Commercial truck accidents can be very severe. If you think you need a lawyer to help negotiate a settlement with the driver’s insurance company, or just to protect your rights because the insurance companies are fighting over liability, you’re probably concerned about the cost. Accident attorneys generally work on a contingency basis. This means that instead of taking money from you upfront, the lawyer only takes a commission out of any settlement you receive.
What Will It Cost to Sue the Other Driver’s Insurance Company?
When an attorney takes your case, one of the things that will be included in your potential settlement are the expenses related to the lawsuit. There are court fees that need to be paid to file the lawsuit. Most law enforcement agencies and doctors charge fees to get reports from their company, and experts who provide testimony to support your claims will need to get paid. Attorneys have to pay fees to serve subpoenas to witnesses.
The expenses for your case will be specific to your situation. Expenses can vary based on the particular circumstances of your accident. There’s no way to tell you how many expenses your lawyer will have until he or she starts to dig into the case. All expenses will be paid from your settlement before you get any money.
Your lawyer will also take a percentage of your settlement as payment for services. This fee can range from 25 to 40% of the settlement. Some lawyers charge a lesser amount of 33 % if the case if settled out of court. Should the case go to trial, the 40% kicks in.
Why You Need a Lawyer
Although you aren’t paying up front for your attorney, you’re probably wondering if you really need to give up one-third of your settlement to one. A lawyer can really help you through the process by protecting your rights until the case is settled. Your lawyer knows the law and will aggressively work to settle your case with other driver’s insurance company.
A good truck accident lawyer, like a truck accident lawyer in Salt Lake City, UT, can identify the parties that are accountable. Sometimes, commercial truck companies try to pass liability between entities. It might the driver is at fault. Does that mean the trucking company is at fault? That depends on who the driver works for. In some cases, the manufacturer of the truck or its individual parts is at fault.
Contact a lawyer about your truck accident to help you find the best resolution for your situation.
Thanks to Rasmussen & Miner for their insight into how much a truck accident lawyer will cost.