If you’ve been involved in an accident in Michigan and have suffered injuries, you may be wondering how much it would cost to hire a personal injury lawyer. While the cost of hiring a lawyer may seem intimidating, it’s important to remember that hiring the right personal injury lawyer can make all the difference in your case. In this article, we’ll break down the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Michigan and explain how payment works.
Table of Contents
Contingency Fee Agreement
Most personal injury lawyers in Michigan work on a contingency fee basis. This means that they only get paid if they win your case. The lawyer’s fee is contingent on the success of your case. If you don’t win, you won’t owe the lawyer any money.
Typically, the contingency fee is a percentage of your settlement or court award. In Michigan, the standard contingency fee is one-third of the total settlement or court award. However, some lawyers may charge a slightly higher or lower percentage depending on the complexity of your case.
Out-of-Pocket Expenses
While your personal injury lawyer may work on a contingency fee basis, you may still be responsible for paying certain out-of-pocket expenses. These expenses may include:
- Medical records fees
- Expert witness fees
- Court filing fees
- Investigative fees
- Postage and delivery fees
Most of the time, these expenses will be subtracted from your settlement or court award after your case is resolved. However, it’s important to discuss any out-of-pocket expenses with your lawyer beforehand.
Payment Methods
If your personal injury lawyer works on a contingency fee basis, they will typically deduct their fee from your settlement or court award. This means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront or out of your own pocket. If your lawyer doesn’t win your case, you won’t have to pay anything at all.
In some cases, your lawyer may ask for a retainer fee. This is a fee that is paid upfront and is used to cover your lawyer’s out-of-pocket expenses. The retainer fee is usually deducted from your final settlement or court award.
Hourly Fee Agreements
While most personal injury lawyers in Michigan work on a contingency fee basis, some may work on an hourly fee agreement. This means that you’ll have to pay your lawyer an hourly fee for their time. Hourly rates for personal injury lawyers in Michigan can vary from $150 to $500 per hour.
If your lawyer works on an hourly fee agreement, you’ll typically have to pay a retainer fee upfront. This fee will be used to cover your lawyer’s initial work on your case. Any additional fees will be billed to you on a monthly basis.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer in Michigan can vary depending on the complexity of your case and the fee agreement you have with your lawyer. Most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, which means that you won’t have to pay anything upfront or out of your own pocket. If your lawyer wins your case, they will deduct their fee from your settlement or court award. If you’re unsure about the cost of hiring a personal injury lawyer, it’s important to schedule a consultation to discuss your case and fee agreement options.