It shouldn’t cost you anything to hire a skilled truck accident attorney after a collision. A reputable lawyer would usually work for you on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer is only paid if your case is won and then that payment comes from the settlement check won for you.
Under a contingency contract, you shouldn’t have to pay anything out of your own savings, especially if your case is lost.
What Will My Truck Accident Lawyer Get Paid?
Most California truck accident lawyers work on a “contingency basis.” It means that clients don’t have to pay anything unless their lawyer wins the case. Upon securing a settlement or judgment in court for the victim, the lawyer would get around 33% of the award.
This fee and reimbursement for some investigative costs would come out of the settlement a truck driver’s insurance provider would have to provide.
Here are a few other things involved in a contingency agreement:
- The victim’s lawyer takes on the truck driver and the truck driver’s employer on behalf of the victim. The lawyer fights to secure the maximum compensation for victims and their families. This is done with no guarantee the lawyer will get paid for the work put into a case.
- The lawyer fronts the money to mount an investigation to secure evidence that will force an insurance company to accept responsibility for a reckless driver. This includes the cost of accident reconstruction. The fees to retrieve important documents and surveillance video. If needed, expert witnesses
- The contingency agreement would also cover the upfront cost of filing a lawsuit if necessary. A lawyer would handle the cost of building a strong case to take into court and all court fees. A trial usually wouldn’t be necessary because the vast majority of accident cases are settled out of court. Insurance companies want to avoid the cost and embarrassment of going to court. However, if a trucking company refused to offer everything the victim required for recovery, the client’s lawyer would be ready to file a lawsuit.
- If the case isn’t successful, the victim wouldn’t be charged anything. This is part of the security offered by a contingency agreement.
Why Do Lawyers Get a Portion of My Truck Accident Settlement?
Lawyers take a risk by investing their time and money into a contingency case. Cases can fail for reasons out of the lawyer’s control and the attorney can be left with nothing to show for their work and the money they’ve already invested in the case.
By taking a third of the settlement check, the lawyer can justify taking this risk. However, the goal is for the lawyer to earn victims much more in compensation than they could have earned handling the case themselves. This would be enough to cover the lawyer fee and provide the victim with much more in support.
Make Sure You Know What Your Lawyer Charges
You should never be left to wonder how your truck accident lawyer will be paid. Before you sign a contract and hire a lawyer, you should be fully aware of the cost. You shouldn’t be confused about any aspect of payment.
Only select an attorney willing to go over the fee and how it’s paid. Your attorney should be happy to answer any questions you have. If you still are confused afterward, it may be a sign that you need to look for a different attorney.
The Security of an Experienced California Truck Accident Lawyer
Trustworthy lawyers should tell you if they believe they can help you earn more or not. If your accident only involves car damage and/or very minor injuries, a lawyer probably can’t help improve your settlement award.
However, if your accident involves a more serious injury, like broken bones or a head injury, a lawyer may be able to get you far more than you could secure on your own.
Truck accidents can also involve large corporations like Amazon or Walmart. These companies have teams of lawyers ready to cast doubt on your case. You won’t want to fight these attorneys yourself. They won’t have any compassion for what you’ve been through. Maison Law has experience taking on these companies and their lawyers and making sure they are forced to do right by victims.
And if your case isn’t likely to be helped by a lawyer, a free case consultation can still direct you in the best direction to secure the most for your claim yourself. Maison Law can go over the tactics you may face and discuss how to hold an at-fault driver’s truck collision insurance provider fully liable.
Contact a California Big Rig Accident Lawyer
Speak with a skilled California truck accident lawyer after any collision caused by a careless truck driver that leaves you with a serious injury. It’s important to know about every benefit available to you and your family because an insurance adjuster won’t be informing you about all of your options.
Contact Maison Law for a free, no-obligation consultation. It’s a no-risk way to find out what your injury is worth and what you should demand from insurance providers and trucking companies.
