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How Much Do Lawyers Charge for Truck Accident Claims?

Lawyer Fees for Truck Accidents

After a truck crash, a victim can be overwhelmed by the complexity of a trucking accident claim. That’s why hiring a DC truck accident lawyer makes sense.

There is no set price a truck accident lawyer will charge for truck accident claims. In general, personal injury lawyers work based on contingency fees. As the victim, you pay nothing upfront; the lawyer will deduct their legal fees as a percentage of your settlement.

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What Do Lawyers Look for in a Truck Accident?

When a personal injury attorney is looking to get involved in a truck accident case, they will look for the following factors when deciding to take your case on.

  • How difficult the case is
  • How much time and resources will be needed for the case
  • How experienced the lawyer is in that type of truck accident claim
  • If the case is likely to go to trial

While these are not the only factors that a lawyer will look into, other factors may increase the lawyer’s fees.

Understanding Legal Fees For Truck Accident Claims

Part of understanding how much lawyers charge for truck accident and personal injury cases ultimately comes down to the legal fees the attorney and their firm has in place. Legal fees include:

  • Commercial truck accident lawyersTime spent by the attorney/their team to gather evidence
  • Cost of filing a lawsuit
  • Time spent negotiating
  • Hiring accident reconstructionists and other experts
  • Travel costs
  • Miscellaneous fees
  • Administrative fees

These fees are not paid upfront, but rather are taken out at the end in the contingency fee. Meaning–if your lawyer wins, you have to pay.

Contingency Fees

After being involved in a truck accident, you likely do not have the cash on hand to pay for an hourly attorney rate. This is where the contingency fee comes into play. Utilizing an attorney who follows a contingency fee system is risk-free.

How much do lawyers charge?Consider this: You face serious injury following the accident. With medical bills piling up, and vehicle repair or replacement costs, you may not be able to pay for a lawyer. But not having a lawyer may mean you settle your claim early, not getting the compensation you deserve.

The contingency fee basis allows you to seek legal representation without upfront costs.

Common Contingency Fee Percentages

While all law firms are different, there are average costs for hiring a personal injury lawyer. During your consultation, you will be able to find out exactly what your attorney charges, but in general, a lawyer will charge between 33.3 percent to 40 percent of whatever they win for you.

For example, if you are awarded a $75,000 settlement, your lawyer’s fee may be between $24,750 and $30,000.

However, know that sometimes these fees can change if the truck accident claim goes to trial, or requires mediation/arbitration. These additional fees will be outlined in your contract if they are applicable.

Are there additional fees I may be charged?

In addition to your lawyer’s contingency fees, there are other fees that you may be charged. These fees include:

  • Expert witness fees and investigator fees
  • Police reports or medical records
  • Court filing fees
  • Court reporter fees
  • Postage costs

Often, your lawyer will not charge you these fees until the case is closed and a settlement or verdict has been reached. However, they may deduct their fees before taking out these additional costs. If it is not outlined clearly in your contract, be sure to ask before signing any paperwork.

Is it better to be charged a contingency fee or an hourly rate?

In general, it is better for you as the client to be charged a contingency fee rather than an hourly rate. If an attorney charges you an hourly rate, know that this may be a sign that the case isn’t that strong, and the attorney thinks your settlement won’t be as large as you may have hoped.

If a lawyer is not explaining why they charge an hourly rate versus a contingency fee to you for a truck accident claim, you may want to talk to a new law firm.

Will Going to Trial Be More Expensive than a Settlement?

It’s true that most personal injury cases never make it to trial. In fact, 95% of personal injury cases are settled in pre-trial. However, if your case goes to trial, this can mean additional expenses. 

The extra expenses you may face if your truck accident claim goes to trial may include court fees, additional time needed to prepare for trial, and compensation for the time and effort required to argue before a judge.

This is why lawyers often work through negotiations to reach a settlement to avoid trial.

Can I get legal advice before getting an attorney?

Many personal injury lawyers offer a no-obligation, free consultation to potential clients in a lawsuit. This means you can ask questions, share your case details and then decide if you want to go forward with legal representation or look elsewhere.

Take advantage of these free consultations before making truck accident claims as you may not even need to go to court to get the compensation you deserve.

What should I bring to the consultation?

The consultation is where the lawyer will decide if they want to retain you as a client. Because of this, be sure to collect evidence including:

  • Medical records and bills
  • Truck driver information
  • Witness testimony
  • Proof of lost wages
  • Proof of vehicle damage
  • Police reports

This allows your attorney to see what information is readily available, and how likely the case is to succeed against the at-fault party. Further, you’ll learn what the lawyers charge for their services.

Is it Worth Getting a Lawyer for Truck Accident Claims?

Though you may think you can handle the settlement process on your own, it is almost always worth it to get a truck accident lawyer for your claim to recover compensation. Because most personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, you have no risk when utilizing legal representation.

If you are currently struggling with:

  • Medical bills,
  • Serious injury,
  • Lost current and future income, and
  • Property damage

Regan Zambri Long PLLC can help. Don’t go through a personal injury case alone. Establishing an attorney-client relationship early on will be the difference between the insurance company selling you short, and you earn the settlement for your truck accident claim that you deserve. If you are ready to recover compensation, we are here to help.

You Don’t Pay Until We Win: Regan Zambri Long

Being involved in a truck accident in DC, Maryland, or Virginia can be complicated and expensive. You may fear that you simply cannot afford an attorney to represent you. However, at Regan Zambri Long, we offer a free consultation. No fees upfront. Payment comes once you’ve had a court award you compensation or receive a settlement.

Schedule your free legal consultation by calling (202) 960-4596 or sending us a message now!

Schedule a Free Consultation

Have you or your loved one sustained injuries in Washington DC, Maryland or Virginia? Regan Zambri Long PLLC has the best lawyers in the country to analyze your case and answer the questions you may have.

Call 202-960-4596

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