You may be surprised to learn that there are fewer collisions involving large trucks than passenger cars in the U.S. However, truck accidents typically produce more severe or fatal injuries and property damage. Truck accident claims are also more complex, and injured accident victims are usually ill-equipped to handle them alone.
A competent truck accident attorney can help you in several ways, but how can you find a good truck accident lawyer?
What Should You Look for in a Truck Accident Lawyer?
You may think that one attorney is as good as the next. However, when hiring a lawyer, your goal is to receive skilled legal representation and maximize the compensation you’ll obtain. Not every attorney has the experience necessary to handle complicated truck accident claims. Making the wrong choice can cost you.
You’ll want to look for the following:
- An attorney who routinely handles truck accidents: there are many complications present with truck accident cases, and an attorney who doesn’t focus on truck accident claims likely won’t know how to handle these complexities.
- Someone with a good track record: look for a lawyer who has a favorable case success rate and settlement compensation results.
- An attorney with the resources to handle your case: truck accident claims require in-depth investigations, and you need to be assured that the law firm you choose has the resources to investigate the cause of your accident thoroughly.
- A law firm that gives you personal attention: you don’t want to be just another case file; you deserve personal attention from your attorney. Find out how quickly you can expect a response if you have questions, and how often you’ll receive case updates.
- A legal team you’re comfortable talking to: you’ll speak with office staff, investigators, and your lawyer multiple times during your claims process. If you don’t “click” with your legal team, you’re less likely to be comfortable with your overall legal representation.
- Someone who treats you with compassion and respect: your life is likely in total disarray after a truck accident, and the last thing you need is to deal with people who don’t care.
- A law firm with a good reputation and high ratings: any lawyer can tell you how wonderful they are, but client reviews are unbiased. Look for an attorney who has a high client satisfaction rate.
- 24/7 availability: not all questions and problems arise during normal business hours. It’s important to know you’ll be able to speak to someone no matter what time it is.
- Multiple locations: a firm with more than one office probably has one in your area. Several locations probably mean the firm is successful and has significant resources to handle your case.
- Contingency fee payments: with your finances already strained because of your accident, you don’t need to worry about paying out-of-pocket costs to an attorney. Look for those who work on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you won’t pay fees until they win compensation for you.
You can ask family and friends for recommendations, but you should still research and interview the attorneys yourself.
Why Are Truck Accidents Complicated?
Unfortunately, insurance companies don’t want to pay for the damages their policyholders cause. You’ll have an uphill battle from the beginning. Truck accident claims are usually much more complex than car crash claims for several reasons, and you’ll benefit from hiring an experienced truck accident lawyer.
Multiple Party Liability
When a tractor-trailer causes an accident, there may be one or more responsible parties, including:
- The driver
- The trucking company
- The cargo owner, shipper, and loader
- Those responsible for truck maintenance
- Truck or parts manufacturers
An in-depth investigation needs to be performed to assign blame correctly, and you’ll need to do it yourself if you don’t hire a truck accident attorney.
Severe Injuries
Semi-trucks are enormous and can weigh 80,000 pounds when fully loaded, while passenger cars weigh an average of only 4,100 pounds. If the two collide, cars and their occupants are at an extreme disadvantage. Car drivers and passengers often sustain severe or fatal injuries in truck accidents.
Severe injuries mean that accident victims will likely require extensive medical treatments and a prolonged time away from work. There’s also a likelihood that injuries sustained will result in a permanent disability or an inability to return to work.
These victims deserve compensation not only for their existing injuries and current related expenses but also for their future financial needs. Your lawyer from the Johnson Attorneys Group will ensure you obtain the compensation you’re due.
Significant Property Damage
The weight and size of tractor-trailers typically cause catastrophic property damage when they hit something. Not only can trucks hit passenger vehicles, but they can also hit buildings and other structures. You’ll need to be sure you’re compensated for the total replacement value.
Why Does It Matter Who Is Liable?
You’ll need to assign blame to the liable party or parties to obtain compensation after a truck accident. Their insurance companies are responsible for paying you. As reluctant as insurance companies are to pay damages, they will point fingers at other potentially liable parties. While they’re fighting each other, you’re just waiting to get paid.
There’s also a chance that you were partially responsible for causing the collision. Laws vary from state to state; in California, you can still obtain compensation even if you were 99% at fault under pure comparative negligence rules. There’s a catch, however.
Say you’re found 25% at fault for the truck accident. That means your potential compensation will be reduced by 25%. You don’t want to be assigned more blame than you’re responsible for because that will reduce how much money you can receive.
Your truck accident attorney will work quickly to investigate the cause of your accident to ensure that fault is appropriately assigned.
Do You Need a Truck Accident Attorney?
As we’ve explained, truck accident claims are complicated. When you hire the Johnson Attorneys Group, we will:
- Provide legal options and advice
- Help you get necessary medical care
- Prepare and submit related paperwork
- Investigate your accident and gather evidence to support your claim
- Speak to insurance companies on your behalf to protect your rights
- Negotiate a favorable settlement offer
- Take your case to trial if necessary
Injured truck accident victims need to focus on their recovery, not these tasks. We’ll take care of them, so you don’t have to.
Another benefit of hiring a truck accident attorney is that many people obtain more compensation with legal representation than if they attempt to handle their cases themselves.
Why Should You Choose the Johnson Attorneys Group?
We focus on all types of personal injury cases, including truck accidents. Our case success rate is 98.7%, with over $100 million recovered in settlements. There are 12 Johnson Attorneys Group locations throughout California, and all our lawyers will give you compassionate personal attention.
We’ll begin by assessing your truck accident case during a free consultation, and we work on a contingency fee basis so you won’t have any out-of-pocket costs when you hire the Johnson Attorneys Group. Contact us 24/7 to find out how much your case is worth and how we can assist you. Call (800) 208-3538, speak to a live person via live chat, or submit our online contact request form.
