Top 10 Tips For Finding The Right Truck Accident Injury Lawyer Near You
After a in Georgia, a lawyer can help victims for medical, lost earnings, and pain and suffering. However, obtaining fair may not be an easy process. Fortunately, an experienced lawyer can help you to obtain justice and the money you deserve.
Do You Need An Attorney For Your ?
The best lawyer to handle your is one that handles . General practitioner or "jack of all trades" type law firms are not the best for complex lawsuits. The trucking industry is regulated by federal law, which means victims may have to navigate complex federal regulations for commercial carriers, including regulations for hours of service, and vehicle inspection, repair, and maintenance regulations.
A lawyer who understands regulations will know what evidence needs to be preserved in order to establish that the or caused an . Even if your claim seems straightforward, when a is involved, you will benefit from a lawyer who understands how your case needs to be investigated, and how to maximize the available to you.
Here Are 10 Important Tips For Finding The Right Near You
1. Do Your Research
are some of the most skilled and experienced professionals on the road. They are responsible for the safe operation of their commercial vehicles and the safety of their passengers. However, accidents do happen, and when they do, the is often to blame.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a , it is important to do your research to find the right lawyer. An will know how to investigate the , gather evidence, and build a strong case to get you the you deserve.
The choice of a lawyer for your or claim is an important one. Do not hire a to represent you based on a bus bench or a billboard - or even one person's positive experience.
Do your research on any potential lawyer's experience and results. Most attorneys have testimonials on their websites. Also check local review sites like Google and Yelp, as well as the Better Business Bureau and the State Bar website.
2. Consider Working With A Local Attorney
As a , you have unique rights and challenges that are different from those in a . It is essential that you work with a local attorney who has the experience and knowledge to protect your interests. Commercial trucking companies are subject to strict regulations, and they have teams of lawyers working on their behalf.
You need an advocate who is familiar with the laws and regulations governing commercial trucking and who knows how to hold these companies accountable. The stakes are high in , and you need an experienced attorney on your side to level the playing field.
Although it is possible for many of the logistics of your or to be handled remotely, a local attorney is more accessible than one that is farther away. Local lawyers also are more likely to know the local judges and even opposing counsel. This can prove helpful in settling your case or winning at trial.
3. Ask Friends and Family For Referrals
After you've been in an with a , the you choose to represent you can make all the difference in the outcome of your case. You want to work with an experienced attorney who knows how to deal with insurance companies and get the best possible settlement for you.
One of the best ways to find a good is to ask your friends and family for referrals. They may know someone who has been in a similar situation and can recommend a that did a great job for them.
Asking friends and family for referrals can be a good starting point. However, you should never feel pressured to use someone simply because they are friends or family with someone you know. When it comes to a - particularly when there are major injuries or fatalities involved - experience, knowledge, and case results matter.
4. Review Their Website
After a , it's important to review the website of any potential lawyers you may be considering hiring. This will help you get a better sense of the lawyer's experience and whether they're a good fit for your case.
A can be a complex matter, so it's important to find a lawyer who has experience handling these types of cases. Check your potential lawyer's website and see how it stacks up among the competition. A website does not have an expiration date - so there is no requirement that it be modern and updated.
However, if your lawyer's website is painfully out-of-date, it may be a reflection of their lack of attention to detail. Any should have a website that reflects the types of cases they handle and their past case successes (verdicts and settlements). This will give you an idea of the lawyer's ability to win for their clients.
By taking the time to carefully review a potential lawyer's website, you can increase your chances of finding the right lawyer for your case.
5. Make Sure The Lawyer Has Experience With Cases
After an with a , it is important to find a good lawyer who has prior experience with cases. The and their insurance company will have a team of lawyers working on their behalf, and you need someone who knows how to level the playing field.
litigation is often complex. lawyers who do not have experience in the trucking industry may not fully be aware of the unique aspects of a case, and may encourage their clients to accept a settlement that is less than a case is worth.
Before you hire a lawyer, ask them about their experience specifically with claims. Have they handled cases against the trucking companies before? If so, what was the outcome of those cases? How many have they handled in total?
You want to be sure that you're hiring an attorney who has the experience and knowledge necessary to get you the best possible outcome for your .
6. Interview Several Before Making A Decision
It's always a good idea to interview several lawyers before hiring one to represent you, even if you have a good feeling about the first one you speak with.
