Most personal injury lawyers that specialize in truck accidents will be more than willing to provide you with a free initial consultation, and only charge you when the case is settled or won in court. If this is not the case (especially when it comes to an initial consultation at no cost), you may want to seek out other options to see which one is truly the best for you.
Either way, it is important to keep in mind that you will want to hire an attorney as soon as possible after the accident. This will help ensure that you are still within the statute of limitations and give you a better chance of settling without having to take it through a lengthy court process.
How do semi-truck lawyers charge their fees when taking on a case?
While each case is different, there are 3 different ways that law firms usually charge for services when handling truck accident lawsuits which have been listed for you below.
. Contingency Basis
This is by far the most popular method among lawyers who sue trucking companies as they understand how hard it already is for someone who has been in a semi-truck wreck. The medical bills lost income, and the emotional battle takes a toll by itself. This alone makes it harder to afford legal counsel, but with a contingency fee arrangement, this can make things a little bit easier.
Ultimately, you won’t have to pay your lawyer until either your case is won in court or a settlement has been reached for your truck accident. The amount that’s charged is a set percentage that is outlined in the initial agreement when you retain your lawyer.
· Flat Fee for Services
In situations where you might just need to consult with a personal injury attorney, a flat fee could be provided to give you the insight that you need. This is the most popular option embraced for those who are wanting to file their truck accident lawsuit themselves.
While this may seem to be a more affordable approach, you will be on your own when it comes to fighting your case in court. Most of the time, this is only to help you with the paperwork involved and to give you advice on how to pursue things as they progress during the case.
· Hourly Rate
Keep in mind that most of the time when your case can only be taken by an attorney on an hourly basis, it might mean that your case isn’t as solid as it should be to ensure a win. In these cases, a retainer may be charged upfront and you will be billed for each hour that your lawyer works on your case. This is something that requires an upfront investment and is a type of fee agreement no serious personal injury lawyer would be interested in.
Other Fees & Expenses Known to Arise in Truck Accident Lawsuits
Other than the fees that are charged by semi-truck accident lawyers, there are more that come into play when you file a truck accident lawsuit. These might usually be charged at the end of the case when you reach a settlement or verdict, but there are instances where your lawyer might require them to be paid at the time that they are incurred.
- Copies of documents needed for the case.
- Court reporter fees charged to record court sessions.
- Filing fees associated with filing the lawsuit.
- Expert witness fees needed to strengthen your case.
- Investigation fees that are needed for discovering the facts of the accident.
- Postage fees associated with mailing any items related to the case.
How much does an 18-wheeler accident lawyer get on a settlement?
When a settlement has been reached in a truck accident case, it tends to provide you with the opportunity to save on how much you will have to pay your attorney. You’re probably wondering, why would it provide the opportunity to pay a smaller percentage to your legal counsel?
The reason for this is that it saves time when it comes to the litigation process, as taking it to trial would take a lot more work and prolong the amount of time it takes to see any results. On average, an experienced personal injury lawyer will charge 33% of the amount anytime that a settlement has been reached without taking the case to trial.
Is an 18-wheeler accident lawyer truly a necessity or more of a luxury?
For those who find themselves in a truck accident that hasn’t ever had to deal with this kind of case before, things can seem rather overwhelming at first. It’s important to understand that hiring a truck accident attorney is critical when it comes to getting paid what you deserve.
The reason for this is:
- Injuries that occur in a truck accident are serious and shall not be taken lightly.
- Those who are at-fault might try whatever they can not be held liable.
- Trucking companies and others may try to reduce the amount that they have to pay out.
While it might seem tempting to accept the first offer that comes your way, this isn’t always the best offer that can be provided nor is it always a fair one. Hiring an experienced personal injury attorney who understands how to deal with truck drivers, trucking companies, and their insurance companies, is the only way to make sure that the outcome is one that is truly in your best interest.
If you try to represent yourself or accept a settlement on your own, it can be seen as a weakness that can be taken advantage of. You don’t want this to be the reality of the situation any time that you find yourself in a truck accident with expenses adding up that resulted from it.
Need an 18-wheeler accident attorney in Houston, TX?
If you have been in an accident involving a large truck or other types of commercial motor vehicles, call the office of award-winning attorney Jerome O. Fjeld at 713-572-6446. The initial consultation is free, and you won’t have to pay a dime until results are produced for your case.
