How Much Does a Truck Accident Lawyer Cost?

February 20, 2025 | By Colombo Law

“Truck accident lawyer cost” is a common concern for many clients when they first contact us. When you’re facing expensive medical bills, costly repairs to your vehicle, and financial hardships from missing work, it’s natural to be worried about what it will cost to hire a lawyer.

As personal injury lawyers, Colombo Law doesn’t charge you hourly rates or a retainer. Instead, we handle truck accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you don’t have to pay unless we settle your case or win at trial. When we obtain a favorable result, our fee is a percentage of the recovery.

During your FREE case review, we will provide transparent information on our fee structure so you know how much a truck accident lawyer costs. Our truck accident attorneys serve clients in Columbus, Cincinnati, and all of Ohio. Call 614-362-7000 (Columbus) or 513-599-8841 (Cincinnati) today for assistance with your case.

How Contingency Fees Work in Truck Accident Cases

Truck accident claims are personal injury matters. Personal injury attorneys generally work on contingency because their clients are already facing significant financial challenges after the accident.

When a truck accident lawyer says they work on contingency, that means you can expect:

• No upfront cost—the initial consultation is FREE
• You will not receive any bills for legal fees or services while the case is in progress
• If the case is resolved in your favor, the fee is calculated as a percentage of the settlement or trial award

You have enough to worry about after a truck accident. A contingency fee agreement takes concerns about upfront costs off the table, allowing you to access legal support without fear of what it will do to your finances.

At Colombo Law, we make our clients a No Fee Promise. Consulting a truck accident lawyer costs you nothing, and you don’t have to pay any fees while we’re preparing your case. If you have been injured in a truck accident, we encourage you to contact our Columbus or Cincinnati office without delay.

What Is the Average Contingency Fee Percentage for Truck Accidents?

On average, the contingency fee for a truck accident case tends to range from 33.33% to 40% of the settlement or award. Here’s a hypothetical example of how contingency fees work and what it means for the truck accident lawyer cost:

• You are injured in a trucking accident. The evidence shows that the truck driver was at fault, so you file a claim with the insurance company.
• A truck accident lawyer agrees to take your case. The agreed-upon contingency fee is 33.33% (one-third) of the damages you recover.
• Negotiations with the insurance company result in a settlement offer of $150,000.
• You accept the settlement. Per the contingency fee agreement, one-third of the recovery ($50,000) goes to the lawyer while you receive the remaining $100,000.

This is a fairly straightforward example. In reality, there’s no such thing as an “average” truck accident claim.

Lawyers evaluate multiple factors when calculating the percentage of a contingency fee. The Ohio Rules of Professional Conduct sets standards for what constitutes a “reasonable attorney fee” in light of the following considerations:

• The time and effort required for the case, as well as the complexity and necessary skill involved
• Whether taking the case will prevent the lawyer or firm from taking on additional cases
• Customary fees for similar matters within the local community
• The value of the case and previous results obtained by the firm
• Any time limitations
• The nature of the attorney-client relationship
• A lawyer’s “experience, reputation, and ability”
• The structure of the fee (contingent or fixed)

A truck accident lawyer should set out the terms of the fee agreement in writing, including any expenses for which you will be responsible. You should not hesitate to raise any questions or concerns before signing, and the lawyer should be able to provide the information you need to make an informed decision.

Will I Be Responsible for Any Other Expenses?

Preparing a successful truck accident case is expensive. Accident lawyers and law firms may incur the following costs while preparing your case, which they usually internalize until the matter is resolved:

• Fees for copies of your medical records
• The cost of paper and/or digital copies of the crash report
• Court filing fees
• Expert witness and investigator fees
• Postage cost
• Travel expenses related to the case

It is important to find out if you will be responsible for these and other costs—especially in the event that the case is unsuccessful. You should also ask if expenses will be deducted from the settlement or award or if you will need to pay them after the fact.

Do I Need a Truck Accident Lawyer?

When people think about the cost of hiring a truck accident lawyer, their main concern is having to spend more money when they’ve already taken a big financial hit because of the crash. They hear stories about what other lawyers charge by the hour, and they don’t think they can afford legal representation.

That’s why we want to bust the myths about truck accident lawyer cost. Contingency fees are the norm for personal injury cases because clients are in a financially vulnerable state, and the usual hourly fees or retainer in other legal matters would be prohibitively expensive. With a contingent fee agreement, you can assert your legal rights after a truck accident and only incur costs if you receive compensation.

It is in your best interest to hire a truck accident lawyer because:

• Truck accidents often result in serious and catastrophic injuries
• Accident claims usually involve both the truck driver and the trucking company, creating additional complexity
• You may be entitled to significant compensation; without a knowledgeable lawyer, however, you are unlikely to recover all of the damages you deserve
• The evidence in a truck accident case tends to be more complex than in other accident claims
• You will need an attorney to represent you if the case goes to court

Bottom line: Most people can’t afford NOT to hire an attorney after a collision involving a semi-truck. A skilled lawyer can negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf or, if necessary, file a lawsuit and take your case to trial.

Contact Colombo Law Today

For more than 25 years, Colombo Law has been representing the victims of truck accidents. Our unparalleled experience and in-depth knowledge make us an asset for those who have been injured or lost loved ones in crashes caused by commercial vehicles.

Don’t worry about truck accident lawyer cost. With Colombo Law’s No Fee Promise, you get a FREE case review and don’t have to pay fees unless we win. Contact us today for immediate assistance after a truck accident in Columbus or Cincinnati. We serve clients throughout Ohio.