Truck accidents often lead to severe injuries and hefty medical bills. Every year in the United States, approximately 100,000 large trucks are reported to be responsible for injury crashes, and approximately 5,000 for fatal crashes, according to the National Safety Council (NSC).
Finding a good truck accident lawyer is imperative if you or someone you know has been seriously injured in a collision. Determining liability in truck accident cases can be complicated since multiple parties may be involved. A personal injury lawyer who is well equipped to handle the legal proceedings on your behalf, though, can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
Experienced personal injury lawyers serving your area have the know-how required to handle your truck accident case. Here are the best steps to take when looking for a good truck accident lawyer.
Where to Find Potential Truck Accident Lawyers
To find a truck accident lawyer you can rely on, you need to look in the right places and ask the right questions. We suggest starting with these few research methods listed below.
1. Talk to family and friends
Ask the people you know and trust for their advice on personal injury attorneys. If any of your friends, family, or colleagues have filed claims or lawsuits in the past, they may recommend a lawyer or law firm they worked with. A trusted source is great for a first-hand review. Through that person, you can get a glimpse into the type of personal injury lawyer you could work with and get an idea of that attorney’s track record for success.
2. Research on the internet
Whether you’ve already compiled a list of potential attorneys or not, it’s good to seek out more information online. You can find truck accident lawyers who operate in your city or state and compare them. According to your requirements, one or more firms may be more suitable to handle your truck accident case than others.
One way you can find out about potential lawyers is to look through the local bar’s association website, the law firm’s website, and social media. This can give you a clearer picture of the lawyer’s reputation, track record, and experience. Not only can you find personal injury lawyer profiles, client testimonials, and reviews online, but some firm websites allow you to book free consultations to evaluate your case.
3. Meet with the attorneys
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, it’s time to schedule a consultation. These informative sessions can be had over the phone or in person, depending on the law firm and your condition post-collision. Some attorneys are even willing to travel to your home to discuss your case with you.
Meeting with potential attorneys allows you to ask questions about the lawyer who would handle your case and the legal proceedings that may be involved.
Some questions to ask during the initial consultation include:
- What is the firm’s current workload?
- How much time and resources can the lawyer dedicate to your case?
- Does he or she have a network of experts to help evaluate and build your case?
- What is the client-attorney relationship like?
- How much involvement in the case proceedings is required of you?
- How often will updates be communicated to you?
- How much experience does the lawyer have representing truck accident victims?
- How experienced is the lawyer with negotiation and litigation?
- What has that law firm’s success rate been in receiving compensation for clients?
- What is the lawyer’s contingency fee?
- How responsive is the lawyer to your needs?
Some questions can be asked of the lawyer directly and some are for you to evaluate. This list is not exhaustive. There may be other questions you would like to ask him or her. Get as much information as you can to be in a better position to weigh your options.
Understand Your Truck Accident Settlement Goal
Besides asking the right questions, discussing your settlement will show whether you and the personal injury lawyer are on the same page. Do you wish to settle your case as quickly as possible out of court, or are you willing to take this case to trial? Perhaps a few of the lawyers on your list would like to handle your case in a way you don’t prefer.
Have a clear idea of your goal before you go into a consultation with truck accident lawyers. You want to be sure that they are willing and ready to take the same approach. A lawyer who understands your expectations for receiving compensation from the insurance company will do his or her best to achieve the desired outcome.
What to Look for in a Personal Injury Lawyer
The process of looking for a good truck accident lawyer and filing a claim can be draining, especially if you are suffering from personal injuries at the time. Thus, the right lawyer to represent you should not only be knowledgeable and experienced but also someone you can trust and feel at ease with.
Please weigh the following factors to narrow down your list of potential attorneys.
1. Experience
Examining a truck accident lawyer’s experience and track record will give you a good idea of how he or she may fight for your case. If you find a personal injury lawyer who has succeeded in cases similar to yours, you could request feedback from previous clients.
Finding relevant reviews online may prove to be a challenge. However, if you would like more information, you can ask potential truck accident lawyers for referrals or testimonials. The results of their previous truck accident cases will be a good indicator of the type of compensation you may receive.
2. Negotiation skills
Each state in the US has different laws regarding compensation after a truck accident. Depending on where you live and the circumstances of your case, you might not be eligible for certain types of compensation.
A good truck accident lawyer, though, will gather facts and evidence surrounding your case. The lawyer needs to understand the law of the state and strategize to build a convincing argument for the compensation you deserve.
3. Trial experience
To increase your chance of success, you want to have a lawyer by your side with outstanding negotiation skills and experience with litigation.
Some lawyers will try to settle out of court as quickly as possible, whereas some may want to maximize their contingency fee by winning a good compensation for you in court.
Two ways you can find out about a lawyer’s courtroom experience are:
- Google – Search for the lawyer’s name and look into any articles, firms, or trial cases associated with the name
- Court records – Search the court record system for your jurisdiction and read through the decisions of each case
You want a lawyer who will expend his or her energy and resources to get you the compensation you deserve. You can be more confident with a lawyer who has courtroom experience by your side.
4. Affordable terms of payment
Many personal injury lawyers work on a contingency basis. This means the lawyer only receives a percentage of your settlement once the case is won. Under such an agreement, you will not have to pay the personal injury lawyer any legal fees until a successful outcome is reached.
With these payment terms, the lawyer is most at risk since he or she will not get paid if the case is lost. Thus, if a lawyer is willing to take on your case after careful evaluation, it may mean there is a good chance your claim will be won.
A personal injury lawyer’s contingency fee commonly averages between 33 percent and 40 percent of the compensation the client receives. However, there may be additional fees for certain expenses, or there may be an increase in the contingency fee if your case goes to trial.
Understanding the full cost of working with a potential truck accident lawyer is crucial. Ask the lawyer about the payment terms and get the agreement in writing.
Meet the Statute of Limitations for Filing Your Claim
Selecting a good truck accident lawyer can require extensive research. Use your time wisely, though, and make sure that you don’t miss the deadline to file your claim.
Each state in the US has a statute of limitations, a time limit, to file a personal injury claim. If you miss the deadline, the court may bar you from filing against the at-fault truck driver or trucking company.
Contact Our Truck Accident Lawyers Today
At Judd Shaw Injury Law, we’re determined to fight for truck accident victims and achieve the best possible results. That’s why we introduced the Judd Shaw Way—our promise that helps ensure every client receives the highest level of service available.
To schedule your free case evaluation with no obligation and our No Fee Guarantee®, call 1-866-909-6894 or complete our online contact form. Remember, you don’t pay us anything until your case is won.