How Contingency Fees Make it Possible for You to Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer
If you’re struggling to pay expensive medical bills and living expenses with no income to pay them because of your truck accident injuries, you may believe that you can't afford to hire a truck accident lawyer. The good news is that you do not have to worry about affording the fees for an attorney to fight for the compensation you deserve from the negligent trucker and trucking company.
Attorney Mark Blane at The Law Offices of Mark Blane, APC, has decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured truck accident victims in San Diego. He understands the financial and emotional stresses his clients go through when they are coping with the life-altering injuries of a truck collision. Mark charges on a contingent fee basis to make it easier for our clients to afford our services.
How Does a Contingency Fee Arrangement Work in a San Diego Truck Accident Claim?
Under a contingency fee agreement, you pay a percentage of the damages you receive in your insurance settlement or a jury verdict for our attorney fees.
You will not owe any of these fees upfront or until your case is resolved. To make it easier for you to afford our services, we deduct our attorney fees from the money you receive so you do not have to write us a check. In addition, Mark offers a free initial consultation to discuss your options, answer your questions, and explain how we charge for our services.
What Happens If You Lose Your Case?
One of the benefits of our contingency fee arrangement is that you owe no attorney fees if our legal team cannot reach a settlement with the insurance company or if you lose your case at a jury trial. This makes hiring The Law Offices of Mark Blane, APC, an affordable and low-risk option.
Are There Other Costs You Could Owe When Hiring Our Lawyer for Your San Diego Truck Accident Claim?
Yes, you would owe the costs associated with pursuing your claim for compensation. You will owe these expenses whether or not we can successfully resolve your case. Our legal team will explain why we need to incur them and provide you with an estimate of the costs throughout your case. Here are the additional fees you could incur:
- Copying costs. We will need to obtain a copy of the police report and your medical records. You are responsible for paying the costs associated with getting them copied.
- Expert witness fees. Depending on the facts of your case and the disputes raised by the insurance company, our truck accident lawyer may recommend that you hire an expert witness. They may help you prove the cause of your truck collision, the seriousness of your injuries, and the compensation you deserve. An expert witness can also assist in resolving disputes with the insurance company.
- Litigation costs. Mark will sue the truck driver, trucking company, and any other liable parties if their insurance companies do not offer you a fair settlement or the deadline to sue will expire. You would be responsible for paying the litigation costs, which can include filing fees, motion fees, and deposition costs.
Most lawyers pay these costs upfront and then charge you for reimbursement afterward.
How Hiring a San Diego Truck Accident Lawyer Can Benefit You and Save You Money
It’s important to hire an attorney experienced in handling truck accident cases so you can benefit from their experience and avoid being taken advantage of by insurance companies. Handling your case on your own may risk you receiving a lower settlement offer or facing denial of your claim.
The benefits of retaining our truck accident lawyer cannot be overstated. We help protect your rights and fight for the money you deserve. You’re more likely to receive a fair compensation amount with a lawyer than if you try to settle the claim alone. Here are other ways hiring our legal team can be beneficial:
1. We Can Determine Your Truck Accident's Cause
Large truck accident claims are much more complex than car crash cases, and determining the cause of the crash can be much more complicated. While the trucker’s negligence is often a contributing factor, the trucking company's and driver’s violations of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations could have also caused your wreck. Violations of the rules on hiring qualified truck drivers, taking required rest breaks during a trip, or maintaining the truck are common reasons dangerous truck accidents occur.
Attorney Mark Blane will examine all the evidence to determine why your truck collision happened. If necessary, he will recommend that you hire an accident reconstruction expert or other expert to help identify the cause of your crash.
2. Our Attorney Will Send a Spoliation Letter
Evidence our legal team needs to prove your claim includes drivers’ logs, trip receipts, trucker personnel files, and truck maintenance records. Unfortunately, trucking companies may not provide this information voluntarily.
Soon after you retain us, our truck accident lawyer will send the trucking company a spoliation letter demanding they provide the evidence needed to support your claim. Under FMCSA rules, the company is prohibited from altering or destroying these documents.
3. Our Legal Team Will Identify All Liable Parties
Depending on why your truck collision happened, more parties, in addition to the trucking company and trucker, could be liable to compensate you. The shipper, truck maintenance facility, and the truck or parts manufacturers may be liable parties. Mark will identify all at-fault parties and file claims with their insurance companies for you.
4. We Will Collect the Evidence You Need to Win Your Case
You need evidence to prove the elements of your truck accident claim. Our truck accident lawyer knows what evidence you must have to build a strong case and will collect it for you. Essential evidence we obtain on your behalf may include the following:
- Police report
- Photos and videos of the truck crash
- Eyewitness statements
- Traffic camera and business surveillance footage
- Truck's black box data
- Dashcam footage
- Trucker's logbook
- Receipts
- Cellphone and email records
- Truck maintenance records
- Trucker's personnel file
- Medical records
- Wage loss documentation
- Repair estimates and receipts
- Alcohol and drug testing results
5. Our Lawyer Will Negotiate Your Settlement
Our attorney will value your claim and fight with the insurance company for the compensation you are entitled to under California law. Mark understands the unfair tactics and arguments the insurance adjuster may employ to dispute your claim and delay paying you. He knows what it takes to counter their arguments and seek a fair settlement.
6. Our Attorney Will File Your Lawsuit
A critical deadline you must comply with is the statute of limitations to sue the trucker, trucking company, and any other liable parties. Attorney Mark Blane knows how disastrous it would be to miss this deadline and will file your lawsuit before it expires.
How our Experienced Truck Accident Attorney Can Help You
Mark is not afraid to aggressively litigate your claim. While most of our cases settle before their trial date, Mark will argue your case and present all your evidence at a jury trial if this is in your best interests. Read our truck accident and other motor vehicle case results to learn how Mark has successfully settled and tried these cases for our clients. We’ll fight on your behalf to protect your rights.
