When we leave home, we never expect to be in a car or truck accident but it happens every day. In 2014, about 90 people perished in these accidents every day. The problem with truck accidents is that they can be a lot worse than crashes that are just with passenger cars. In 2015, 3,852 people lost their lives in crashes with large trucks. The breakdown of who was killed was this: 16% were people in the trucks, 69% were in passenger vehicles and 15% were pedestrians. If you have been in one of these accidents, you may need to find a good truck crash attorney to help you but what is the best way to find the best one for you? Here are some steps to take when you are looking for the right law firm:
- Talk to your friends and family. Do you know anyone who has been in an accident that was similar to yours? Given the number of car and truck accidents on American roads every day, there is a good chance that you know someone who has been in one. The best way to get decent products or services is to get a personal recommendation from someone you know and trust. You may not end up hiring the same attorney as your friend or family member but this can give you a place to start.
- Talk to lawyers you know. While it is true that your divorce lawyer cannot help you with your accident, if you were in an accident with a truck, you need a truck crash attorney, but they may be able to help you find someone who can handle your case. In many areas the legal community is a tightly knit one. The worst they can say is “no,” when you ask if they know a good truck crash attorney and they cannot say yes if you do noyt ask. If you have ever needed legal advice, you should return to that person for ideas.
- Make sure you get the right kind of lawyer. Just like medical professionals, lawyers specialize. Even in the realm of motor vehicle accidents. You can have pedestrian accident attorneys or truck crash attorneys. Make sure you talk to people with the experience in cases like yours.
- Take advantage of the free first consultations. All law offices will meet with prospective clients for free. This gives them a chance to get to know you and you a chance to interview them. You are hiring them so you should look at this like a job interview. Take your time with this part of the process. Hiring the right lawyer can have a real impact on your case’s outcome so you need to be thoughtful and thorough.
- Talk to at least three law firms, When you have been an accident, you may be tempted to go with the first lawyer you talk to but this is a mistake. You need to know what your options are for truck crash attorneys in your area. You may very well end up hiring the first person you talked to but it is still a good idea to talk to a few so you feel better about your decision.
- Ask the right questions. If any law firm balks at answering your questions before you hire them, you can bet that they will not take the time to talk to you after you become a client. Here are some questions to ask:
- How long have you worked in this specialty? You want someone with a good amount of experience with your kind of case.
- What made you go into this kind of practice? You want someone passionate about their job.
- What is your fee structure? You need to be able to afford the lawyer you hire.
No one ever wants to need any kind of personal injury lawyer. You absolutely never think you will need a truck crash attorney but you may at some point. The good news is that once you have one by your side, you can focus on the things that really matter such as getting your life back on track and recovering from any and all injuries you suffered in the accident.
