Selecting a Truck Accident Lawyer

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people are injured in truck accidents. In fact, a report by the NHTSA shows that over 4,842 large trucks were involved in an accident in the U.S. in 2020. While truck accidents can happen for various reasons, they often have one thing in common: they are devastating. If you or a loved one has been involved in a truck accident, you know how incredibly complicated and stressful the aftermath can be.

One of the most important decisions you will make during this time is choosing the right truck accident attorney to win your case. And with so many attorneys out there, how can you be sure you're making the best choice?

This guide will walk you through the process of choosing a truck accident attorney and explain what to look for. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a truck accident attorney.

Experience

You want an attorney who has experience handling truck accident cases. This type of case is very different from other motor vehicle accidents. There are different rules and regulations that apply to trucks, and your attorney should be familiar with them.

Your attorney should also have experience dealing with the trucking companies and the insurance agencies that insure these commercial vehicles. These insurance companies have teams of lawyers who are dedicated to denying or reducing claims to make money for their clients.

So, you need an attorney who is familiar with their tactics and knows how to counter them. Ideally, your attorney should have handled many truck accident cases with successful outcomes. You need someone with the experience and knowledge necessary to win your case and get you the compensation you deserve.

Success Rate

The attorney's success rate is important, but don't just focus on the number of cases won. Ask about the attorney's experience with cases like yours and whether they have taken any truck accident cases to trial.

A good attorney can give you an estimate of the likelihood of success in your case and what they think a fair settlement would be. If the attorney has a low success rate or is inexperienced in truck accident cases, you may want to consider another attorney.

The ideal success rate for an attorney is 100%, but that is not always realistic. A good attorney will have a success rate that shows you that they know what they are doing and has a good track record of winning cases.

They should also have no disciplinary cases filed against them with the state bar. You can check this by searching for the attorney's name on the state bar website.

Trial Experience

You need an attorney who has extensive trial experience. This is extremely important because if your case does go to trial, you want an attorney who knows what they're doing. The last thing you want is to have an attorney who's never been in front of a judge or jury before.

Taking a case to trial can be quite complex. There are a lot of moving pieces, and if your attorney doesn't have experience, they could end up botching the whole case. Make sure you ask your attorney how many cases they've taken to trial and what the results were. This will give you a good idea of their experience level and whether or not they're likely to win your case.

If your attorney has never taken a case to trial, that's not necessarily a deal-breaker. Just ensure they have some trial experience, even if it's just in another type of law.

Chemistry and Compatibility

You and your truck accident lawyer will be spending a lot of time together. They will also access some of the most intimate details about your life as they prepare your case. It is essential that you feel comfortable in their presence. You should also believe that they are competent enough to take on the big trucking company.

When interviewing potential attorneys, pay attention to whether or not you feel like they are truly listening to you and seem interested in helping you. Also, ask yourself if this is someone with whom you could easily develop a rapport.

Caseload

The amount of cases an attorney takes on is important. If they have too many, they may not be able to devote enough time to your individual case. This means they might be unable to keep track of all the important deadlines, or they may miss key aspects of your case.

On the other hand, if they have too few cases, they may not have the experience necessary to win your case. You want to find an attorney who has enough time to devote to your case but also has a good amount of experience. The ideal attorney will have a moderate caseload that allows them to focus on each individual client.

Price

Of course, you will want to find an attorney that you can afford. However, as the old saying goes, "you get what you pay for." This is often true when it comes to attorneys. The more experienced and successful an attorney is, the more they will charge. You don't want to choose the cheapest attorney you can find, as they may not have the experience necessary to win your case.

On the other hand, you also don't want to choose the most expensive attorney, as they may not be any better than a less expensive attorney. You will want to find an attorney who is reasonably priced and has a good amount of experience. Some lawyers will charge a contingency fee, or an upfront charge, while others charge a percentage of the settlement.

Hire the Best Truck Accident Attorney Today

These are just a few of the things you should consider when choosing an attorney for a truck accident case. Remember, this is an important decision, and you want to make sure you hire the right attorney to help you win your case.

If you're searching for a truck accident lawyer in Buena Park, CA, contact our office today for a free consultation. We would be happy to discuss your case with you.