Hiring an attorney specializing in truck accident claims is always best to ensure you get fair compensation for your injuries. They can identify all the damages you have suffered and demand compensation for pain and suffering if your injuries have caused a great deal of physical or emotional pain. Additionally, they can demand compensation for medical bills, reduced earning capacity, lost income, disability, mental distress, diminished quality of life, punitive damages, and more.
Choosing a truck accident lawyer can be daunting, especially if you don't know what to look for. Successful truck accident lawyers possess certain qualities you'll want to consider when deciding. Always opt for a lawyer with extensive experience and an impressive success rate over inexperienced ones who have just worked on a handful of cases.
In 2020 alone, 15 percent of work zone injury crashes and 26 percent of work zone fatal crashes involved a large truck. Big trucks can cause significant injury and damage when they collide with smaller vehicles. If you're interested in a truck accident, you'll want to engage the services of an experienced truck accident lawyer to pursue your case and increase your chances of getting fair compensation for your injuries or property damage.
Qualities to Look for When Choosing a Truck Accident Lawyer
Here are some of the qualities to look out for when choosing a truck accident lawyer:
1. Experience in Handling Truck Accident Claims
Choose a lawyer with extensive experience in handling truck accident claims. While you don't have to choose a lawyer who exclusively litigates truck accident injury claims, ensure this is one of their areas of expertise. Knowing they understand the laws that apply to your truck accident claim will give you peace of mind, and you will handle it with skill and confidence. Ask them about the statute of limitations that apply to your case to get an idea of whether or not they are familiar with similar cases.
2. Success Rate
Good lawyers usually track their ongoing success rate, which measures how many claims they win and how much compensation they help clients obtain for their injuries. Asking for a truck accident lawyer's success rate will give you peace of mind knowing they have a proven track record.
3. Caseload
The amount of cases the lawyer is working on currently is an important consideration when choosing a truck accident lawyer. If the lawyer has a lot of work, they will likely not devote adequate time and attention to your case. Consider a lawyer with a light to moderate caseload to ensure they have the energy and resources to pursue your claim. The caseload will matter even more if your case goes to trial since litigating a court case takes great preparation, time, and effort.
4. Cost
Most lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, so they won't charge you until you receive your settlement. If they win your case, they take a percentage of your total jury-awarded payment or compensation. It's best to choose a lawyer who offers a contingency fee agreement to ensure you won't pay any out-of-pocket expenses should your case end up unsuccessful.
5. Willingness to Pursue a Settlement
Sometimes insurance companies offer an early, low-ball settlement to resolve your claim quickly and avoid hefty compensation. Choose a truck accident lawyer willing to take their time to fight for a fair settlement.
6. Trial Experience
If you fail to settle with the insurance company, you may need to take your claim to court. So, hiring a truck accident attorney with extensive experience in taking claims to trial is important. When dealing with the principle of comparative fault, you need a skilled lawyer to defend you against any allegations from the defendant's lawyers, who might try to shift blame to you and hold you responsible for the incident.
7. Compatibility
Working with a truck accident lawyer whom you're compatible with may put your mind at ease. You want to hire someone helpful, supportive, understanding, and on your side. You should feel comfortable asking them questions about your case. They should also keep you up to date every step of the way.
8. Past Client Reviews or Testimonials
A reputable law firm will include sections on its website for client testimonials. These pages can be an important resource when vetting potential attorneys. But if the firm excludes negative reviews and favors testimonials highlighting their strengths and successes, you should look again. Investigating third-party websites and forums not directly connected to the law firm you're considering might also be helpful.
