Are you searching for a truck accident lawyer who can get results?
Truck accidents are horrific. The injuries can be catastrophic. Medical bills skyrocket in a matter of days and dealing with the insurance companies and attorneys can feel like you’re losing your mind.
The good news is there are plenty of lawyers out there who can take on your truck accident case. But here’s the problem…
Not all truck accident attorneys are created equal.
If you’ve been involved in a crash with a big rig or commercial vehicle you need someone with the right qualities and experience to handle your claim.
Let’s cover:
- Why Truck Accident Cases Require Special Attention
- 5 Qualities Every Truck Accident Attorney Should Have
- Reviewing Your Legal Options
- Questions To Ask When Hiring
Why Truck Accident Cases Require Special Attention
Regular car accident claims are complex enough. Throw in massive 18 wheelers and you’ve got your work cut out for you.
Big rigs kill thousands of Americans every year and recent data shows large truck fatal accidents have increased almost 50% over the past decade. What’s worse is that occupants of the other vehicle make up over 70% of the fatalities in these crashes.
That’s scary stuff.
Truck accidents are different because they involve more parties. Truck drivers can be liable, but typically the trucking company is on the hook. There are multiple insurance companies at fault and some cases even involve the manufacturer of the big rig.
If your vehicle needs car repair after an accident with a semi, you’re in for one headache after another. When looking for experienced charlotte truck accident attorneys it’s crucial that you understand what makes truck accident cases different. A competent truck accident lawyer knows how to deal with these unique situations and work with you to get the compensation you deserve.
This includes knowing:
- Trucking regulations from federal agencies like the FMCSA
- How to handle difficult insurance adjusters
- What a realistic settlement could look like based on your injuries
Get any of these things wrong and you could be leaving money on the table.
5 Qualities Every Truck Accident Attorney Should Have
Okay, so truck accident cases require special attention. But what qualities should you look for when choosing your attorney?
Know Trucking Regulations Inside & Out
You don’t need to be a truck driver to know your way around trucking regulations.
Big rig drivers and trucking companies are regulated by federal agencies like the FMCSA. These rules dictate:
- Hours of service drivers are allowed to be behind the wheel
- Vehicle inspections and maintenance procedures
- How much weight a truck can haul and what type of cargo
- Electronic logging device regulations
If your truck accident attorney doesn’t understand these regulations, they could be missing important evidence.
Experienced With Truck Accident Investigations
Handling a truck accident claim requires an in-depth investigation.
Your attorney should know how to preserve evidence before it’s gone. That means everything from the black box data to eyewitness testimonies.
Big trucking companies have legal teams ready to protect themselves as soon as an accident happens. They don’t want to pay you one red penny.
You need an attorney who specializes in truck accidents and will fight tirelessly to protect your rights.
Exceptional Negotiation Skills
Negotiation skills are important in every type of personal injury case but they’re crucial when it comes to truck accidents.
Why?
Most of these claims don’t even go to court. Your ability to negotiate with insurance companies can determine how much you get compensated.
Insurance companies love offering quick settlements to victims. They know you’ll probably take the money without knowing what you should actually be paid.
An attorney who knows how to push back can change the outcome of your settlement.
Will Go To Trial If Necessary
I mentioned that truck accident claims usually settle out of court. But that doesn’t mean your attorney shouldn’t take your case to trial.
You want someone who will push for a settlement but is willing to go the distance if need be.
Insurance companies don’t want to go to court either. Having an attorney on your side who is willing to take them to trial increases your chances of winning considerably.
Have Resources To Take On Big Insurance Companies
Do you know who loves large truck accident claims?
Big insurance companies and trucking companies that have teams of attorneys ready to fight you.
You need an attorney who has the resources to fight back. That means access to accident reconstructionists, medical experts, and private investigators.
You’ll lose if you go against these companies alone.
Reviewing Your Legal Options
When you start looking for an attorney to handle your truck accident case you’ll notice that there are a lot of options out there.
But not all of them have the qualities we mentioned above. Here are a couple of things you should review:
- How many truck accident cases have they handled?
- How many of those cases have gone to trial?
You want to hire someone that specializes in truck accident claims and isn’t afraid to go to court.
Ask Questions
Before you hire any attorney, you should ask questions.
Questions about their experience:
- How many truck accident cases have you worked on?
- What percentage of your practice is truck accident related?
- How many truck accident cases have you taken to trial?
Questions about my case:
- Who will be working on my case?
- What do you think my case is worth?
- How long do you expect my case to take?
Questions about their fees:
- Do you work on a contingency fee basis?
- If we lose, am I responsible for any costs?
- Are there any hidden fees I should be aware of?
You want someone who will give you straight answers. A quality attorney won’t try to pressure you into hiring them.
Red Flags To Avoid When Hiring
Believe it or not, some attorneys will promise the world and deliver squat.
Here are a few red flags to avoid:
- Promising you a specific dollar amount
- Pressuring you to make quick decisions
- Lacking truck accident case experience
- Not explaining their fee structure
- Doesn’t have time to sit down with you
If they display any of these behaviors during your consultation, walk away. Trust your gut.
Why You Need To Act Fast
Last but not least, you shouldn’t wait to hire an attorney.
Big rigs have electronic monitors that get wiped quickly. Companies will move to repair or even destroy vehicles right after an accident. Witnesses lose memory of the event.
The longer you wait, the more evidence you lose.
Hiring an attorney quickly allows them to preserve evidence and give you peace of mind while you focus on recovering.
Wrapping It Up
When you wake up after a serious truck accident, the last thing you want to think about is hiring an attorney. But that appointment shouldn’t wait.
Here’s a quick recap:
- Make sure they know trucking regulations
- Inquire about their truck accident experience
- They should be good negotiators with trial experience
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions
- Act quickly to preserve evidence
Hiring the right attorney will allow you to focus on what’s really important; spending time with your family and friends while you recover.
