Truck Accident Lawyers

Commercial truck accidents are a serious matter with the potential to result in catastrophic outcomes. In 2021, 117,300 commercial trucks were involved in crashes that resulted in injury throughout the US. Of those truck accidents, more than 5,200 vehicles were involved in fatal accidents in California.

Victims of car accidents and truck accidents are entitled to compensation, but recovering damages from difficult insurance companies and the trucking companies will be a challenge. This is why hiring the right truck accident lawyers is so crucial. To help you find the right personal injury law firm for your case, consider the following preferred qualities.

Experienced Attorneys for Cases Involving Truck Accidents

Resolving cases for trucking accidents is often complex, and the insurance companies will do everything they can to minimize damages. That’s why it’s important to have an experienced truck accident attorney who understands the traffic laws surrounding commercial trucks, like semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, and tractor-trailers. 

While many personal injury attorneys accept car accident cases and truck accident cases, not all of these attorneys specialize in motor vehicle accidents. The law firm that will be working on the case must possess experience in truck accidents.

Knowing what qualities to look for in an experienced truck accident lawyer can mean the difference between moving forward or facing years of financial and personal struggles. 

Proven Track Record

Even with the right experience, truck accident attorneys cannot guarantee the outcome of a case. However, they should be able to estimate the value of a truck accident case. Be wary of a lawyer who makes promises before investigating and assessing the truck crash.

Based on the case assessment, a potential client can inquire about a particular attorney’s success rate and ask if he or she has taken on similar truck accident cases. The legal proceedings for trucking accidents are complex, as multiple parties can be involved, and fault can be shared by the truck driver and the employer.

It is essential to understand if a truck accident lawyer has successfully negotiated maximum settlements, as well as possesses experience with litigation and trial representation in case an out-of-court agreement cannot be reached.

Skilled Negotiators and Litigators

Similar to cases involving car accidents, truck accident claims may either result in a settlement or go to trial. The majority of civil claims settle out of court, but it is wise to prepare for either scenario.

Various aspects may have contributed to the truck crash, like speeding or bypassing rest periods. An attorney who has filed truck accident claims will know to collect the vehicle’s black box, which records data, such as how long someone has been driving and the speed of the vehicle. This data can confirm if a truck driver was being negligent and ultimately caused the trucking accident. 

Experienced truck accident attorneys understand that employers may also be liable for damages. Trucking companies may also be at fault for lack of training or failing to comply with federal regulations.   

A truck accident attorney must have litigation and trial experience in case a settlement cannot be reached. An attorney with this type of experience will know what evidence to obtain and will be capable of building a strong case.

Knowledgeable of the Transportation Industry

The trucking industry must follow federal and state regulations governing how truck drivers operate large commercial vehicles on public highways. 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) is a government agency that establishes and enforces safety standards for truck drivers in order to prevent truck accidents from occurring. Knowledge of these regulations is why it is crucial to hire a truck accident lawyer. 

The lawyer should also be aware that fault for the truck crash may extend beyond just the truck driver, as multiple parties such as the trucking company, the truck manufacturer, or the loading company that packed the cargo may be liable. Identifying all parties responsible for causing truck accidents is vital to building a strong case.

Professional Reputation

The ideal personal injury law firm should have a strong reputation for handling truck accident cases, defending clients’ rights, and recovering maximum compensation. When determining the professionalism and credibility of truck accident attorneys, utilize various online resources. 

The State Bar of California’s lawyer database confirms that an attorney is actively licensed, when he or she was admitted to practice, and if any disciplinary actions have been taken.

Review websites, like Yelp and Google reviews, are also great tools for researching what former clients have to say about a particular law firm and personal injury attorney.

Access to the Top Resources

The amount of compensation that can be recovered in a truck accident case is typically higher than it is in car accident cases. Therefore, an insurance company will invest more effort in reducing the truck accident claim amount, in hopes of paying a minimized amount. 

The more equipped an attorney is in proving that a personal injury claim is justifiable and valid, the stronger the case will be. A well-established truck accident attorney should also have a network of resources that can effectively support the case. 

This includes collaborating with expert witnesses, like tenured doctors, truck crash reconstruction experts, traffic engineering experts, forensics specialists, medical experts, and mechanical experts.

Client-Friendly Fee Structure  

While cost should be considered, a decision on which attorney to hire should not be solely based on attorney fees. Newly licensed attorneys may have lower rates due to a lack of experience. Conversely, an attorney who charges more does not always mean that he or she is more qualified. 

Also, consider the fee structure. A contingency fee agreement is client-friendly because a truck accident lawyer is only compensated if the case is won. This is beneficial for a truck accident victim, as this fee structure prevents accumulating debt due to legal fees.

Roster of Referrals

Seeking referrals from friends, family, or trusted work colleagues is a great way to find a reliable truck accident attorney. Personal references can provide sincere and honest insights into a lawyer’s capabilities.

However, keep in mind that an accident involving a standard car is different than a commercial motor vehicle crash. When it comes to truck accidents, ensure that recommendations are relevant to incidents with the trucking company.

If some truck accident attorneys appear to be promising candidates, ask for referrals from former clients. A professional and qualified truck accident lawyer will be able to provide client referrals, further solidifying that he or she has produced desirable results for satisfied clients. 

Communicative

Establishing a comfortable and effective communication channel with truck accident lawyers is crucial, as these types of personal injury cases can take some time to resolve. Clients should feel at ease communicating with their legal team. Therefore, ask how the law firm typically handles communication and how often case updates will be provided.

Additionally, express the preferred method of communication, whether that be by phone, email, or text message.

Hire a Truck Accident Lawyer in Tustin, CA

In order to recover maximum compensation for damages, like current medical bills, future medical expenses, and lost wages, it is crucial to hire the best truck accident lawyer with the right experience to effectively represent you against the trucking companies.

At Legacy Accident Lawyers, our attorneys have in-depth experience handling car accidents involving truck drivers and the trucking company. To discuss your truck accident case, schedule a free consultation with our Tustin law office today.