How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost in North Carolina?

Trucking accidents are an unfortunate reality on North Carolina roadways. They often result in extensive property damage, devastating personal injuries, and in some cases, loss of life. Any of these outcomes can place a heavy burden on the victims and their loved ones, and the last thing some people might want to have to think about while dealing with the aftermath of an accident are all the finances involved. One potential concern is how much a truck accident lawyer costs in North Carolina?

Each case and claim is unique, but at the end of the day, a North Carolina truck accident lawyer is here for you, advocating for your rights and fighting for fair compensation. Often, the cost of an attorney is greatly offset by the recompense that they can help you receive.

What to Do in the Aftermath of a Truck Accident

Commercial trucks are an important part of our state and national economy. They can also be serious hazards to motorists sharing the roadways. Due to their extensive size and weight, trucks can cause catastrophic injuries if an accident occurs. After a wreck, victims can take several steps to protect and ensure their legal rights if they wish to file a personal injury claim.

• Seek Medical Help: The most important priority in any automotive accident is your health and safety. Call 911 immediately so you and your loved ones can receive medical attention. Even if you or those involved do not feel injured or in pain, it is a wise idea to go to a local emergency room or see your doctor to rule out any internal damages.
• Report Accident: North Carolina law requires the reporting of accidents right away. In a police report, the responding officer will include their own opinion on who is at fault for the accident and this can be sent to your insurance company with the claim.
• Collect Insurance Information and Names of Parties Involved: Make sure you gather and exchange all contact information and insurance information, along with driver’s license numbers, with the driver of the truck and anyone else involved in the collision. Ask for the information of any potential eyewitnesses as well.
• Scene Documentation: Take photos of all personal injuries sustained, the vehicles involved in the accident and their arrangement, and any other evidence that could prove useful to your claim, like traffic signs/lights, debris in the roadway, or skid marks.
• Contact a Trusted North Carolina Truck Accident Lawyer: An experienced attorney can investigate the circumstances surrounding your accident and make sure your case is handled fairly with care and attention to detail as you seek compensation.
• Contact Insurance Provider: Make sure you check the requirements of your insurance policy as soon as you can. You don’t want to miss out on fair compensation due to a missed deadline. It is crucial that you report the crash right away to your insurance company. If hired, a lawyer can take over and complete this step for you to make sure you don’t accidentally say anything that could hurt your case.

Truck Accident Cases and Attorney Fees

Upon hiring a lawyer, a client agrees that the lawyer will receive an established amount of the client’s compensation. However, an array of factors impacts just what amount a lawyer may charge. These factors include:

• The complexity of the truck accident case
• The attorney’s skills, experience, resources, and education
• The specific details surrounding the case, such as children’s injuries, death, multiple vehicles, or any governmental bodies involved
• The attorney’s trial record and experience

While all of these reasons may seem overwhelming, it is helpful to remember that even though you may be paying a slightly higher price for an experienced and skillful lawyer, doing so may provide you with an overall higher settlement amount.

Holding Responsible Parties Liable

Depending on all the complex details involved in your case, it may not be just the truck driver that could be held liable. Other parties that may be found responsible–dependent on the situation–include the truck’s mechanic, the freight loading company, the manufacturer of the truck or any truck components, or the trucking company itself. To improve the likelihood of a positive outcome and recover full compensation for damages suffered, a lawyer can name all potentially responsible parties in your claim.

FAQs

Q: How Much Are Most Truck Accident Settlements?

A: It is difficult to state how much truck accident settlements are because they are affected by so many different factors. A skilled attorney will examine all injuries suffered, the medical bills incurred, any property damage, a sum of all lost wages, and any pain or anguish suffered. Because so many settlements hinge on these factors, there is no way to calculate a set amount, and looking at previous settlements may not be helpful.

Q: What Is the Longest a Settlement Can Take?

A: There is no maximum amount of time it can take to settle a truck accident. Factors like the severity of the accident, the number of parties responsible, and the value of any damages can impact how long it takes to resolve your case. The willingness of the responsible parties to resolve the case with a fair settlement will also impact how long your case will take.

Q: Is Settlement Money Taxable?

A: If a personal injury claimant can show “observable bodily harm,” the IRS will not tax these settlements. So, if those injuries are visible and proven, the settlement awarded will not be taxed. Emotional distress settlement awards are also nontaxable if the anguish was a direct result of the sickness or physical injury caused by the accident.

Q: What’s the Most a Lawyer Can Earn From a Settlement?

A: How much a lawyer can earn from a settlement is dependent on how much you are awarded, but it is generally a percentage of the final settlement. Since no two truck accident cases are the same, the maximum amount will vary between different accident cases. Each one comes with a unique set of details and complexities that can affect the amount awarded in different ways.

Injured in a North Carolina Truck Accident?

Following a truck accident, you are rightfully entitled to pursue compensation. Though a difficult undertaking, the good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. With decades of legal experience under our belt, the Law Offices of Wade E. Byrd P.A. are here to advocate for your rights and help you seek the just compensation you deserve. Contact us today to see what service we can offer to your claim.