Checklist Checklist

Tag: Truck Accident Lawyers

  • 1. Truck Accident Lawyers. 25 Buyer-Beware Intelligence Points

    • Not every truck accident attorney handles federal trucking regulations.
    • Ask how many truck cases the firm handles annually.
    • Experience with commercial carriers matters.
    • Trucking cases can involve multiple potentially responsible parties.
    • The driver’s employer may not be the only defendant.
    • Maintenance contractors can become relevant.
    • Cargo-loading companies can sometimes matter.
    • Trucking-company insurance policies may be substantially different from ordinary auto policies.
    • Multiple insurers can complicate negotiations.
    • Evidence can disappear quickly.
    • Electronic logging data may become important.
    • Driver qualification records can matter.
    • Vehicle inspection records can matter.
    • Black-box/ECM data may be relevant.
    • Accident reconstruction can become important.
    • A lawyer who primarily handles ordinary auto collisions may not have the same specialized experience.
    • Contingency percentages vary.
    • Litigation expenses may be treated differently between firms.
    • Ask whether expert-witness costs are advanced.
    • Ask what happens if the case is unsuccessful.
    • Settlement authority and negotiation strategy matter.
    • Beware guarantees about settlement amounts.
    • Ask who will actually handle your case.
    • Understand the fee agreement before signing.
    • Biggest mistake: choosing a lawyer based solely on advertising prominence rather than relevant trucking-litigation experience.