There is no doubt your life will be difficult after a truck accident. With everything else on your mind, the last thing you want to worry about is whether you should hire an attorney to pursue compensation.
This is a controversial issue that plagues many people after they have been hurt. As your finances begin to drain, you may wonder how much it will cost to hire a truck accident lawyer.
Can you afford to hire an experienced attorney to represent your interests? Will hiring an attorney increase your financial burden? The answers to these questions may surprise you.
To learn about our contingency fee policy, please call Judd Shaw Injury Law. Our representatives are standing by 24/7 to speak with you.
Most Accident Attorneys Do Not Charge Up-Front Fees
If you are worried about your finances after a truck accident, the good news is that most truck accident attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means they will not ask for any type of fee or charge a retainer to work for you. Lawyers will take a percentage out of your settlement, on the other side of your case’s resolution, only if they can help you win. Otherwise, they will not take a single penny of yours.
This is also our policy at Judd Shaw Injury Law.
The benefits of a contingency structure can include:
- Your lawyer will front all the costs of the case
- Your financial situation will not keep you from being able to hire a lawyer
- You do not owe your lawyer anything if you do not win
- You will only pay a percentage of your winnings, nothing out of pocket
- Your lawyer will fight extra hard to ensure a victory
Why Hiring a Lawyer on a Contingency Fee Basis is Worth It
Some plaintiffs think they are better off handling a personal injury case alone. Their belief could be that they will get more money in the end if they do not have to pay a lawyer. Please be aware of the downsides of handling your own case, though.
While you have the right to represent yourself, doing so is inadvisable. The following is a list of reasons why hiring a personal injury attorney is worth it.
Your opponent is prepared for a fight
In spite of the notion that you could get more money by yourself, it’s actually inadvisable to handle your case alone. For one thing, trucking companies are prepared for claims against them by hiring tough attorneys who will fight you until the very end.
Also, the insurance company will not help you get the money you need to survive. They have many tricks up their sleeves to get you to settle for less.
The legal system is difficult
There are a variety of nuances you must know to successfully win a case. This is especially true if you are going up against experienced defense lawyers. There are deadlines, statutes, and laws you probably have no idea about.
If you are injured and trying to recover, the last thing you should be doing is taking a crash course in law to represent yourself. Even then, there are obstacles you will face that you will not be able to find with a quick Google search. Instead, go easy on yourself. Let the pros handle the hard work.
You will have access to professional advice
One of the best things about hiring an attorney is his or her invaluable guidance. Remember, attorneys who work on a contingency basis want to win. Most firms will even offer a free consultation to get the process started.
So, if you are unsure of your next step, please take up Judd Shaw Injury Law’s offer for a free chat. We can be reached 24/7 at your convenience.
Lawyers are great negotiators
Most personal injury cases are settled out of court. Why?
Personal injury attorneys have the knowledge and experience to gather the right evidence. Having this evidence gives your lawyers an edge when negotiating with insurance companies. They will also know exactly how much your injuries are and will not settle for less than what you are owed. Thus, leaning on an experienced legal team to negotiate a fair settlement will likely get you more money than if you attempted it yourself.
Your lawyer will have resources
Not only is trying a case difficult, but it can also get expensive. You can expect to pay out of pocket for basic litigation costs. Expert witness fees, court filing fees, administrative fees, costs of travel, and other miscellaneous fees are all a part of the process. Your attorney, though, will have the resources to pay for every necessary up-front expense.
Your lawyer will do all the work
After a truck accident, your doctor will likely want you to rest so you can recover fully. You do not need to be running around putting together a legal case. Your lawyer will handle 100 percent of the work.
While you recover, your lawyer will:
- Gather and document your medical records
- Find any police reports available
- Determine who is at fault for causing the accident
- Speak with witnesses
- Calculate how much money you should be compensated
- Draft and file all the legal paperwork for your case
- Ensure your claim is filed before the statute of limitations
- Contact expert witnesses who can testify on your behalf
- Negotiate a fair settlement with the insurance company
- Represent you in court if a settlement cannot be reached
Calculating the Damages You Can Receive
After being injured in a truck accident, receiving compensation may be a priority. But do you know how much money your injuries are worth? What about non-economic damages? Personal injury attorneys have ways of calculating exactly how much money you should get back. This is the amount they will negotiate with the insurance company.
Not knowing how to calculate damages could mean leaving necessary funds on the table. You may even be in such a rush to receive damages that you accept the first offer that comes your way. This is a bad idea, as insurance companies are looking to pay out as little as possible. They are banking on the fact that you have no idea what you are doing.
The types of damages your attorney can negotiate for include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Loss of earning capacity
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Disability
- Rehabilitation
- PTSD
You could make a wrongful death claim if a loved one died in a truck accident. Wrongful death can cover additional items, like funeral costs and loss of companionship.
Proving Liability
Another major part of the personal injury process is proving who was responsible for the accident. You may believe the truck driver caused it, but the evidence may prove otherwise. The first cause of an accident cannot be determined until after an investigation.
According to data from the FMCSA, only 23 percent of fatal truck crashes involved the commercial driver losing control. 63 percent of fatal incidents involved another vehicle, person, or animal crashing into it. This information means that truck drivers are less likely to be at fault for accidents.
While truck drivers do not cause most truck accidents, your lawyer can determine negligent behavior. The types of negligence your lawyer can look for can include:
- Driving while exhausted
- Driving while under the influence
- Improper truck maintenance
- Failing to follow hours-of-service guidelines
- Failing to conduct daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections
Sometimes, the trucking company or its driver may not be responsible. The accident could have been caused by a faulty truck part or shoddy mechanic work. No matter the case, your attorney can look at all the evidence provided and determine who to go after for compensation.
Call Judd Shaw Injury Law for Contingency-Based Legal Services
After being involved in a truck accident, you will need help from an experienced personal injury attorney. Our team is committed to providing values-based legal services on a contingency basis. This means you do not have to worry about paying us out of your pocket while we go to work for you. There are no unexpected fees, no annoying bills, and no worries – letting you focus on making a complete recovery.
We have built a reputation as a premier law firm you can trust to get the job done. There is only one way we serve our clients: the Judd Shaw Way. Our code of ethics is essential to us because you are way more than a dollar sign. We understand what you are going through and want to do whatever we can to help you get back on your feet as quickly as possible.
Contact us today at 1-866-909-6894 for a free consultation. We promise you will not have to pay anything until you win. That is why we offer an iron-clad No Fee Guarantee®.