If you’ve been in an accident with a commercial vehicle, it’s likely that you’re dealing with serious injuries. You may also be dealing with multiple entities such as the driver, the driver’s insurance company, the driver’s employer, and the trucking company’s insurance company. Your insurance claim may be very complex. In fact, you may not be ready to settle with the insurance company because you’re not sure how much more recovery time you have. You may be wondering if you really need a lawyer to handle your claim and how much it will cost.
How Does a Lawyer Help You with Your Truck Accident Claim?
Commercial truck accidents are more complex than accidents between personal drivers. The trucks weigh 10 to 20 times more than a personal vehicle. More than one entity can be liable for the accident. Commercial drivers have many regulations to comply with to show that they weren’t negligent for the accident. Personal injury laws are complex. It can be difficult to show the economic impact on your life after an accident.
A truck accident lawyer, like a truck accident lawyer in Woodland Hills, CA, will help you present your case to the insurance company to maximize your settlement. An experienced lawyer understands the process to make sure that the right paperwork is filed in a timely manner to protect your rights. Your lawyer knows the laws that pertain to your case to help handle the claim professionally. A good truck accident lawyer understands that multiple parties might be responsible and maybe fighting over who should pay.
What Does It Cost to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer?
Truck accident lawyers operate on a contingency basis. This means that the lawyer takes the case without a retainer or an up-front fee. Contingency fees mean that your attorney gets a percentage of what money you collect as a settlement. A typical contingency fee is around 33%, but it is negotiable. Keep in mind that you may be responsible for other expenses, but the lawyer is required to disclose this before taking your case.
Once you sign a contract with a lawyer to represent you, your attorney builds your case. The legal team will gather records related to your case. This could include medical bills and records, insurance information and police reports. The attorney will also investigate your case to prove that the driver or truck company was at fault. The lawyer negotiates with the defense to settle the case out of court. If the claim can’t be settled, you may be required to present your case to a judge or jury. Contact a truck accident lawyer today to help you through the claim process.
Thanks to Barry P. Goldberg, A Professional Law Corporation for their insight into whether you need a truck accident lawyer to handle your claim.