ESPANOL
The amount charged by a lawyer handling a truck accident claim differs depending on the nature of your case. Lawyers are likely to bill a lower amount for claims requiring less investigation and more for complex ones.
Luckily, most law firms do not charge upfront fees and costs. They only charge fees if they win a case and their client receives rightful compensation. Also, the fees come out of a settlement or court award, not their client’s pocket. Since the percentage lawyers claim from clients’ compensation differs, it is crucial to determine the exact amount they will deduct prior to working with them.
Determining How Much Lawyers Charge for a Truck Accident Claim
The best way to determine the amount charged for a truck accident claim in Georgia or South Carolina is by connecting with a law firm and finding out.
Most law offices offer a free case consultation or analysis to gauge the complexity of a claim. Here, they can assess the time and resources needed for your case. They may also estimate the fees based on average case expenses and other aspects increasing the lawyer’s work.
Lawyers typically claim between 33-40% of your award. You will want to be sure of the percentage, though, and make sure you’re comfortable with it. You don’t want to be surprised by excessive charges when your case closes.
What Exactly Are the Legal Fees Charged by Lawyers?
Legal fees for truck accidents claims differ depending on the case. For example, if your lawyer must travel often to interview witnesses, they are likely to charge more. The contingency fee may also increase if they need more time to gather evidence.
Other charges are commonly for:
- Time spent negotiating settlements
- Cost of filing a lawsuit
- Cost of printing and copying documents
- Postage
- Courier fees when sending documents
- Witness subpoena fees
Another charge that your lawyer can bill is administrative fees for paying office employees involved in the claims process. Your lawyer can also include the cost of obtaining certified medical records from your physician.
Proving Liability in a Truck Accident Case
Most truck accidents occur due to human error. When filing a compensation claim, your lawyer must prove liability, which may take time and effort.
The truck driver may have been fatigued or under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the accident. The trucker’s employer could be held liable for their employee’s negligence. The truck’s manufacturer may be held responsible if a defective part of the truck caused the driver to crash and cause an accident. There can be multiple liable parties in a truck accident.
When your lawyer investigates the accident and identifies the negligent parties, they will collect all pertinent evidence that proves their wrongdoing, thus holding them accountable.
Evidence in Truck Accident Cases
Your lawyer can use many forms of evidence to claim damages on your behalf. They include:
- Witness statements
- Medical reports
- Images of the scene and vehicles involved
- Pictures of your injuries
- Skid marks
- Medical reports
- The police report
If the event happened in full view of surveillance or traffic cameras, your lawyer could use this footage as evidence. Still, they will need to obtain a subpoena to get the footage. The costs of obtaining evidence can add up.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Truck Accident?
Damages can cover the cost of treating injuries and long-term expenses like therapy and buying medical equipment. Other damages you may recover after a truck accident are:
- The cost of repairing or replacing your vehicle
- Lost income due to time out of work
- The loss of earning capacity
A truck accident can also lead to damages with no monetary value. For example, you may experience pain and suffering and a lower quality of life. Working with a lawyer allows you to assign a monetary value for such damages and claim compensation. A legal professional can determine the impact a truck accident will have on your personal and social life.
Further, they may work with doctors to assess the likelihood of suffering health issues in the future. Your lawyer can then help you get proper compensation for damages based on these findings.
Contact George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers for Help Filing a Truck Accident Claim
At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we can represent you when claiming damages after a truck accident. We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing up front and out of pocket. We only get paid if you do, so there are no financial risks with us.
Your lawyer with our firm will be transparent with you, informing you of all the expenses that get deducted from your compensation. You will know the percentage we take before working with us. If you need help filing a truck accident claim, call George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers at (843) 779-1777 for a free consultation. Check out our case results to see our successful track record.1