So you’ve been involved in a truck accident. Whether it was your fault or not, you’re going to need a Truck Injury Lawyer on your side. Their experience and expertise are1 unrivaled and having somebody representing you put you in the best position to gain maximum compensation.
The only issue is that there’s no such thing as a Truck Injury Lawyer. Despite what many law firms and search engines will tell you, there are no lawyers that have officially specialized in ‘Truck Injury’. So who do you need to represent you if you’ve been in a truck collision?
Choosing the Right Lawyer For You
If you ever need legal help, the first step is determining which kind of lawyer you need. Always try and find an attorney that has experience in the practice area that your case is involved in. No matter how good they are, a lawyer that specializes in bankruptcy or property law isn’t the right choice to support your truck incident claim.
In this instance, we’d recommend finding a lawyer that has experience working in personal injury. Personal injury law covers disputes between injured parties and those they accuse of enabling that injury, so you or your loved one and the person(s) who are to blame for the truck accident.
Although not technically a Truck Injury Lawyer, an attorney with experience in personal injury will have all the skills needed to help you to make a successful claim.
Do Your Research
Once you’ve decided on the kind of lawyer you need, you can start the search to find the attorney you’ll be working with. Before making any kind of decision, carry out research on lawyers in your local area and find out as much about them as possible.
Websites like avvo.com give people the opportunity to rate their lawyers and leave positive or negative reviews. Browse attorneys by rating and read previous reviews from the people they’ve helped in the past. If it sounds like a reviewer successfully went through a similar situation to you, then that might be the attorney for you.
Compile a list of potential lawyers and use search engines to find out as much as possible about them. If you’re struggling to find suitable options, contact the local bar association as they’ll be able to point you in the direction of the right attorneys who can help.
Carry Out Interviews with Attorneys
When you’ve decided on an initial list of lawyers to choose from when making a truck injury claim, it’s time to meet them.
Whether by phone, email, or face-to-face, there are important questions you’ll need the answers to before deciding which to pick.
- What experience do they have? Have they ever represented someone in a similar position to you? What was the result of the case and if they won, how much did the claimants receive in compensation?
- Do they have any specialist knowledge or training? Other than a law degree, do they have any specific knowledge or training that could help you to win your case?
- What’s their record? Although it shouldn’t be the most important factor when it comes to making your decision, it’s useful to find out how good they are at their job. If they regularly lose cases and struggle to meet their client’s needs or expectations, they may not be the attorney for you.
- Costs? How much do they charge for their services? A higher fee doesn’t mean you have a better chance of success but a very low fee can suggest inexperience or incompetence. Do they charge by the hour or a flat rate? Can you negotiate?
- How long will the whole process take? It’s important to be realistic when it comes to claiming compensation. It can take months or years for a verdict or settlement to be reached. How long do they think the whole process could take?
- Are they available? Attorneys have very busy schedules so they may not be able to work on your case for some time. They may guarantee you their time but pass most of the work onto a junior or assistant colleague. Who will be your main contact with the firm?
- What is the likely outcome of the case? Although it might not be in their best interest to tell you, a good attorney will give you a good idea of how successful you might be. If winning the case will be a tough fight, it’s important to know ahead of time.
Sign a Contract
After you’re satisfied with the answers you’ve received from the attorney, it’s time to get everything in writing. Think about the budget you have available to spend and if possible, negotiate a fee with the attorney. Any extra work carried out by the attorney may be an additional cost so make sure you enquire about this to avoid any surprise fees.
Once agreed, you’ll be provided with an engagement letter or retainer from the attorney. This is the contract between both parties and should outline what is expected in terms of fees and services.
For more information on finding a Truck Injury Lawyer to suit your needs, feel free to get in touch or download our free guide which covers everything you need to know when it comes to filing an 18-wheeler claim.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended for general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.