A Complete Guide to Choosing a Truck Accident Attorney

147,000 people were injured in large truck crashes in 2020.

Truck accidents are some of the most severe and complicated cases. If you were involved in a truck accident, you need an attorney.

But how do you choose the right one? Keep reading for our complete guide to choosing a truck accident attorney that will get you the results you deserve. 

How to Find a Truck Accident Lawyer

When hiring a lawyer after a truck accident, the first step is to compile a list of potential attorneys. There are a few different ways to find attorneys in Phoenix, Arizona.

One of the most common ways to find a lawyer is to ask people you know personally. If you know someone who has been involved in a truck accident you should ask them about their lawyer. Consider asking friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors.

Another way to find lawyers near you is to search online. Search engines like Google are great tools for finding just about any service.

In Arizona, you can also search the state bar association website for information about local attorneys. 

What to Look for in a Truck Accident Lawyer

Once you have a list of attorneys you want to learn more about, you can start getting into the details. Let’s take a look at some of the factors you should consider when researching truck accident lawyers.

Truck Accident Experience and Qualifications

It goes without saying that the attorney you choose to represent you in a trucking accident case should be legally qualified. This means that they have attended law school and passed the bar exam in your state. But it’s not always easy to find an attorney who has the relevant experience to do the best job on your case.

When you’re hiring an attorney after a truck accident, you want to choose one who is focused on this specific area of law. While it’s technically true that any licensed attorney could represent you, they aren’t all capable of doing the same quality of work. Look for an attorney who has experience handling truck accident claims.

Truck accidents are a unique type of case that can be very different from typical car accident claims. Truck accident lawyers have special knowledge of applicable laws and precedent that can help them win your case. 

Reputation

A lawyer’s reputation says a lot about them, especially when it comes to personal injury claims. Some truck accident lawyers make inflated claims about what they can do for their clients and never follow through. Others are just in it for the money and don’t have the passion needed to do a good job for their clients.

The best way to evaluate the reputation of a truck accident attorney is to do some research. You can usually find testimonials from current and former clients on a law firm’s website. If you don’t see that information, reach out to them directly.

The best law firms will proudly share success stories from satisfied clients.

You can also look for reviews online. Check review websites like Google and Yelp.

Look for complaints against the business on the Better Business Bureau. You can search here to find out if there have been any disciplinary actions taken against an Arizona attorney. 

Trial Experience

While it’s often best to settle out of court, things don’t always work out that way. You need a truck accident lawyer who is ready and willing to take your case all the way to trial if necessary to get the money you deserve.

When evaluating potential attorneys, be sure to look at their past case record.

If they’ve never taken a case to trial before, that’s a red flag. The best truck accident attorneys have fought tooth and nail for their clients and won. 

How They Make You Feel

Technical ability to handle your case is only one aspect of determining whether an attorney is a good fit. You also need to consider whether they are a good fit personality-wise. Sometimes you just click with someone and sometimes two personalities just don’t mesh.

When choosing a lawyer, it’s important to pick someone you trust to represent your interests. Recovering from a truck accident is a vulnerable time and you need to feel comfortable discussing personal issues with your attorney.

You can tell a lot about whether they are the right fit by how responsive they are and whether you have their full attention. Keep in mind that an attorney should be putting their best foot forward when trying to earn your business so if you don’t feel good at this point, it’s time to walk away. 

What to Ask A Truck Accident Lawyer

When you’ve narrowed down your list of potential truck accident lawyers, the next step is to talk to them directly. You should schedule a consultation with each law firm you are considering and bring with you a list of questions you want to ask.

Here are just a few of the most important questions to ask when hiring an attorney. 

Do You Think I Have a Case?

When hiring an attorney, you should look for law firms that offer free consultations. This is your chance to ask potential attorneys about your case and what you can expect throughout the legal process.

It can be confusing to understand what damages you can recover after a truck accident. You might not even realize that you can recover for non-economic damages like pain and suffering.

Talking to an attorney about your case is the best way to gauge whether they will be a good fit. Look for attorneys who are honest. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

You want a lawyer who is realistic about your case and ready to put in the work needed to win. 

How Much and How Will I Pay You?

Whenever you’re hiring a professional to perform a service, you should make sure you’re on the same page about cost from the getgo. When you meet with a potential truck accident lawyer, you should take the opportunity to ask them how much they will charge and how they expect to be paid.

Truck accident attorneys usually work on a contingency fee basis. This means that you don’t have to pay anything upfront.

Attorneys who handle trucking accident claims understand that their clients can’t afford to pay legal expenses right after their accident. But this doesn’t mean that victims don’t deserve representation and someone to fight for their rights.

Instead, truck wreck lawyers evaluate cases and take on cases they know they can win. This provides an incentive for them to do the best job possible so that they get paid. If they don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay.

It’s important to understand the difference between legal costs and fees. You should ask for an attorney fee agreement in writing when hiring a lawyer. This document will outline how much you will owe your attorney if they win you a settlement or award. 

Who Will Be Handling My Case?

The aftermath of a trucking accident is a highly stressful time and it’s critical that you have an open line of communication with your attorney. Before hiring a lawyer, be sure to ask them who will be working on your case. The attorney you talk to during your consultation may be the lead on your case but they may not be the person you talk to on a regular basis.

Truck accident attorneys have dedicated teams of legal professionals that work together to manage your case. You may expect to receive calls with updates from a paralegal or legal assistant. It’s important to know that your attorney and their team have the capacity to handle your claim and the time to keep you informed along the way.

If you have any questions or concerns, you should know who to contact and when you can expect a response. You deserve to receive prompt and clear communication about your case. 

Were You Involved in a Truck Accident?

If you were the victim of a truck accident, you’ve come to the right place. Sweet Law is an experienced law firm with the dedication and drive to get results for our clients.

We offer free consultations and would love to tell you more about how we’ve helped people just like you. Click here to schedule a consultation with one of our lawyers today and learn more about what your case could be worth.