When you're meeting with potential lawyers, be sure to ask them about their experience with cases like yours. Here are a few questions to consider asking:
- How many have they handled in the past?
- What is your success rate with the you've handled?
- Are you familiar with the federal and state laws that apply to my case?
- Have you taken cases to trial before?
- What is your opinion about my potential case?
- What are the next steps you recommend I take?
- How will you keep me updated on the status of my case?
- How often do you settle out of court?
- What are some potential challenges we may face with my case?
- What is your fee structure?
Choosing the right lawyer is an important decision, and you should feel confident and comfortable with the attorney you ultimately decide to hire.
7. Make Sure You Understand Costs and Billing
When you're meeting with potential attorneys, be sure to ask them about their fee structure and how they bill for their services. claims are almost always contingency based, which means that the attorney advances costs and is only paid when the case is settled, or a verdict is awarded. However, it's advisable to ask your lawyer what costs are anticipated, what the lawyer's fee percentage is, and any other expenses that could arise, such as if the case goes to trial.
Understanding your attorney's costs and billing will help to avoid any surprises down the road, and will help you to make an informed decision about which lawyer to hire.
8. Ask About Communication and Availability
It's important that you choose a lawyer who is responsive to your calls and emails, and who will keep you updated on the status of your case. When you're meeting with potential lawyers, be sure to ask them about their communication style and availability.
When you meet with your attorney, ask who you will be communicating with about your case. It is always good to understand your legal team's availability and accessibility before you hire them to represent you. Many lawyers work closely with paralegals, case managers, and other legal staff.
Here are a few additional questions to consider asking:
- How often will you update me on the status of my case?
- How do you prefer to communicate with clients?
- How quickly do you typically respond to phone calls and emails?
- What is your availability for meeting in person or talking on the phone?
- Who else will be working on my case?
- Who will be my main point of contact?
Making sure that you have a thorough understanding of how your lawyer intends to communicate with you is important, as you don't want to be left in the dark about what's going on with your case.
9. Get A Written Retainer Agreement
If you or a loved one has been involved in an with a , it is important to get a written retainer agreement from a . There are many complicated issues that need to be addressed especially when or serious injuries are involved, and the will have their own team of lawyers working to protect their interests.
You need an experienced attorney on your side who knows how to deal with the and their insurance adjusters, and who will fight to get you the you deserve. The themselves may also be liable for the , and a good attorney will investigate all possible sources of recovery.
Once you've decided to hire a lawyer, be sure to get a written retainer agreement in place before any work on your case begins to ensure that your rights are protected.
10. Trust Your Gut When It Comes To Choosing The Right !
You may have heard the old saying, 'trust your gut', and it's good advice when it comes to choosing the right truck accident attorney. After meeting with a few different lawyers, you should have a good sense of which one you feel most comfortable with and who you believe will best represent your interests.
It's important that you choose an attorney who you feel confident in, as they'll be handling a very sensitive and personal matter for you. Pay close attention to how you feel when meeting with potential lawyers, and whether or not they come across as someone trustworthy.
If you have any doubts about a lawyer, it's best to move on to someone else. The last thing you want is to entrust your case to someone who doesn't make you feel comfortable or confident.
Of course, you'll want to make sure that the lawyer you choose has the experience and qualifications necessary and they meet the criteria we've outlined above. But at the end of the day, you need to feel comfortable with the attorney you've chosen to represent you.
Contact The Graham Firm To Discuss Your Case
If you or a loved one has been involved in an with a , the experienced team at The Graham Firm can help. Also known as "The Big Lawyers", our has represented many clients who have been seriously injured or killed in accidents involving 18-wheelers and other large trucks, and we know what it takes to get results.
Charles Graham, our founder, has well over a decade of trucking experience. He has worked with and he has personally operated and managed commercial 18-wheeler trucks.
He has also worked in other aspects of the trucking industry, including dispatch, compliance, safety, hiring, training, and screening of drivers, and load securement. Mr. Graham has trucking experience from not only working in the field but also from executive positions and as an owner.
His vast trucking experience gives him a unique perspective and insight that other lawyers simply don't have, and it allows him to better understand the issues in your case and how to get results.
At The Graham Firm, we understand the complicated issues involved in these cases and we know how to deal with the trucking companies and their insurance adjusters. We will vigorously investigate all possible sources of recovery and aggressively fight to get you the you deserve.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or killed in an with a , contact us today to schedule a free consultation. We will review your case and discuss your legal options.