If you or a family member got hurt in a truck accident, you might want to hire legal representation to help with your claim. If you wonder how much it will cost to hire a truck accident lawyer, you might be pleasantly surprised. In most cases, you do not have to pay a lawyer upfront to start working on your truck accident case.
Truck accident lawyers will usually agree to handle your claim with a contingency fee agreement. The American Bar Association (ABA) explains how this arrangement means that a lawyer will typically start work on your case for free. In return, the lawyer will collect a percentage of your final settlement as their fee. If you lose, you do not have to pay any attorney’s fees for any work or time spent on your case.
Not All Contingency Agreements Are Alike
You will want to ask questions about the contingency agreement before agreeing to hire a lawyer, as not all attorneys craft them the same way or charge the same percentage. A contingency fee can range between 25 percent to 40 percent of a final award.
Also, consider that you might be on the hook for miscellaneous court costs and fees. Fees that you might have to pay out of your pocket can include court filing costs that could amount to several hundred dollars, as well as costs to reproduce any documents required for your claim.
Miscellaneous costs associated with a lawsuit can mount quickly. Be sure to ask your attorney exactly what you will be responsible for paying. They could provide you with an estimate of any out-of-pocket costs. Some lawyers pay for these costs upfront, then deduct them from your settlement. Whether they get reimbursed before calculating their attorney’s fee or afterward could significantly affect your award.
Either way, even if you lose your case, you will most likely have to pay for these court expenses.
Choosing a Truck Accident Lawyer
When it comes to hiring a lawyer for your truck accident claim, the fee structure should not be your only consideration. Truck accident claims can become complicated and multi-faceted. They also typically require more specialized legal knowledge than car accidents. Hiring a truck accident lawyer with an established track record in this specific field could help you immensely.
If you seek legal recourse after an accident with a commercial truck, you might have difficulty determining who exactly to hold responsible. While the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) determined that many truck accidents happen due to driver error, others could potentially have liability for your accident, including:
- The trucking company
- The truck owner
- The truck manufacturer
- The company owning or loading the cargo
- The company servicing the trucks
A truck accident lawyer could throw light on complicated liability issues after investigating and analyzing your case. When deciding on which truck accident lawyer to hire, make sure to ask them about any previous cases they litigated and the outcomes.
What a Truck Accident Lawyer Can Do for You
Truck accidents typically do not progress as straightforwardly as car accidents. You might find it next to impossible to unravel the knotty problems that could crop up pursuing a truck accident claim on your own. In helping you fight for justice and compensation, a truck accident lawyer could help in several ways:
- Providing legal advice and assistance
- Gathering evidence to prove negligence
- Hiring competent expert witnesses
- Building your case against the at-fault party
- Calculating and demonstrating your damages
- Negotiating with insurance companies
- Representing you in court
If you and your lawyer can prove the other parties’ negligence, you could recover an award that takes care of your current and future needs. While every truck accident claim is different, compensation could cover your medical costs, lost income, physical and emotional pain and suffering, and other damages.
Most of all, having a truck accident lawyer by your side can give you peace of mind, knowing that you have someone working on your behalf and fighting for your best interests.
Pintas & Mullins Law Firm Can Fight for Your Rights
After a truck accident, you will not want to let the at-fault driver or company get away with causing you or your family harm. If you or a loved one suffered severe long-term injuries due to a driver’s negligence or a company cutting corners, you could hold them responsible. While holding the responsible party accountable cannot turn back time, they can make you whole again financially and pay for your damages.
Hiring a truck accident lawyer can help you fight for your rights and a fair settlement. Pintas & Mullins Law Firm does not charge any upfront attorney’s fees and works on contingency. If you have any questions about how much it will cost to hire a truck accident lawyer from our law firm, we will tell you everything you need to know honestly and upfront so that you can make an informed decision.
Call Pintas & Mullins Law Firm today at (800) 223-5115 for a free consultation with a team member.