Company provided lawyers for traffic citations?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Oaktown, Jan 29, 2013.

  1. Oaktown

    Oaktown Light Load Member

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    Today at CDL school someone asked so what happens when / if you get cited in XYZ state and you have to appear in court 4 weeks?


    How does that work? Do you come of the road? Not appear at all?


    Instructor say oh this carrier, " these big companies have company lawyers that will represent you in court".


    I want to know if this is how it works and does this sound right? Companies help with your driving legal problems i.e. represent you at all?


    Or is it on you to get an attorney if needed to fight for your CDL, keep it clean etc. Thanks
     
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  3. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Some will but stay on top of what's going on. Some companies will pay the fine and then take it out of your check. If it's big enough they might make you sign a promissory note and they pay it. Then you pay for the rest of your life. :)


    • Your choices are you plead guilty by paying the fine through the mail.
    • You hire your own attorney. They can represent you with you not present. You can even join a prepaid legal plan.
    • The company will handle it for you utilizing an attorney or paying the fine for you.

    But I would stay in contact with safety before and after to make sure they didn't forget.

    An attorney can sometimes get it dismissed or reduced. At minimum they usually can get the fine knocked in half.
     
  4. saddleup

    saddleup Light Load Member

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    you better run to the bank with that instructors check, like to fell out of my chair when i read this.



    As for your ?? no the carrier will not be proving you with anything.


    And there are a couple states that will not allow a attorney to appear for you, you have to stand in court your self
     
    Last edited: Jan 29, 2013
  5. jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    you might try a pre paid legal company, the one out of oklahoma city worked well for me twice
     
  6. Homemade1959

    Homemade1959 Light Load Member

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    I can envision you falling out of your chair. I can't stop laughing on this one...and I can't think of any bigger gap between reality and dream :biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559::biggrin_2559:
     
    Last edited: Jan 30, 2013
  7. Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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    when i came to my current company they gave us the option of signing up for open road drivers legal plan and im sure its halfway a scam but i signed up anyways just to see if it works well for me if i get a ticket
     
  8. Oaktown

    Oaktown Light Load Member

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    What's the cost to the plan? I've seen lawyers work magic outside of trucking and was just wondering.
     
  9. Oaktown

    Oaktown Light Load Member

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    Dec 19, 2012
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    What's the cost to the plan? I've seen lawyers work magic outside of trucking and was just wondering.

    Can you shoot me a # or website for the OKC place?
     
  10. Steve3662

    Steve3662 Light Load Member

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    Why pay prepaid legal? Lawyers that specialize in traffic cases usually just charge a flat fee. I just hired a lawyer for one of my drivers (yes I run a small fleet and hired a lawyer to represent a driver for speeding so we do exist). I paid a flat fee of $600 for the lawyer in California. A prepaid legal service is a waste. What happens if you don't get a ticket for years and years? You just threw all your money away. If you keep clean you don't have to worry about it. You also have to watch out for those prepaid legal services a lot of them will just refer you to a lawyer at a "discount" rate. I don't see any use for them at all. If you do get a ticket just look up traffic lawyers wherever the court is and call them. It takes a few minutes and they will give you a free consultation over the phone. Find the one you like best and hire him or her.
     
    wsyrob Thanks this.
  11. Elendil

    Elendil Heavy Load Member

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    By your thinking, I have been wasting my money on this silly homeowners insurance. After all, my house hasn't burnt down, so I've been wasting money all these years on those dumb premiums...........

    A legitimate prepaid legal plan is a form of insurance. My company offers a prepaid legal plan that runs about $12 a month. You have to decide if it is worth $12 a month to have that representation available if needed or if you are willing to assume that risk yourself.
     
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