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Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyers Indianapolis Truck Accident Lawyer Blog How to Choose the Best Lawyer for Your Truck Accident Case
Request a Free ConsultationUpdated October 16, 2024 | By Wilson Kehoe Winingham staff
Truck accidents can lead to serious injury and financial burdens, altering your everyday life. On top of the traumatic experience of getting into a semi-truck accident, the settlement and potential trial period that happens after can be stressful and intimidating. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or involved in an accident with a semi-truck, you’re going to want to have a semi-truck accident lawyer who knows how to navigate the complicated case of filing a lawsuit against a party at fault. But with so many attorneys in the area, how do you know which firm has the best truck accident lawyers?
Though it may seem contradictory for us to inform you about finding the best truck accident lawyer, we want to make sure that you get the compensation you deserve. When considering attorneys to work with, there are some key factors to consider before committing.
Having trust in your truck accident lawyer is essential. In order to establish that trust and make sure you are working with the best truck accident lawyer for you, here are some tips on what to look for in a truck accident attorney.
A lawyer’s familiarity with truck accident cases is crucial to the success of your settlement or lawsuit. Truck accidents are very different than car accidents. Interstate insurance policies are expensive and a majority of all trucking companies have an aggressive team of lawyers and insurance adjustors to defend their claims. Truck accident claims can be intense and it’s important to have a truck accident lawyer who knows what they’re doing.
Having experience does not necessarily guarantee you’ll win a case. Yet, the more experience your attorney has, the more aware they are of how to argue against the defense in an effective manner. Exposure and experience in truck accident negotiations and litigation make an attorney better situated to identify issues and have strong insight into both sides of the argument, which ultimately leads to a strong argument on your side.
Experience can be shown through the number of years their firm has been established, how many cases they have worked on, and how many cases they have won. The more of each of these categories, the more equipped your lawyer will be to represent you either in a settlement or in front of a jury.
Experience is important, but experience in a specific practice makes all the difference. Transportation accidents divide into multiple practice areas. It can include auto/car accidents, truck accidents, motorcycle accidents, bicycling accidents, boat accidents, and aviation accidents. Each category within transportation accidents comes with its own distinctions. Even though semi-truck accidents fall under the broad practice area of transportation accidents, this does not mean that any transportation attorney has experience specifically with truck accidents. Truck drivers have to follow different laws than car motorists, which contributes to distinct differences between truck and car accident cases.
The best truck accident lawyers are those who are just that: truck accident lawyers. Attorneys who have direct, relevant experience handling semi-truck accident cases know what to expect and how to immediately respond to insurance companies.
How you will afford your lawyers is something every semi-truck accident victim needs to consider. The ways in which attorneys charge clients expose how they will handle your truck accident case.
A contingency fee arrangement is when you do not have to pay any fees upfront. If you win the case, then you pay your attorney. Typically, the payment will be a certain percentage of the total compensation amount.
Contingency fee arrangements are the most common payment method for truck accident, car accident, and personal injury law firms. It’s a win-win situation for you and your attorney. If you win, they get paid; if not, they don’t get paid.
If there is an upfront fee, there is a sense of unprofessionalism on two fronts. The law firms may not know the arrangement of contingency fees, which shows a lack of knowledge in their field. Upfront fees may also show a lack of confidence in their ability to win your case. Either way, it’s best to go to a lawyer who has a contingency fee, which shows their credibility and confidence.
As important as experience is, the success that comes with a truck accident lawyer’s experience is just as potent. You will want to choose a truck accident attorney who has a record of positive results. If you find a lawyer with a lot of experience and a lot of losses, they may not be the best lawyer for you.
To build and finish a strong case, you will want a lawyer who proves they have a significant number of verdicts and settlements. Success not only comes with winning, though: the amount matters, too. Quantity is only reliable if the quality of the case is strong. If you are looking for a substantial claim, look at the past results of truck accident lawyers. If they settle for smaller amounts, it might be best to look around some more. The best truck accident lawyer will work with you to pursue the highest compensation you deserve. Look for quality and quantity in truck accident lawyers.
Oftentimes, truck accident claims are settled before a lawsuit even goes to trial. If a case makes it to trial, then a jury determines a verdict for compensation. Having an experienced accident lawyer to look over the initial truck settlement offer will help determine if you want to accept a settlement or not. If you do not, then your lawyer needs to be ready to take your case to trial.
From the very start of the case, your attorney should be ready to go to trial. Again, most truck accident cases do not, but there is always the possibility and you want a lawyer who is prepared for a courtroom. If insurance companies see that your lawyer is willing to go to court, they will be less likely to lowball an offer. Insurance companies more often than not want to avoid a big trial, and if your attorney won’t settle for anything but the maximum compensation, your chances of a fair case are high.
A great way to determine the best truck accident lawyer for your case is by their client testimonials. Looking at the law firm’s reviews is a great place to start. Look out for not only the outcome of the case, but the experience past clients had working with their attorney. Are they easy to contact? Are they honest and realistic with the client? Having a good rapport with clients is telling. The best truck accident lawyers will have satisfied past clients.
Truck accident cases can get complicated fast. Pursuing a lawsuit against a truck company takes time and resources. Search for an attorney that has the assets to take on a truck accident case. Using top-notch resources like expert consultations and having access to the latest technology in accident reconstruction and computer animation can strengthen your case. A firm should be big enough to handle a case of your size, yet not too big where your truck accident settlement gets lost in the shuffle. The best truck accident attorneys will know what they can and cannot take on.
Recognition is important, especially when there are so many different law firms that offer similar practice area expertise. Awards and recognition are not everything and you should not base your entire decision off of awards, but they are a good testament to a lawyer and/or law firm’s credibility within their field. Some awards are more prestigious than others, too. Pay attention to the affiliations and memberships the lawyers on the team have. A credible lawyer will have a network of other attorneys and the awards to back up their standing.
Last, but certainly not least, how did your meeting go with an attorney? As an attorney’s client, you need to feel secure in their ability to build and lead your case. We recommend scheduling a free consultation with an attorney and if you are not satisfied with your meeting, find another lawyer who better suits your needs. You should feel confident and comfortable discussing details of your case with your semi-truck accident attorney. Your case and the compensation you deserve are a big deal. The best truck accident lawyer is ultimately going to be one that makes your experience working with them a positive one.
The truck accident attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham are located throughout the state of Indiana. If you are wondering, “is there a truck accident lawyer near me,” the answer with WKW is yes, even if we are not directly in your hometown. If you would like to meet virtually or in person, we are happy to meet you at a location of your choosing. Your comfort and convenience are important.
We hope this article helps in your decision-making process of choosing the best truck accident lawyer for you. The truck accident attorneys at Wilson Kehoe Winingham have over 30 years of experience and are ready for the challenges of negotiations, settlements, and trials. We can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact us today at 317.689.0654 or fill out a free case evaluation contact form. We are here to serve you and make sure you get the treatment and compensation you deserve.
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