Truck accidents could lead to severe property damage and devastating injuries. According to a study, truck accidents lead to an average financial loss of $195,258 per accident. If you sustain injuries from a truck accident, hiring an attorney will help you get the compensation you deserve.
Your lawyer will protect your rights, represent you in court hearings, help you file your claim, and seek benefits from the insurance company. They will also give you the legal protection and guidance you need to win your case.
However, there are things you should consider before hiring truck accident lawyers. These include:
- The Attorney’s Area of Specialty
A reputable and skilled attorney will help you through this challenging phase of your life. However, before hiring an attorney, it’s essential to check their area of specialization. Personal injury law is broad, and there are numerous facets covered under its umbrella.
Some of these facets include medical malpractice, car accidents, animal attack, product liability, and wrongful death. One attorney can’t have comprehensive knowledge and experience in all these facets of personal injury law. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that your attorney handles cases similar to yours.
For example, an attorney specializing in product liability may not be well equipped to handle your truck accident case.
- Their Level of Experience
Your attorney’s level of experience is also an essential factor to consider. A lawyer with a few decades of experience will have a higher probability of achieving better results and getting you a fair settlement than an inexperienced one. They will also have a better understanding of the legal system and how the law court proceedings go.
A more experienced lawyer is also less likely to make the mistakes an inexperienced attorney would make. They will know any bumps along the way and how to avoid them, giving you a higher chance of winning your case.
Before hiring an attorney, ensure you ask them about how long they have been practicing. Truck accident lawsuits are quite complicated. Thus, having an experienced attorney on your side is a great asset.
- Is Your Legal Problem Short-Term or Long-Term?
Before running off to ask your friends and family members for recommendations and referrals, ensure you consider your current legal needs. There are a few questions you need to answer before considering a lawyer. These questions include:
- Why do I need a lawyer
- How complex is my legal issue
- Is this something I can handle on my own
- How will a lawyer help me with this problem
The answers to the above questions will help you pinpoint your problem and identify whether you really need legal help or not. Find out whether you will need short-term or long-term assistance.
This also depends on what you’d like the attorney to assist you with. For example, you may just need a lawyer to consult on your truck accident case or legal advice to help you out of a situation. You may only need to schedule a consultation with an attorney or hire them for a short period of time in such a case.
- Availability
An attorney’s availability is also an essential factor. You want to work with an attorney who is available to handle your case.
Do they have enough time to work on your lawsuit? How is the lawyer’s current caseload?
You don’t want to hand over your case to an overworked attorney without enough time to work on your case. They may also not be effective, which reduces your chances of a fair settlement.
- Their Testimonials and Reviews
If you were involved in a truck accident and looking for an attorney to represent you in the accident case, you will meet numerous attorneys who claim that they are better equipped to handle your case. Don’t just take their word for it. Look for ways to validate their claims.
The only way to do this is by checking their references and reviews. Check the attorney’s website and other third-party sites such as Yelp and Google review pages for client reviews. You can also ask the attorney to give you some references of past clients who would be comfortable talking to you.
When talking to their past clients, below are essential questions to ask:
- How satisfied were you with the way Attorney X handled your case
- Did they achieve the results you wanted
- How often did they communicate with you regarding the progress of your case
- How well did they negotiate with the insurance company
The attorney’s client reviews and the answers to the above questions will help you understand how they handle their clients. Additionally, if you have friends and family members who have been in your position, ask them about their experiences with their attorney. They could help you get a reliable attorney to handle your case.
- The Location of the Attorney or Law Firm
Road accident laws vary from one state to another. Thus, it’s essential to find an attorney in your state who specializes in car accident cases. That’s because they will be familiar with your state’s car accident laws and the requirements for determining fault.
If you live in a rural town with limited legal resources, you should consider using other communication methods such as email and phone calls to communicate with potential attorneys. However, this is only effective if your case is not complex.
Sometimes, road accidents may be quite complicated. The complexity of such legal matters can take a long time. So, it’s important to discuss your case with your lawyer in person.
This will help you develop the trusted, personal and professional relationship you need to work well together. Thus, the location of your lawyer is essential.
