The Traffic Accident Reconstruction Origin -ARnews-

Re: AR Fee Schedules

Wilt Nelson ([email protected])
Tue, 29 Dec 1998 11:49:35 -0500 (EST)

The fee schedule is totally dependent upon the same data that makes your testimony acceptable to the courts, education, work experience, knowledge of the subject and incidentals such as papers/articles published, full or part time occupation, previous court experience, active participation in technical organizations, e.g.; MATAI, SAE, etc. The fee is also dependent upon what you can deliver. How many computer recon programs do you have use? Can do you develop scale drawings? Is the photography, video and still, adequate descriptive with logs? Can you write an report that is indexed, easy to read and fileable? Are you responsive to the needs of your clients? Answer telephone calls the same day, do the perishable evidence documentation timely, provide the infomation and data the client wants promtly?
If you are just starting in the private sector the best way to develop business with insurance firms, lawyers, etc. is to begin with low fees ($25-$50/hour). As you prove yourself and your worth to the clients the fees can increase, moderately. Ask other reconstructionists (I assume you are a recon and not limited to investigations) at technical meetings what they are paid. That sort of question is no secret. It is asked at depositions and in court so it is part of a public record. When I retired after about 15 years on consulting work (preceded by many years of prepatory experience and education) my fee schedule was $200/hour. I thought that was at the high end of the spectrum but know persons who charge as much as $2,000/hr. You should develop a written contract form that spells out each detail to avoid later billing problems. This includes the expense items, photos/roll, travel time, telephone calls, retainers, cancellations, deposition fees that may be unpaid by opposing
attorneys, etc.
Wilt
Wilt Nelson
[email protected]

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