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When you have been involved in a serious truck accident, you may have a million questions running through your mind. What should I do next? How should I handle my insurance company? Where do I find a trustworthy attorney? The next steps after a traumatic truck accident can seem overwhelming.
While you may know that you need to hire a personal injury lawyer to represent you after this life-changing accident, you may not know how to go about finding an experienced, dedicated truck accident attorney.
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The injuries sustained from being in a truck accident are statistically far more serious and fatal for the passengers in the car than for the driver of the truck. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 97% of deaths involving a truck and a passenger vehicle were the occupants of the passenger vehicle.
With such a traumatic experience that oftentimes results in physical and psychological trauma, choosing the right truck crash attorney to represent you is a significant decision that should be taken seriously. Giving yourself enough time to research is key to finding a good truck accident lawyer.
Before you begin your search for a truck accident attorney in the DC Metro area, you first may be asking yourself, “Is it worth hiring a truck accident lawyer?” And the answer to this question is yes.
A semi-truck accident case is usually more complicated than a regular car accident claim. Unlike a car crash, where either you, the other driver, or both parties can be held at fault for the accident, there could be multiple parties that could be held at fault for the accident. With more parties involved in the accident, the more complex a case can become.
In addition, the insurance on a truck is much higher than that of a regular passenger vehicle. Most trucks have insurance policies that are over $1 million. An insurance adjuster will do whatever they can to make sure they do not pay your claim for what it’s worth. You’ll need the experience and knowledge of a good truck accident attorney to negotiate with the truck’s insurance company on your behalf.
And finally, after a truck accident, the trucking company will immediately send a response team to the accident scene to start collecting evidence. The evidence they collect could be used against you to prove that you had some responsibility for the accident. You need to hire a truck accident lawyer immediately who will get the evidence needed to prove your claim before it disappears.
Once you realize why you need an attorney for your semi-truck crash, you may question what you should look for. Your truck accident lawyer should have the following qualities:
Remember, most semi-truck accident lawyers offer an initial free consultation. During this consultation, take the time to explain the accident and ask any questions about the lawyer’s experience.
Now that you know what to look for when searching for a semi-truck accident lawyer, you’re ready to find the right trucking accident lawyer for your case. Follow these steps:
Since the decision to choose a lawyer after a truck accident can be one of the most important decisions you will have, a great idea to start the process is by asking a close family member or friend who they would recommend to take on a truck accident case. It is possible that they have had personal experience from being in a motor vehicle accident and can refer you to their trusted lawyer. They could also refer you to an attorney that they have heard about who has a superior reputation.
When asking for a recommendation, tell your family member or friend what you are looking for in terms of experience, reputation, how reachable they are, and costs and fees. Someone that is close to you can give you their overall summary of their past experience, and you can decide if this is a lawyer that you want to pursue.
There are plenty of resources available online that will help you find a truck accident attorney. You can research lawyers through reputable lawyer directories, such as Martindale-Hubbell, Avvo, Best Lawyers, or Super Lawyers. These directories will allow you to narrow the area of practice to personal injury lawyers only, refine your location for a lawyer near you, and see their credentials. You can then check out the firm’s website and look through their reviews.
Start by researching an attorney’s experience and background. Ideally, you’ll want to find a lawyer who has been in a number of trials, and who has expertise in a truck accident case. Moreover, you will want someone who knows how to deal with insurance companies and has been doing this for quite some time. Plus, credentials, including education, awards, and associations, should be easily available on the attorney profile pages.
Another great place to look online would be a lawyer referral service from your state or local bar association. However, be aware that a lawyer referral service usually comes with a small fee.
After you’ve narrowed down the attorneys you are considering, schedule an initial consultation online or over the phone to discuss the details of your case. Personal injury firms usually offer no-cost consultations, so you can feel comfortable relaying the details of your accident and what to expect from this process at no cost to you.
At this point, you can go over your goals for your case. You may want to move quickly with little negotiation with the insurance company. Or, you may need to maximize your compensation, which could take a long period of time. The attorney will review their process, their contingency fee, and costs that they may have, including hiring witnesses or experts. These answers should provide clarity on whether you want to hire this attorney or look elsewhere.
The attorneys at Regan Zambri Long know just how difficult life can be after a truck accident. We know that physical and psychological trauma can be overwhelming. Importantly, our truck crash lawyers want to make this process as easy as possible so that you can get back to your normal life. If you or someone you love has been in a truck accident that resulted in injuries, do not hesitate to contact us today at (202) 960-4596.
