Selecting the right lawyer after a truck accident can have a huge impact on the claims process. Truck cases are not just complex due to the multiple potential defendants, but also because the attorneys handling the matter must have certain knowledge of trucking laws.
The right questions determine if the attorney has the experience and strategy to get you a fair settlement. If you are thinking about hiring a Florida truck accident attorney, keep the following in mind.
How Much Experience Do You Have In Handling Truck Accident Claims?
You want to work with a lawyer that handles truck accident claims, not general personal injury claims. Trucking cases have additional complications, such as federal laws, additional layers of insurance, and a lot of the evidence must be preserved quickly.
A lawyer with experience will know how to preserve the electronic logging device data, move quickly before the evidence disappears, and also understand the ways trucking companies try to deny and minimize their settlements. A lawyer’s experience will reflect on how well a case is developed on your behalf, and how well they negotiate.
What Is Your Process for Investigating the Accident Scene and Gathering Evidence?
Evidence in a truck accident case can vanish almost instantly, and you want a lawyer who can quickly remedy that. Good truck accident lawyers can investigate systematically and thoroughly. Ask them how they would preserve black box evidence, obtain the driver’s logbook, get other maintenance/inspection records, or interview potential witnesses.
How Do You Establish Liability in an Accident Involving a Truck?
Liability is rarely straightforward in accidents involving a truck. There is often more than one responsible party. A good lawyer will be transparent in explaining how they consider every angle of the case in establishing fault.
They should share with you their considerations of establishing liability including hours-of-service violations, the company’s safety policy, improper or excessive cargo loading, failure to train drivers, or complete maintenance reports on truck and cargo conditions. Essentially, the attorney will want to uncover and identify every factor that contributed to the collision, because more responsible parties will create more avenues for compensation.
How Do You Negotiate Settlements With Insurance Companies?
Trucking insurers can be quite aggressive and skilled at reducing the value of claims. You should look for a lawyer who knows how to push back and negotiate from a position of strength. They should explain how they will have control of the communication with the insurance companies, establish liability through the evidence they present, and reject low offers.
Extra Inquiries to Ensure Straightforward Compensation
It is also important to ask about what damages you can recover. Your attorney will go through the areas for which you may qualify, including ongoing medical treatment, lost wages, loss of potential future earnings, and pain and suffering. Another great follow-up question regards how long you have to file a claim, since each state has different deadlines and missing them can burn your right to recover damages.
Finally, be sure to ask what you can do right now to prepare for your case. This can give you concrete steps like following every medical direction you were given, keeping closable receipts, keeping track of your symptoms, and avoiding posting on social media.
Endnote
Any good attorney should be able to answer these questions. If anything, they will be happy you are taking your recovery seriously. Whether meeting with a local firm or inquiring with a Florida truck accident attorney, these discussions should allow you to see if you are engaging someone who can build your case and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.