Getting involved in a truck accident can be pretty devastating and can have a huge impact on your life. It could cause you to spend so much on medical treatments and even require you to take time off from work. If you were driving and your car got damaged, you’ll also need to think about its repair. All of these issues can take a heavy toll on your emotional and mental health.
During this challenging period, having a truck accident lawyer by your side can make things easier. The truck accident lawyer will help with dealing with the insurance companies and ensuring you get fair compensation. However, the outcome of such a legal process depends on how good the legal professional you hire is. Therefore, in this article, we will discuss certain things you need to consider when choosing a truck accident lawyer.
Truck Accident Experience
A common mistake people make is to assume that all lawyers are the same. That is not true, as these professionals specialize in different types of cases. Even those who focus on car accident cases might not be well-equipped to manage truck accident cases.
The reason is that these accidents are usually more complex. The vehicles are bigger, the damage is greater, and the laws are different. Therefore, only an attorney who has practical experience will know what to do. They’ll know the evidence to gather and will possess the skills to deal with trucking companies and insurers.
Here are some things to check:
- Are truck accidents mentioned on the lawyer’s website?
- Have they handled similar cases in the past?
- Can they properly explain how truck accident cases are different from car accident cases?
Ask About Their Success Rate
The primary reason why you hire a legal professional is for them to get you positive results, usually adequate compensation. Therefore, it’s important that you find out about their success rate with similar cases. If they have a high success rate, it’s a sign that they can do the same for you.
These are some questions you should ask:
- How many of these types of cases have you handled?
- How many were successful?
- What’s the average compensation amount your clients have been awarded?
Make Sure they Handle Cases Like Yours
We’ve said this passively, but let’s shine the spotlight on it this time. You need to understand that even among truck accident cases, you will still find many differences. As unique as each of these cases is, some of them still have certain similarities, such as damage sustained, loss of income, etc.
It is very important that you hire someone who has handled a case similar to yours. For instance, if your car got totaled and you suffered permanent injuries, you need someone who has dealt with such a case. This will make it easier for them to know what to do and how to recover the damages.
Common damages involved in cases like this include:
- Medical bills
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Permanent injuries
- Damages to your car
You can learn more about accident and injury claims here.
You should ask the attorney what they think are the damages applicable to your case. This is important because each case is unique, as we already mentioned. If the legal counsel doesn’t seem to know, they aren’t fit for the job.
Choose a Lawyer Who Has Time for You
Some lawyers take on too many cases at the same time. As a result, they end up being too busy to focus on just one client. Therefore, before you hire someone, find out what their current caseload size is. Doing this will help you determine whether they will have time for you and give full attention to your claim.
The following are signs that the attorney has enough time:
- They quickly answer your calls.
- They clearly answer your questions.
- They are organized and prepared.
If you notice that they are always distracted or in a rush, you might as well get another attorney to represent you.
Pick Someone Willing to Go to Court
Usually, these issues are settled out of court; however, some of them do go to court. If the liable insurance company and parties offer a low settlement amount, your legal counsel can take the matter to court. This is where having an attorney with court experience comes in handy. They will be ready to go to court to ensure you are adequately compensated.
Ask the lawyer these questions:
- How many of your cases did you take to court?
- What were the outcomes of those trials?
- Will you prepare my case as if it might go to court?
If their answers do not inspire confidence, showing their willingness to go to court, don’t hire them. This is because they might end up pushing you to accept a lowball offer. On the other hand, if they show a willingness to go to court, it can influence the insurers to increase their settlement offer.
Look for Good Communication Skills
Legal jargon can be confusing to the average person. That is why you need someone who can easily break down everything in simple and understandable terms. With proper communication, both parties are carried along during the process. You can visit https://www.betterup.com/ to learn how to improve your communication skills.
When you meet them for the first time, it’s important that you pay attention to how they speak. Do they clearly explain legal terms when they bring them up? How patient are they in answering your questions?
You should also ask them the following:
- Will you provide updates on the case on a regular basis? How often will that be?
- If I have a question, how can I reach you?
- Will I be working directly with you or your assistant?
The answers they give you tell you what to expect when you work with them.
Conclusion
Choosing a truck accident lawyer might seem like a big task. But when you know what to look for, the job gets easier. Focus on experience, results, and communication. That way, you’ll find someone who truly has your back and will fight to get you what you deserve.