- Their Success Rate
During the initial consultation, remember to ask your attorney about their success rate. Your initial consultation will help you gauge whether the lawyer is a good fit or not. That’s because you will have an opportunity to ask about their level of experience and area of expertise.
This is also an excellent opportunity to check out the attorney’s personality. Ask them about the recent cases they handled and their overall success rate. Remember to also ask about the results of any cases they handled similar to yours.
If the lawyer has a higher success rate in cases similar to yours, they could be the right fit for you. They will have a higher chance of achieving satisfying results.
- The Size of Their Firm
You should take your lawyer’s firm size into consideration when making a decision. Most often, larger, more established law firms have more resources than smaller firms. But they are also more expensive.
On the other hand, smaller law firms often offer their clients a more personalized experience. However, they will have limited resources to handle your case.
- Compatibility
How compatible are you with your attorney?
You want to find a lawyer with whom you can communicate well and who also shares the same goals as you do. You should find an attorney that is knowledgeable in your field of expertise so they have an understanding of how important this is to you.
Check your attorney’s character and personality to determine if you are comfortable working with them.
Being involved in a truck accident is a scary experience. Therefore, you will need a trustworthy lawyer who makes you feel comfortable during this difficult moment in your life.
Mutual respect is also important. You don’t want your case to be handled by an insensitive individual who doesn’t respect their clients. This will be a source of additional stress.
Lawsuits surrounding truck accidents can take months to resolve, so selecting a good lawyer is essential. They should be thorough and work hard on your behalf in order to get you the compensation that suits your situation.
- Attorney Fees
When choosing an attorney, it is crucial to inquire about their fee and how they charge. Compare prices with other local attorneys in your area and settle on the right one for your budget.
However, you need to determine how much you’re willing to spend on attorney fees before setting out to hire an attorney. Check different attorney’s and law firms’ websites and find their contact information. Then, email them and ask for a quote and their billing strategy.
Some law firms charge hourly rates, while others prefer a flat rate for their work. Some lawyers may also charge on a contingency basis or require a retainer. However, it’s best to go with an attorney who charges on a contingency basis.
Remember to ask the attorney whether the quote they send you also includes other expenses related to your case. Such expenses may include traveling expenses, document filing, and shipping expenses. Unfortunately, most attorneys don’t include these additional expenses in their fees. Thus, the client is required to pay for them separately.
If you’re unsatisfied with the pricing and the quote sent by the attorney or their fees don’t meet your budget, you can look around for a lawyer who is within your budget. When you finally find the right attorney, ensure you talk with them about their pricing terms and ask as many questions as possible.
Remember to also get a confirmation of all the billing and expenses in a written agreement. This will help you to avoid potential future problems.
Comparing lawyer fees will help you settle on the best attorney based on your budget. However, remember to also consider other factors before hiring an attorney.
- Communication skills
Great communication goes in hand with your attorney’s availability and compatibility. Your attorney’s communication skills are an essential factor to consider. Between meetings with the insurance company and filing paperwork for the case, most attorneys often find themselves falling out of touch with their clients. Before you hire an attorney, it is important to know whether or not they take the time to communicate with their clients and how often they do. Ensure you establish frequent and proactive communication from the beginning of your case. This way, you will not have instances where you can’t reach your attorney, or you have no idea about the progress of your case. It’s also essential to find an attorney who will update you regularly about the progress of your case. They should be able to translate the complicated legal jargon into a language that you can understand.
Ensure that you talk to your attorney about their communication preferences. Ask if they prefer phone or email, and find out what hours they are available for after-hours contact.
Great communication skills are required, not only in court but also when negotiating and meeting with the insurance company. Your attorney will represent you in court if the insurance company denies your claim. Thus, you will want to work with someone who can easily stand up in court to defend you.
Now You Know What to Consider Before Hiring Truck Accident Lawyers
A truck accident is one of the scariest experiences for most individuals. Additionally, the events after the accident could be challenging and emotionally draining if you sustained a truck accident injury. Thus, it’s essential to hire an attorney to help you get fair compensation.
But with so many options for hiring truck accident lawyers, you may feel overwhelmed. Therefore, it’s essential to consider the above eight factors when hiring truck accident attorneys. The above tips will help you find an attorney who fits your budget and needs, giving you the peace of mind that your case is in good hands.
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