A semi-truck accident can leave you with permanent injuries and devastating financial losses. If the accident was not your fault, you should seek legal representation. Knowing what to look for in a truck accident attorney can help you choose a legal advocate who will prioritize your interests and assess your case with honesty and wisdom. Scroll down to explore some key characteristics of competent truck accident attorneys.
How to Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer
When you’re injured in a semi-truck accident, you’ll want to find a good attorney quickly to prevent mistakes that could harm your ability to recover compensation. This makes it important to know what to look for in a truck accident attorney. If you choose a lawyer with minimal experience handling truck cases or without sufficient resources to fully investigate and prosecute your claim, you’ll be at a disadvantage.
Create a short list of truck accident attorneys in your area by asking for referrals from friends or family members, researching truck collision attorneys online, and checking the Missouri State Bar’s attorney directory. This directory shows whether a lawyer you’re considering is in good standing or if they have received public discipline. Don’t choose a lawyer based on television or radio advertisements. Instead, you should research carefully to see what their reputation, experience, and track record are before moving forward. Once you have a small list of four to five attorneys, schedule consultations with each one. Truck accident lawyers offer free consultations, so you should take advantage of those meetings to evaluate a potential attorney’s skills, demeanor, and characteristics.
1. Experience
A truck accident lawyer should have significant legal experience. Truck accidents are complex and require thorough investigations and in-depth knowledge of relevant trucking regulations from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). Look at the lawyer’s website to see when they were first licensed. At your consultation, ask how many years they have handled truck accident claims and whether they have handled any cases with similar fact patterns to yours. Your attorney should have years of legal experience, including specific experience handling truck accident claims. You don’t want to hire someone green to handle your case.
2. Strong Reputation
A good attorney should have a strong reputation as a dedicated, fierce advocate for truck accident victims. When trucking companies and insurance companies know a plaintiff’s lawyer has a reputation as a highly skilled attorney, they are more likely to make fair settlement offers. Check each lawyer’s reputation by reading online reviews from former clients.
3. Sufficient Resources
Truck accident cases can be lengthy and complex, requiring attorneys to complete thorough investigations and work with accident reconstruction experts, medical experts, investigators, and other professionals to build strong claims. Since most truck accident lawyers work for contingent fees, your attorney must have enough resources to investigate your case thoroughly. You don’t want to hire a lawyer who simply tries to settle your case as fast as possible without investigating because that might result in receiving a lower settlement than you deserve. Ask a prospective attorney about their resources and how they plan to handle your case and its investigation.
4. Deep Legal Knowledge
The right truck accident lawyer must have extensive knowledge of laws affecting the trucking industry in Missouri, including state laws and federal regulations. They should also understand the procedures personal injury cases follow and the statute of limitations that applies to your case. A good lawyer should be able to explain the legal issues involved in your case and break them down in a way you can understand.
5. Honest
A good lawyer should be honest and upfront about the strengths and weaknesses of your case. Avoid any lawyer who makes guarantees about your case’s outcome or how much you will receive in a settlement or verdict. You want a lawyer who will be honest with you about your case, including whether your claim has legal merits.
6. Good Communication Skills
If you’re wondering what to look for in a truck accident attorney, good communication skills should definitely be near the top of the list. Your lawyer should be compassionate, listen to your concerns, and explain things clearly. You want to hire someone who is a good communicator because they will be representing you when negotiating with the insurance company and should keep you updated about the status of your case throughout their representation of you.
7. Trial Experience and Track Record
Ask a lawyer about their trial experience and the outcome of their truck accident cases. Your attorney should have plenty of trial experience in case you’re unable to reach a negotiated settlement.
Talk to the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave
If you’re searching for a truck accident lawyer after being seriously injured, you should schedule a consultation with an attorney at the Law Offices of Bryan Musgrave. We have a quarter-century of experience fighting for the rights of injured truck accident victims and can help you understand the merits of your potential claim. Call us today for a free case evaluation at 417-322-2222 or contact us online.