Getting into an accident with a truck can be a horrible experience. Large trucks can cause much more damage than small cars. Data shows that in 2021, approximately 5700 people experienced horrendous truck wrecks within the USA. And when the number of accidents is greater than in the past, there are probable chances that it will happen to you too.
The question is, will you get the help you need after it happens?
Finding the right truck wreck attorney is critical to get the settlement you deserve. Read on to learn seven questions you should ask before deciding on an attorney to hire.
The cost will be a major factor in your choice of a truck accident attorney. If you’re like most people, who don’t have much money to spend on a lawyer, that means lengthy cases that require you to pay them hourly probably won’t be your cup of tea.
There are also situations when you only need a few forms filled out, for which he might charge a flat fee for the service.
While that may work for some situations, you may want to look for one whose charges are based on a contingency. In this situation, you won’t pay them any money unless they win. Even better — their fee will come from the settlement, which means you have no upfront costs to hire a lawyer.
If you carry strong bad luck with you, there might be a chance that you might find someone that does not give the required attention to your case. The person you hire already has a ton of work, and instead of denying your case because of that, they take it on just because they want the business.
The problem is that he will likely be overloaded and unable to pay attention to all the details. Make sure the person you hire has the bandwidth for the work, or at the very least, has help available to take on some of the load.
Hiring an advocate with experience in such cases is essential. It isn’t enough to have general legal and accident experience. There are things that make truck misfortunes unique, so hiring the right one with that experience will give you a leg up.
Before hiring, ask them if they have handled cases similar to yours. They should have a track record of winning and getting good client settlements.
Check out the information on Alpha Accident Lawyers to learn more about specialized truck accident lawyers.
There may be some situations with misshappenings when you won’t be able to get a settlement. Most of the time, this isn’t an issue — the insurance company will cover all the damages without a hassle. But that won’t always happen if the insurance provider believes it can save money by denying your claim.
You may need to visit the court in these situations. It’s essential to win in these situations because you may face several medical expenses and need help handling them.
On top of that, a trial advocate will have a history of winning in court. This means the insurance company may be more willing to play ball instead of facing someone experienced in the courtroom.
Knowing what your attorney expects from you is critical to understanding. Some of them want their clients to be hands-on with their cases. This is important if the case is complex and needs input from you.
However, some of them want their clients to be hands-off. You may be recovering from your mishap because of injury, so you may not need the stress of looking at your court case.
Figure this out before you hire someone to make sure you have the right expectations.
Communication is critical in an accident case. You’re waiting to hear what settlement to expect in your suit. You need this money to help repair your car and deal with medical expenses.
You don’t want to be left out to dry by your attorney. Ideally, you should hear regular updates from your lawyer about what’s happening. You should also get a response in under 24 hours if you have a question.
Many of them will answer phone calls, but others prefer to respond by text and email. Learn about their preferences and if you can accept those communication methods.
Before you make a decision, it’s important to learn what other people think of their services. It’s not uncommon for attorneys to give a great sales pitch but then offer poor service once they sign a client.
Ask a counsel to offer references from people willing to talk about this. Speaking to previous clients will give you a chance to learn the good and bad about working with your chosen one.
If there isn’t anyone who wants to speak in person, you can also check online. Countless review websites allow people to rate the lawyers they work with.
You’re dealing with a stressful time after your misadventure. You have to deal with car damage, medical issues, and the insurance company. Unfortunately, things won’t always go your way and cause even more stress in your life.
This is why hiring a great wreck attorney is critical. You’ll get a partner dedicated to helping you through the process and getting you a fair settlement. Ask the questions above when vetting a truck accident lawyer to hire the right one for you that meets your expectations.
Did you find this guide helpful and want to learn more about dealing with other stressful life situations? Head back to the blog to read more great advice.