According to the latest statistics, truck accidents have increased by 33% since 2011.
Any road accident can have serious consequences, but truck accidents are some of the most lethal. The sheer size and weight difference puts passenger vehicles at an inherent risk.
If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, it’s critical that you seek legal help. The right truck accident lawyer can maximize your claim amount, ensure the success of your case, and fight for justice on your behalf.
The success of your claim will very much depend on the abilities of your lawyer. Therefore, you need to pick your truck accident lawyer carefully.
Make sure you get the best representation and keep reading to find out 4 key tips for hiring a Lafayette truck accident lawyer.
1. Pick a Lawyer Who Specializes in Truck Accidents
The first thing to know before hiring a truck accident lawyer is that you need a specialist in your corner. Truck accident claims are often far more complex than passenger vehicle accidents. Because they can have such serious consequences, there’s also usually a lot at stake.
In a regular accident, liability is often limited to one party. In truck accidents, there may be multiple liable parties, including:
- The truck company
- The truck driver
- The loading company
- The truck manufacturer
- Parts manufacturers
- Third-party drivers
- The state or city government
Each of these parties typically has its own legal teams. Proving liability across multiple parties is an involved process, and your lawyer needs to know all the ins and outs.
2. Vet for Experience
Besides specialization in truck accidents, you also want to hire an attorney who has extensive experience in personal injury and accident claims, and who has handled many truck accident cases before yours.
An experienced Lafayette truck accident attorney will:
- Have probably dealt with very similar cases
- Have a nose for uncovering liability
- Have access to the best expert witnesses in the city
- Know the local streets, interstates, and highways where your accident took place
- Have a reputation amongst the insurers and trucking companies you’re up against
An experienced truck accident lawyer will also be able to accurately assess how much compensation you should fight for, which can increase final claim amounts.
Finally, make sure the Lafayette truck accident lawyer you pick has courtroom experience. Most accident claims are settled out of court, and only 3%-4% of personal injury cases go to trial. But, you still want to make sure your attorney will fight your case into the courtroom if need be.
3. Choose a Truck Accident Lawyer Who Has a Team at Their Back
As we said above, truck accidents are usually involved cases with high claim amounts. Because of this, it’s often better to choose an attorney who has a team at their back, rather than a one-person legal service.
Here at Wright & Gray, we know there is strength in numbers. With us, you don’t just get a lawyer, you get a powerful team of attorneys.
4. Look for a Firm of Truck Accident Lawyers Who Listen
Finally, look for a firm of truck accident lawyers who take to time to truly listen to your story. Good lawyers have to be good listeners and be able to connect with their client’s experience.
If a truck accident lawyer is interrupting you, talking over you, rushing you, or ignoring what you have to tell them, we’d look elsewhere for representation.
Not only do we appreciate how critical it is to listen to our clients so we can serve their interests, but we also have a genuine, deep-seated desire to serve the community. Getting to know our clients on a personal level is very important to us, and it’s also part of what drives our case results.
Are You Looking for a Formidable Truck Accident Lawyer?
Your choice of truck accident lawyer could be the make-or-break factor in the success of your case. Take your time when looking for a Lafayette truck accident lawyer and vet for specialization, experience, a team approach, and the ability to listen.
If you need formidable legal representation for a truck accident, Wright & Gray is here to serve.
With over 60 years of combined experience, we have recovered tens of millions in settlements for our clients. Attaining justice for victims is our passion, and we fight with military-like precision and preparation.
Contact us for a free consultation.