All the work that personal injury attorneys do from the beginning to the end of your case adds up. But the cost of it all can be quite vague. From gathering viable case evidence, police reports, and transcripts, you may be wondering how much it will all cost.
That’s why our lawyers at the Buzbee Law Firm are here to break down what your settlement goes toward when you win your case. Texas truck accident lawyers will take around 33% to 40% of your settlement in most truck accident cases. Read on to learn how truck accident lawyers determine their contingency fees and how it affects your case.
What Is a Contingency Fee Basis?
It’s a common belief that lawyers charge their clients for every action they perform in their case. However, this is not true. Most personal injury lawyers, including truck accident lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis.
When lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, they are only paid if they win their client’s case and get them a settlement. This is why many lawyers have the phrase, “You don’t pay unless we win” on their website. Before working with a truck accident lawyer, they will explain how, why, and how much they will take from your final settlement to cover their legal fees.
With this process, you don’t face any financial risks because you don’t have to pay anything unless your lawyer wins your case. And if you do win your case, the money is deducted from your settlement. You don’t have to worry about having the money to pay because your settlement will cover it.
Your Fees Cover Important Costs
As your lawyer works on your case, you may wonder what your settlement may be going toward. Lawyers go through a lot to build a strong case, and they face a variety of costs throughout the legal process. As your truck accident lawyer builds your case, they may face some or all the costs below:
- Obtaining copies of police reports
- Obtaining copies of medical records
- Fees for filing in court
- Fees for expert witnesses
- Costs for postage
- Obtaining transcripts
- Deposition fees
- Trial exhibits
The time and effort required to gather all these documents and resources will result in a strong case. If you have any questions about the fees that are deducted from your settlement, your lawyer can explain the process.
If your case requires any additional services, your truck accident lawyer will explain this to you so that you can be aware of any increase in the percentage they take from your settlement. These additional services can increase your chances of winning your case.
How a Contingency Fee Arrangement Can Benefit Your Case
A contingency fee arrangement benefits you and your case in a number of ways. The most significant benefit is being able to get compensation for your injuries without needing to pay your lawyer upfront. This can be helpful if you were in a truck accident and have severe injuries.
You can keep the money you have and pay for any immediate injuries and other pressing costs. This can also be helpful if you are unable to work due to your injuries, so you don’t have to worry about paying legal bills when you don’t have an income.
A contingency fee arrangement also indicates that your lawyer will only take your case if they believe that they can win it. By accepting your case, your Texas truck accident lawyer will be more motivated to win your case because that’s how they will receive their payment. However, it’s important to remember that this does not guarantee that you will win your case.
Why a Lawyer’s Contingency Fee May Be Higher
Depending on when your case resolves, the percentage of your settlement your lawyer takes may be larger than 33%. This is because if your case takes longer to win or ends up going to trial, more time and effort are required resulting in additional work for your lawyer.
One of the situations where the percentage your lawyer deducts from your settlement may be around 40% is if your case develops and you reach a settlement after you file a lawsuit. Your lawyer will alert you to this if it occurs and explain why they are deducting more. Your contingency fee will likely be higher if your case ends up going to trial as well.
Your lawyer will discuss the fees based on your case when you have your first consultation.
We understand that higher fees can be overwhelming, but it also means that your lawyer will work hard to get the highest settlement possible.
The Buzbee Law Firm Is Ready to Fight for Your Full Settlement
If you were in a truck accident in Texas, our passionate attorneys at the Buzbee Law Firm are ready to get you the settlement you deserve. Our contingency fee process is easy to understand, and we’ll answer any questions you have.
We fight for your rights and your compensation so that you can get back to living your life stress-free. Call us or fill out the form on our contact page to get started with your free consultation today.
