What to Ask a Truck Accident Lawyer?

What to ask a truck accident lawyer can vary by situation, but asking about their experience and understanding of truck accident claims is a good place to start.

From there, using the details of your specific case, a truck accident lawyer can help you understand how laws, insurance, and liability all affect your case. If you are involved in an accident with a truck, a Seattle truck accident lawyer can help build a strong case.

Questions About Experience and Track Record

An important step in finding a qualified attorney is asking them questions about their personal and the firm’s experience in handling truck accidents. These questions can include:

• How many truck accident cases have you handled?
• What’s your success rate in truck accident claims?
• Have you handled cases against trucking companies or commercial insurers before?
• Explain why truck accident cases are more complex than car accidents and why experience matters

Your attorney is your first line of defense against insurance companies that would like to pay you the minimum amount possible. It is important to determine whether or not they have the right amount of experience that you’re looking for.

Questions About Case Strategy

Other questions you should ask a truck accident lawyer involve their strategy. An experienced attorney handling truck accidents will have a basic strategy that they can tailor to fit your specific needs. Some questions to ask include:

• How will you investigate my case? (e.g., reviewing black box data, trucking logs, driver history, maintenance records)
• Will you hire expert witnesses, such as accident reconstructionists or medical professionals?
• What is your approach to negotiating with trucking companies and insurers?
• Provide insight into how a skilled lawyer builds leverage in a truck accident claim

Before hiring an attorney, it is well within your rights, and your best interest, to ask as many questions as possible to ensure the best fit. Not all lawyers are the same when it comes to how they approach these situations, so you must find an attorney whose values align with your own.

Questions About Communication

Different firms have different methods of communication. It is important to know their communication style upfront so that expectations are met on both sides. You’ll want to ask if the main point of contact is the lawyer themselves, a paralegal, or perhaps someone else.

You’ll also want to know how often you will be updated on cases. Some claims can take months or even years, so to expect daily or even weekly communication may be deemed unnecessary on both ends. Some clients prefer to be updated on every detail, while others want the attorney to handle everything and only provide the significant updates. This is why establishing those expectations is so important.

A key question you’ll want to ask a Seattle car accident lawyer is what the best way to reach them is. As stated, different firms communicate in different ways. Some will require a phone call, email, or text message, while others offer an online chat service. Knowing what communication types are available will help you find a method that works best for you.

Questions About Fees and Costs

If you’ve never had to navigate the legal system before, the different fees can be confusing. Having an understanding of what the fees are, how they’re paid, and what options are available. Some helpful questions can include:

• Do you work on contingency? (So the client doesn’t pay unless they win).
• Are there any upfront fees I should be aware of?
• How are expenses like expert witnesses or court fees handled?

If you’ve been involved in a truck accident, your financial situation may already be stressful. Having this information upfront can help alleviate some of that stress.

Questions About Compensation and Case Value

Truck accident injuries and fatalities have been increasing overall over the last decade, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). With that, the value of your case can vary widely. Knowing the value of your specific case is an important question to ask.

An experienced attorney should be able to answer a variety of questions regarding your compensation. These can include what damages you’re able to recover, i.e., medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, etc. They should also be able to explain who is liable, how that liability is broken down, and who is responsible for payment.

Additionally, your attorney should be able to articulate how they came to these conclusions. Different factors play into the total recoverable amount, including the severity of your injuries, insurance coverage, at-fault laws, and liability. Having this information can help show a lawyer’s experience level.

Red Flags When Talking to an Attorney

Not all attorneys are created equal. Certain red flags may indicate that an attorney doesn’t have the level of experience that they claim or that they may not be honest about fees. When asking questions of a truck accident attorney, things to watch for may include:

• If a lawyer guarantees a specific dollar amount immediately.
• They won’t clearly explain their fees.
• They may not have experience with truck accidents specifically, or they may misrepresent the extent of their experience.
• They aren’t able to articulate their process, even if it’s a general overview.

When dealing with a Seattle personal injury attorney, it’s important to have an attorney on your side who will be honest, diligent, and upfront.

How Puget Law Group Can Help

When it comes to a truck accident case, choosing the right lawyer is paramount. A lack of knowledge, experience, and care can result in a loss of valuable financial compensation. You’re dealing with enough. You don’t need the added stress of an incompetent attorney. Knowing what questions to ask a truck accident lawyer can help alleviate this stress.

At Puget Law Group, we understand truck accidents, and our dedicated team of attorneys is here to answer any questions and provide the best representation available. Evidence disappears quickly, so the sooner you call, the sooner we can begin preserving this evidence and protecting your rights. Schedule your free consultation today to get started.