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Accidents involving semis and other large trucks are devastating to all parties involved. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2021 there were 5,601 fatalities in accidents involving large trucks and thousands more suffered severe injuries.
Survivors of truck accidents are often faced with expensive medical bills, lost income, and vehicle repairs. The financial burden after a truck accident can be overwhelming. The last thing truck accident victims want to worry about is having to cover the costs of attorney’s fees.
At Judd Shaw Injury Law, we understand how stressful the days and weeks following a truck accident can be. We do not charge any upfront costs or fees for our legal services. Our lawyers are upfront and transparent about our fee structure, allowing you to make an informed decision about whether it is in your best interests to hire us.
Call us 24/7 at 732-888-8888 or complete the contact form to schedule a free review of your truck accident case.
What Does “Contingency Fee” Mean?
A lawyer may bill for legal services by charging a flat rate fee, an hourly fee, or a contingency fee. Most personal injury lawyers accept cases on a contingency fee basis.
What is a contingency fee? This means that your lawyer will not require a retainer fee or any other upfront payment to represent you. Payment for your lawyer’s services is contingent on him or her recovering compensation for you.
If your lawyer does not recover any compensation for you, then you do not pay any fees. If your case is successful and you are awarded damages, your lawyer will take a percentage of the amount that you awarded.
What is the Contingency Fee for Truck Accident Cases?
You and your truck accident lawyer will agree to the percentage of the contingency fee before you hire him or her to represent you. Personal injury lawyers usually charge around 33-40 percent of the awarded settlement. Truck accident cases that are relatively straightforward may have a lower contingency fee percentage, around 20-25 percent.
The percentage rate may be affected by the following factors:
- The complexity of your case
- The expected amount of time the case will take
- The lawyer’s previous experience and skills
- The number of parties involved in the case
- The geographic area where the personal injury law firm is located
After your truck accident case is settled either through the insurance company or by a jury verdict, your attorney will deduct the agreed-upon fee before giving you the remaining compensation amount.
At Judd Shaw Injury Law, we know that a good attorney-client relationship is based on trust. We are open and honest with our clients about what the contingency fee will be before having you sign paperwork to hire us.
Additional Expenses Incurred in Truck Accident Cases
In addition to lawyer’s fees, there may be other expenses incurred while building your truck accident case. The law firm representing you will usually take on these costs until your case is settled.
Additional costs associated with truck accident cases may include:
- Court and filing fees: It typically costs a few hundred dollars to file a complaint in federal court.
- Expert witnesses: Accident reconstructions, medical professionals, and other experts can be beneficial but costly. An expert witness may charge a few thousand dollars to investigate your case, prepare a report, and testify in court.
- Court reporter: A court reporter is needed for a deposition and may cost $1000 or more, depending on the number of depositions required.
- Gathering evidence: Obtaining copies of public documents, medical records, and other evidence can cost several hundred dollars or more.
Typically, these expenses will be deducted from your settlement or award. You will want to ask your lawyer whether additional fees will be deducted before or after the contingency fee percentage is taken out. This could make a significant difference in how much you and your lawyer are ultimately paid.
Is It Worth It to Hire an Attorney to Handle Your Truck Accident Case?
Truck accident victims have the legal right to file their own insurance claims and represent themselves. However, taking care of your own legal case is not recommended. While it may not be financially detrimental to represent yourself in a minor car accident, truck accidents are a different story.
For one thing, injuries sustained in truck accidents are often catastrophic. Victims may incur tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills or even require a lifetime of medical care. The amount the insurance company offers to pay may not even cover your current medical bills, let alone your lost wages and pain and suffering.
Your lawyer will be able to determine what damages you qualify for and accurately calculate the value of your claim. Most lawyers are skilled negotiators and know how to secure maximum compensation for their clients.
Another reason to hire a lawyer if you were injured in a truck accident is simple: There could be more than one party liable for damages, which easily complicates a case. The driver, trucking company, loading company, and others may all have contributed to the accident. Your lawyer can identify all liable parties and pursue all avenues of compensation.
These are just some of the many benefits of hiring a truck accident lawyer. Having an attorney on your side can take a huge burden off of your shoulders while you focus on what matters most – your recovery.
Types of Damages a Truck Accident Lawyer Could Help You Recover
If you were injured in a truck accident, you should not have to bear the financial cost of someone else’s negligence. A personal injury attorney can fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Damages that a truck accident attorney can help you recover compensation for may include:
- Medical expenses: Past, present, and future medical costs
- Lost income: Compensation for wages lost as a result of your injuries
- Property damage: Money to repair or replace your vehicle
- Pain and suffering: Damages for the mental pain and emotional anguish endured due to the accident
- Wrongful death: Compensation for burial expenses, funeral costs, loss of support, loss of inheritance, and more
Schedule a Free Case Review With a Truck Accident Lawyer Today
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in a truck accident, a member of our law firm would be glad to review your case at absolutely no cost to you. We will ensure you understand what it would cost to retain our legal services and explain what damages we can potentially negotiate for you.
The price of hiring a truck accident lawyer should not prevent you from receiving the legal guidance and monetary compensation you need. Our law firm will represent you on a contingency fee basis, so you do not have to wait until you are financially stable to file a claim or lawsuit against the negligent truck driver.
We strive to be a knight in shining armor for all of our clients – it is the Judd Shaw Way. Call us at 732-888-8888 any time of the day or night to get started on your case.