Do You Get Reimbursed for Travel Expenses to Testify at an Injury Trial
My question involves an injury that occurred in the state of: Virginia
I live in New York. I was driving in Virginia and caused a trivial rear-end accident while stuck in an expressway traffic jam. The other driver was, of course, "injured". My insurance company has adopted a policy of fighting these phony lawsuits and it looks like there's actually going to be a trial in July. Our insurance company's lawyer said that I have to appear and testify but that I am responsible for all expenses that I incur getting to and from the trial. This doesn't seem right to me. Is it?
Thanks
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
Yes, it is your obligation and no you are not getting reimbursed.
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
Out of curiosity. If a witness was subpoenaed. Would they be responsible for travel expenses?
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
Depends on who does the subpoena. If the DA (as in a criminal case), it is not unusual that travel and, hotel expenses would be paid. We did this when I did volunteer work in Victims Assistance and witnesses were no longer living locally.
Gail
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
The rules are different for criminal cases and civil cases and also what sort of testimony you are given. Expert witnesses, for example, who are not employees of the government always tend be paid by the party who wants to the to testify. Government employees (in their official capacity) are usually paid by their employer. There's nobody whose going to reimburse a PARTY in the civil case for his appearance.
Re: Travel Expenses to Testify at Injury Trial
flyingron, that is what I thought. Thank you for the clarification.