When you need to hire a truck accident lawyer to handle your injury claim, there are certain things you should look for in the one who will take on your case. Hiring the right lawyer can make the difference in whether you get the compensation you deserve.
Top Qualities to Look for in a Truck Accident Lawyer
You should talk with several lawyers before you make a decision about who will represent you. Here are some of the main aspects to look for when you are considering who to hire as your truck accident lawyer:
- Experience handling tractor-trailer accident claims.
The trucking industry has to follow strict laws about things like the number of hours a trucker is allowed to drive. A violation of these regulations can be negligence. The purpose of these laws is to protect the general public from the harm that can happen when someone who is driving a large truck is drowsy, impaired, or unsafe in some other manner.
- Knows how to work with large trucking companies.
Your truck accident lawyer needs to know about the kinds of records that trucking companies have to maintain and how to get those records after an accident. That information can be vital to proving your case and establishing negligence.
- Can work with accident reconstruction experts.
Tractor-trailer accidents often involve more than two vehicles. In these situations, the lawyers might need to call in an accident reconstruction expert to prove the sequence of events, how fast the truck was going, or other pertinent facts. Your lawyer needs to know how to work with these experts on your case.
- Aggressive.
Trucking companies have to carry more liability insurance than the driver of a typical passenger car. The trucker’s insurance company will have a team of professionals defending against your claim. Your truck accident lawyer has to be able to advocate aggressively for you to get the compensation that you deserve.
- Integrity.
Some personal injury lawyers bring in a high volume of cases and settle them quickly for very little money. You need a lawyer who will devote as much work as it takes to get you a fair settlement or verdict.
- Communication.
You want a lawyer who will keep you updated on significant developments in your case. You should have a law firm that treats you as a person, not a number.
- Cares about what happens to you.
No one wants to feel as if they do not matter. Your lawyer should not make you feel like it is an inconvenience when you call or ask questions. At S. Burke Law, we take the time to get to know our clients. We deliver personal, attentive service. We know that you are already going through a difficult time, and we want to help you.
Depending on the facts of your situation, you might need to explore additional issues.
Four Questions to Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer
Do not be afraid to ask questions when you talk with lawyers about handling your case. A good truck accident lawyer will welcome your questions. You should make a list of the issues you are not sure about. To get you started, here are four of the many questions you might want to ask the lawyer:
- How long have you been practicing law, and how long have you been handling personal injury cases?
You do not want someone fresh out of law school who has never handled a personal injury case.
- What are your main areas of practice?
At S. Burke Law, we only handle personal injury cases. A lawyer who takes any case that walks in the door will not have the focus or experience of a lawyer who devotes their practice to one area.
- Do you have experience handling truck accident cases and understand the laws that the trucking industry is supposed to obey?
A lawyer who has never handled a truck accident case likely does not know about the special regulations that truckers and companies have to follow or the records to obtain to build your case.
- Have you handled cases similar to mine, and, if so, what were the results?
An experienced truck accident lawyer will be happy to tell you about the settlements and verdicts she has won for her clients.
Every situation is unique, and you will want to ask the questions that fit your circumstances.
Getting Legal Help for Your Truck Accident Injury Claim
At S. Burke Law, we welcome your questions about our firm. We are proud of our track record of helping people who get hurt because of the carelessness of others. We care about our clients. We fight hard to get them all the money they deserve so that they can rebuild their lives. You will never be a number to us. We treat our clients like family. We want you to know what to look for in a truck accident lawyer.
Call us today at (404) 842-7838 for a free consultation and case evaluation.