It does not cost anything upfront or out of pocket to hire a truck accident lawyer in Texas. Most personal injury attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee basis, which means your lawyer’s fee is a portion of your settlement or judgment award. If you don’t receive compensation, you won’t pay your Waxahachie truck accident lawyer anything.
What Is a Contingency Fee?
It is natural for injury victims to wonder how much a truck accident lawyer costs in Texas. Although attorneys have a reputation for being expensive, you might be surprised to learn that you can often hire legal counsel without any upfront or out-of-pocket fees. This is possible thanks to a contingency fee arrangement.
Most Waxahachie personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Your attorney will start working on your case immediately without any upfront or hourly cost to you. They will handle every aspect of your lawsuit from beginning to end, including covering all fees along the way.
A truck accident attorney who works on contingency earns their fee by keeping a portion of your recovery, whether you accept a settlement from the liable party’s insurance company or win a verdict in court. If your lawyer cannot secure compensation on your behalf, you will owe them nothing.
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How a Contingency Fee Agreement Benefits You After a Truck Accident
Contingency fee agreements benefit injury victims in many ways. Chief among these benefits is the opportunity to seek financial compensation for your injuries without having to pay your lawyer until your case concludes, and their payment will never come out of your bank account. This approach means anyone can afford legal representation, regardless of their financial situation.
Without having to pay for any upfront costs to hire a commercial motor vehicle accident attorney, you can use your resources to deal with other challenges after a truck accident, which is especially important if you are too hurt to work.
When an experienced truck accident attorney takes your case on contingency, you also get the peace of mind of knowing they believe your claim is strong enough to be successful. Remember: your lawyer only gets paid if you do. There is little reason for a lawyer to accept a case if they believe it is unlikely to lead to a financial recovery.
How Does a Contingency Fee Differ From Other Billing Options?
Most personal injury lawyers take cases on a contingency basis, but this is only one of the ways lawyers can bill for their services. A few other common fee arrangements include:
Hourly Fees
In many areas of the law (such as family law or estate law), the most common approach is for an attorney to bill on an hourly basis. With hourly billing, a law firm sets an hourly rate and keeps track of the amount of time spent on a given case. The client is charged for each hour the lawyer or another member of their team spends on their case.
Retainer Fees
Typically, lawyers billing an hourly rate also require a retainer fee for their services. This acts as a “down payment” to secure legal representation. For example, if a lawyer charges $200 an hour and requires a $1,000 retainer fee, that would cover their first five hours of work. The client would then be billed an additional $200 for each additional hour the lawyer spends on their case.
A retainer may also be used to pay for additional services or fees, such as:
- Court filing fees
- Costs of copying documents
- Travel expenses
- Consultant or expert witness fees
- Postage fees for mailing documents
Flat Fees
Some attorneys charge flat fees for one-time services, such as creating a will or submitting a bankruptcy petition.
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Is Hiring a Truck Accident Injury Attorney in Texas Worth It?
Hiring an 18-wheeler accident attorney to handle your truck accident injury case is not mandatory, but representing yourself is risky. While the thought of giving up some of your settlement to hire an attorney can be unappealing, it is helpful to look at it as an investment in your case’s success and your peace of mind.
A truck accident injury lawyer can take a huge burden off your shoulders by:
Investigating Your Accident
You may be in the hospital or recovering at home after the accident, unable to gather evidence yourself. While you rest and recover, your trucking accident lawyer can investigate the cause of your truck accident and gather time-sensitive evidence.
This involves speaking with witnesses, reviewing video footage, and reading accident reports. A quick and thorough investigation could determine who is liable and identify which damages are available in your case.
Negotiating With the Insurance Adjuster
A personal injury law firm can save you a lot of time and hassle by negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company on your behalf. While you focus on healing, your personal injury attorney will fight for your rights and negotiate for a fair settlement offer that covers all your accident-related losses.
Litigating Your Case
While personal injury cases rarely go to court, an attorney’s support can be crucial when settlement discussions fall apart. If you must litigate your case to get a successful outcome, your attorney can handle the entire legal process.
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Ask About Fees During Your Free Consultation With a Truck Accident Law Firm
Any misunderstandings regarding the cost of a Waxahachie commercial truck accident lawyer can lead to confusion in the future. The best way to avoid these issues is to get a clear picture of a firm’s billing structure before you hire them.
According to the American Bar Association, contingency fees for personal injury claims generally range from 33 to 40 percent, but they can vary between firms. Be sure you understand the exact percentage your attorney will take from your settlement or judgment award before signing a contract.
Most firms—including ours—offer free consultations for anyone injured in a collision with a commercial vehicle. This free consultation allows you to ask questions about your case and the legal system in general, including what percentage the law firm charges for their fee.
Let Our Law Firm Answer Your Questions About Your Truck Accident Injury Case
The thought of hiring an attorney for your truck accident injury case might seem daunting, but it may provide you with your best chance to recover compensation for your injuries.
If you are unsure how contingency fee billing works, you can learn more during a free consultation with Clay Jenkins & Associates. Our legal team is here to help you get the most out of your injury claim. Contact us today for a free consultation.
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