Truck accidents aren’t handled the same way as regular car accidents. Because of their size, trucks can cause more severe injuries and require higher insurance policies. Trucks are also involved in commercial activity, so aside from the driver, other defendants may include the trucking company, the freight broker, the maintenance contractor, or even the manufacturer.
When all these complex factors are involved, it’s only normal for those in a truck accident to ask: How much does a truck accident lawyer cost to file a personal injury claim?
The answer depends on the facts of the case. A personal injury attorney will have to investigate the facts, negotiate with the different parties responsible, and, when necessary, litigate your interests in court.
Fortunately, there are no upfront fees to pay to hire a truck accident lawyer and get a case started.
How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?
Unlike lawyers in other areas of law, who bill hourly, we work on a contingency basis and are paid only a percentage of the final settlement or court award. The percentage can range from 20% to 50% of the settlement. If the case is lost, you don’t have to pay anything.
After your initial consultation, your lawyer should be upfront with their fee and will only proceed if you agree. Once your case has been resolved, your lawyer will provide a breakdown of their fee (along with other case costs) taken from the settlement amount.
This practice is standard for all truck accident lawyers. It allows anyone to seek justice for injuries or deaths caused by another party, all without worrying about their ability to pay for quality legal services.
Attorney Fees vs. Case Costs: What’s the Difference?
When someone asks, “What does a semi truck accident attorney charge?”, they may be referring to two different things:
- Attorney’s Fees: What we earn for legal work, usually a contingency percentage of the settlement amount
- Case Costs: Out-of-pocket spending that your legal team shoulders to build the case
In truck accident litigation, case costs can include:
- Filing fees and service of process
- Medical record retrieval
- Deposition transcripts
- Expert witness fees
- Travel and investigation expenses
- Exhibit preparation and trial technology
These costs can rise, depending on the complexity of the case, if multiple defendants are involved, and if your case ends up going to court. These are often shouldered by your lawyer and reimbursed from the settlement, on top of their percentage.
Discuss the facts of your case with McGinity Law Firm. Contact us today to request a free initial consultation at our Covington or Bogalusa, Louisiana offices.
Factors That Can Affect Fees and Costs in a Truck Accident Case
Your lawyer should go through the different factors that can impact the final amount deducted from your settlement:
- Number of Defendants: Your legal team will need to investigate the driver, carrier, contractors, and manufacturers, all of whom could share some responsibility for your injury or your loved one’s death.
- Severity and Duration of Medical Treatment: In cases where the accident can have long-term healthcare impacts, you need more documentation and expert support to prove your case needs to account for the future costs of medical care.
- Disputed Liability: In cases of comparative fault arguments (where the other party may argue you or other defendants share some fault), more investigation and reconstruction may be needed.
- Insurance Coverage Complexity: Layered policies, coverage denials, or exclusions can lead to coverage litigation or additional negotiation.
- Early Settlement or Suit: Cases that require depositions, expert disclosures, and trial prep are more expensive to litigate.
Why Truck Accident Cases Cost More To Build
Truck accident cases require your attorney to prove what happened and who is responsible. This means performing extensive investigations, which require:
- Obtaining black box/ECM data
- Preserving driver logs and ELD records
- Reviewing dispatch communications and route data
- Investigating hiring, training, and supervision practices
- Inspecting the tractor-trailer for mechanical defects or maintenance issues
- Working with accident reconstruction experts
- Consulting medical experts to connect injuries to the crash and forecast future care
These are important when the trucking company and its insurer quickly take control of the narrative. The defense may have investigators and attorneys working within hours of the collision. A plaintiff’s attorney must often move just as quickly to preserve evidence before it disappears.
Multi-Party Litigation Can Affect the Costs of a Truck Accident Case
A typical car accident claim might involve two drivers and two insurers, while many other personal injury cases are relatively straightforward. However, a truck accident can involve overlapping fault:
- The trucking company may dispute liability by saying the driver was acting outside the scope of employment.
- The driver may claim mechanical failure or improper loading from the broker.
- The maintenance company may blame defective parts.
- The truck manufacturer may claim that the truck was not maintained properly.
- The broker may argue that they did their due diligence during loading and had no control over the trucking company’s safety policies or the driver’s actions.
This creates an unclear cycle that makes it hard to pinpoint who is at fault. Without strong evidence, it can be easy for an insurance company or any other responsible party to minimize their responsibility and provide a lowball offer.
To avoid this situation, your lawyer needs to come prepared to every negotiation, which is why the additional evidence mentioned earlier is necessary. This is one reason the conversation about the 18-wheeler accident lawyer’s cost can’t be separated from the case structure. More defendants can mean more discovery, more experts, and more motions. But it also means more potential sources of recovery if liability is properly established.
Questions To Ask Before You Sign a Fee Agreement
What does a semi truck accident attorney charge? To get a clear understanding of their fees, don’t be afraid to ask your lawyer:
- What percentage would your contingency fee be for my case?
- Does the percentage change if we file suit or go to trial?
- What costs are common in a truck accident case like mine?
- Have you handled past clients involved in multi-defendant trucking cases?
Why Choose McGinity Law Firm for Your Truck Accident Case
Truck accident claims demand a legal team that can investigate fast, identify every responsible party, and stand firm when multiple insurers start shifting blame.
McGinity Law Firm has helped families across Louisiana for over 20 years. We’ve handled cases for clients injured in car, truck, motorcycle, and 18-wheeler accidents, wrongful death matters, and insurance claim disputes.
As your truck accident attorney, we bring to the table:
- Experience with Complex Cases: Our team knows how to evaluate carrier-versus-driver issues, uncover additional defendants when appropriate, and build a strategy that reflects the full picture.
- Handling Your Insurance Settlements: Adjusters may push for quick statements or early settlement offers before the long-term impact of injuries is known. We step in to protect your claim from common insurance tactics.
- Local Expertise: We understand how an accident can disrupt your whole life. We fight for the compensation you need to move forward. If you’re facing a serious injury after a trucking collision, McGinity Law Firm is ready to help you evaluate your options.
Let’s Discuss Your Options
Truck accident cases can become expensive to litigate because of the more extensive requirements for proving fault. Your lawyer should explain fees, costs, and the realities of multi-party litigation to help you through this process.
McGinity Law Firm has spent over 20 years helping families across Louisiana pursue the best possible outcomes in personal injury and wrongful death cases. Contact McGinity Law Firm to request a free consultation.