How to choose an 18-wheeler lawyer?
Accidents involving 18-wheelers are extreme and need more expertise than one thinks. It is vital to find a Houston 18 wheeler attorney immediately after a collision with a tractor-trailer. NHTSA has seen a nine percent increase in deaths from large truck accidents between 2016 and 2017. Texas saw 24,818 semi-trailers and tractor-trailers involved in traffic accidents in 2017. In 2017, 433 trucks were involved in fatal crashes. Texas traffic accidents involved 26,417 semi-trailers and tractor-trailers in 2018. In 2018, 465 trucks were involved in fatal crashes.
After evaluating your injuries, it is time to find an 18-wheeler lawyer. It is challenging to prepare a case for trial, regardless of the type of collision. However, it is even more challenging when an 18-wheeler is involved. These tips will make your selection of a trial attorney easier.
Reputation
Your trial lawyer will be representing you against the trucking company’s team of lawyers in court. Getting motions or hearings granted will be difficult if he has a bad reputation with the court. The case will go more smoothly if your lawyer is in good standing with the court and known for being fair-minded and courteous. This doesn’t mean your Houston 18 wheeler attorney will not be aggressive in fighting for you. However, he should be able to do so without alienating the court, jury, and opposing counsel.A History of Success
Not all 18-wheeler accident lawyers are created equal. Ask about the success rate and settlement percentage of similar cases when looking for an attorney to represent you in court. Simple car accidents are not as successful. It would help if you asked him about his experience defending large trucking companies.Experience
Your trial lawyer should have experience in dealing with insurance companies. Importantly, ensure that he is ready to represent you at trial. Many times, lawyers settle before going to trial. Although this is not always a good thing, if the insurance company in your case refuses payment, your lawyer should have experience in litigating against national trucking firms in court.Client Satisfaction
What past clients say about your lawyer is a great way to learn more about them. Check the website of the firm to see if there are any testimonials. If he doesn’t have testimonials, it’s a red flag.However, don’t stop there. Lawyers tend only to post positive reviews on their websites.
No Fear of Insurance Companies
When interacting with insurance adjusters or the lawyers representing them, you want your trial lawyer to be aggressive. Insurance companies have played underhand games for decades to avoid paying medical bills. Your 18-wheeler accident lawyer will not allow them to get away with it.Locate an attorney who has the necessary resources
As already mentioned, these trucks are owned by large corporations with lots of money. They have the financial power to ensure that your case is not heard. Therefore, it is in your best interests to hire a lawyer with the resources and experience to take on the big guys.It can be done by looking at the law firms they work for. What does the law firm rank in comparison to other firms? Is the law firm familiar with these cases? You should look elsewhere if they haven’t dealt with such cases in the past.
Are Lawyers Passionate About Their Work?
A passionate Houston 18 wheeler attorney loves their work and will fight for you. This lawyer will go to great lengths to hire experts and take depositions to win a case. They must also be excellent communicators.Truck accident cases can take some time to resolve, so you need a lawyer to keep you informed of any developments.
Truck accidents are serious. You may experience mental distress or post-traumatic stress disorder if you are involved in one. These are in addition to any physical injuries and damages you might sustain.
You must protect your rights and hire the best attorney to help you. Then, you will be able to secure an extensive settlement or verdict. These tips will make it easy to find one.
Conclusion
Do not be intimidated or overwhelmed by trucking companies. Instead, follow the tips above when looking for an 18-wheeler accident lawyer.Do You Need An Attorney?
If so, post a short summary of your legal needs to our site and let attorneys submit applications to fulfill those needs. No time wasted, no hassle, no confusion, no cost.