filing a personal injury lawsuit is a common concern after an accident. Many California personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which generally means you do not pay attorney fees up front. However, a lawsuit can involve filing fees and other expenses that are separate from attorney fees.
Understanding these costs and how they are paid can help you know what to expect before filing a personal injury lawsuit in California. Here is what you should know.
Do I Have To Pay a Personal Injury Lawyer Up Front?
Many California personal injury lawyers handle cases on a contingency fee basis. The lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of the compensation recovered through a settlement or verdict rather than charging an hourly attorney fee.
A contingency fee arrangement generally means:
- You do not pay attorney fees up front
- The lawyer receives an agreed-upon percentage of your recovery
- The fee is paid from a settlement or verdict
- The written agreement explains how the fee is calculated
A contingency fee generally covers the attorney’s fee, not every cost of pursuing the lawsuit. Court filing fees, expert witness fees, deposition costs, and other expenses may be handled separately under a written fee agreement.
How Much Does It Cost To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in California?
California courts charge a filing fee to start a civil lawsuit. The amount depends in part on how much money you are seeking. California court filing fees generally range from about $225 to $450. Some counties charge additional fees, so the exact amount can depend on where the lawsuit is filed.
The plaintiff generally pays the filing fee when submitting the complaint and other required documents to the court.
What Other Costs Can a Personal Injury Lawsuit Involve?
The initial filing fee is only one potential expense. A personal injury lawsuit may involve additional costs as the case moves forward. Cases involving serious injuries or disputed facts may require more evidence and higher expenses.
Other costs may include:
- Fees to serve defendants
- Court reporter and transcript fees
- Deposition costs
- Medical record fees
- Expert witness fees
- Investigation expenses
- Costs for exhibits and trial materials
The total cost can vary significantly from one case to another. A case that settles early may involve fewer expenses, while a case involving several experts, depositions, or a trial may cost much more.
These expenses may be separate from the attorney’s contingency fee. A law firm may advance some or all of the costs and deduct them from a settlement or verdict, while other firms may require clients to pay certain expenses as they arise.
The fee agreement should explain how case costs are paid and whether the client is responsible for any expenses if there is no recovery. Talk to a lawyer about any concerns you may have with covering related fees and costs.
How Can a California Personal Injury Lawyer Help?
A personal injury lawyer can evaluate your claim, explain the costs involved, and determine whether filing a lawsuit is appropriate. A lawyer can also help you:
- Investigate the accident
- Gather evidence to support your claim
- Calculate your damages
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File a lawsuit when necessary
- Pursue compensation for your injuries and other losses
Many firms offer contingency fee arrangements that allow injured people to pursue a claim without paying attorney fees up front. The fee agreement should explain how the firm handles both attorney fees and case expenses.
Talk to your lawyer and ask questions if you have concerns about paying for a personal injury lawsuit after an accident.
Contact Mercado Kramer To Schedule a Free Consultation With a California Personal Injury Attorney
The cost of a personal injury lawsuit in California should not keep you from finding out whether you have a valid claim. Filing fees and other case expenses can vary, and the way those costs are handled depends on the fee agreement with your attorney.
If you were injured in an accident, contact Mercado Kramer to schedule a free consultation with a California personal injury lawyer.
For more information, please contact our experienced California personal injury attorneys at Mercado Kramer, for a free consultation. We have offices in Salinas and San Jose, CA, and we serve throughout Monterey County.
Mercado Kramer.
450 Lincoln Ave Ste. 102, Salinas, CA 93901
(888) 311 4050
