Gadsden is a city with a rich history, and it is known for its scenic beauty and southern charm. It is home to attractions like Noccalula Falls Park and the Mary G. Hardin Center for Cultural Arts. While it’s a wonderful place to live and visit, accidents can happen anywhere, even in this picturesque city.

When you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, the prospect of a personal injury settlement can provide a glimmer of hope in a difficult situation. The hope of recovering your medical bills, lost earnings, and pain and suffering may seem like a light at the end of a long and difficult tunnel. However, not all the money from this settlement will end up in your pocket. A few costs will be deducted before you receive your final payment.

If you are going to consider making a personal injury claim, you should understand these deductions. With the right kind of expectations, you can now make the right decisions over the case and even make sure you get the maximum compensation. Of course you will need the assistance of an experienced personal injury lawyer for this.

When looking for a personal injury attorney in Gadsden, choose someone who is transparent about these costs. They can help you navigate the complexities of the settlement process.

In this blog post, we will talk about the numerous deductions that may be made from your personal injury settlement and how you can minimize their impact.

Attorney Fees

You usually do not pay them up front. In fact, most work is done on a contingency fee basis. This means they only get paid if you win your case.

Sounds great, right?

Well, it is – but it’s also where a significant portion of your settlement will go.

Most attorneys will take 33 to 40 percent of your settlement as their fee.

For example, if you just received a $100,000 settlement, the attorney would be entitled to approximately $33,000 to $40,000. This still seems high, but remember they have invested many of their hours and costs on your case, usually fronting costs such as court fees or expert witnesses.

Medical Liens

If you received medical treatment for your injuries, there are likely many unpaid bills in circulation. Chances are there that hospitals, doctors, and even your health insurance company have made claims on your settlement. That is, they’ve got valid claims to get paid back from your award.

Here’s a list of some of the things those bills reflect:

• Hospital charges
• Physician’s charges
• Physical therapy charges
• Prescription payments
• Medical appliances (crutches, wheelchairs)

All of these fees must be paid before you will be able to put any settlement funds in your own pocket. Often, your lawyer will be able to negotiate with all of these lien holders to accept less than the full amount owed, but they will have to be paid.

Court Costs

Appearing in court also costs money, and the following fees are also typically paid from your settlement. The following are court-related costs that will be deducted from your final settlement.

• Costs associated with filing your lawsuit
• Fee for taking depositions
• Charges for expert witnesses
• Expenses for travel
• Costs to pay for copies and postage

While these may not appear much individually, they can add up to a substantial amount. These are items that your attorney will keep track of throughout your case and will deduct from your ultimate settlement.

Debts Owed

There may be some situations where your settlement may owe creditors. This is especially true if you have the following:

• Overdue child support
• Back taxes
• Defaulted student loans

Those debts may have priority over your personal injury lawsuit, meaning they’ll be paid before you, and you’ll only receive whatever is left. You’ll certainly want to discuss any potential debts with an attorney.

Other Case-Related Expenses

There may be other potential costs for specific case elements. For example:

• If you file a suit against a business, you may incur a few fees to locate and deliver corporate records.
• In some cases of medical malpractice, there could be fees for the review of medical records.
• In car crashes, there could be a fee for the use of accident reconstruction experts.

Your attorney will explain any other charges that may apply to your case.

Maximizing Your Settlement

While you cannot avoid many of the costs associated with your personal injury case, there are a number of steps that you can take to maximize your settlement and ensure that you are getting the best compensation possible. Here are a few tips:

• Hire an experienced personal injury lawyer: You should always aim to hire a lawyer with a proven track record in winning personal injury lawsuits and one who will let you know what your case will cost you.
• Gather all necessary documentation: Collect all your medical records, bills, and other documents pertaining to your injury and its treatment. These can help the attorney prepare a case on your behalf with the least amount of research or investigation required.
• Be prepared to bargain: Your attorney may try to bargain with insurance carriers and healthcare providers over a lien or subrogation interest, attempting to reduce that interest as much as possible. Be prepared to provide input and support throughout the negotiation process.
• Understand the settlement process: Work together with your lawyer to understand the settlement process and get to know what to expect at each point. Where in doubt, queries should be made, and you should also prepare to make decisions based on information presented from events in your particular case.

Conclusion

Although the associated costs of a personal injury settlement may be large, realize that they are part of the process. The costs for this purpose may be high, but understanding this is crucial. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney could help you maximize your settlement and get the compensation you truly deserve.

Do not hesitate to get a lawyer if an accident has left you injured. Find an attorney who will be upfront about the expense of litigating your case and who has good experience in personal injury cases.

With that kind of legal support, you’ll find your way completely through the complex settlement process. A good legal team will walk you through the intricacies of the settlement process to help you focus on healing.