A truck accident can cause catastrophic injuries, which can impact someone for the rest of their life. Filing a personal injury claim can help people financially recover from these incidents. Although many people are aware of the importance of finding a lawyer after a serious accident, they may wonder how to choose the right truck accident lawyer in Los Angeles.
Things to Consider When Finding the Right Truck Accident Attorney
To find the right attorney after a truck accident, you should gather information online and consider recommendations from friends and family members you trust. You should always review the basic qualifications of any attorney before considering them, including their licensure and jurisdiction. As you look closer at specific attorneys, you should consider some of the following to find the one who is right for you:
Experience in Truck Accident Claims
Finding an attorney with relevant experience is one of the most important things to look for. Truck accident claims are complicated, and an attorney who has experience in less complex personal injury claims likely does not have the experience and resources needed to handle a commercial truck accident. These claims require in-depth investigation and a clear understanding of the long-term impact of catastrophic injuries.
Although every truck accident claim is going to be unique, experience in cases like yours will likely make the case more successful and efficient. If possible, look for an attorney with experience in truck accident claims, cases that involve injuries like yours, and the specific type of accident you were in. For example, truck accidents can include rollovers, multiple-car pile-ups, and jackknife accidents, and any such accident can cause injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries.
The longer an attorney has been working in truck accident claims, the more likely they will have experience in claims like yours, which can benefit your claim.
Success
You should also review their past cases to determine their record of success and their client reviews regarding their ability and professionalism. Determine if an attorney has success with past claims and whether they have secured a fair and significant settlement for their clients. If you think that your claim may progress to court, check their success record in trial cases.
In truck accident claims, you should ensure that an attorney has a strong record of going against high-resource trucking companies and securing a good settlement.
Payment Model
It’s important to understand an attorney’s fee structure. You may be able to determine this from their website, or you may need to discuss this with them at a consultation. You should understand how an attorney will charge you and what court and filing fees you may want to expect on top of attorney fees. Many personal injury attorneys charge a contingency fee. Determine what that fee’s percentage will be and what can change that percentage, such as going to court.
Personal Connection and Availability
It’s important that you feel comfortable with a potential attorney. This includes making sure your claim will have their attention and that they are not too busy to properly take your case. It also means determining how well they can communicate with you, from answering your questions during a consultation to being available to update you about the case throughout the process.
Feeling comfortable with an attorney is crucial, especially in claims with significant injuries and damages where you may feel especially vulnerable. If you feel like an attorney is not listening to you or that you and the attorney simply would not work well together, you should review other options for legal support.
Resources
An attorney and their firm’s resources are incredibly important in truck accident cases. Typically, a larger firm will have greater access to more resources. Truck accident claims are often against large corporate trucking or shipping companies, which have significant legal and insurance resources of their own. To give yourself and your claim a good chance of success, you need to be on the same footing as the truck company.
FAQs
Q: How Much Do Accident Attorneys Charge in California?
A: The amount that accident attorneys charge in California will vary, although most personal injury and accident attorneys charge a contingency fee. This means that they will take a percentage of the final settlement if they win the case, but they will not charge other attorney fees. This can help injured parties get the representation they need without worrying about financial instability.
The percentage that an attorney takes from a settlement will depend on many factors, including the resources needed to negotiate the case and whether the case goes to trial.
Q: How Can You Find the Right Personal Injury Attorney in California?
A: Finding the right personal injury attorney in California requires a careful review of the basic requirements and more personalized goals for a claim. You should ensure that the attorney:
- Is licensed in the state.
- Has experience in your type of personal injury case.
- Has a positive professional reputation.
- Has a record of success.
You also want to consider personal needs, including feeling that you can get along with the attorney and that you can trust them with this important case.
Q: Do I Need a Lawyer for a Truck Accident in California?
A: It is very beneficial to work with a lawyer for a truck accident in California, as these claims can be incredibly complicated. Truck accidents typically result in extreme injuries and other damages, which can be harder to get fair compensation for.
Accidents with commercial trucks are also more likely to involve corporate trucking companies, which are much harder to negotiate a claim against. Truck accidents are additionally complicated because an in-depth investigation is needed to determine the at-fault party or parties. An attorney can help with all of this.
Q: How Much Is a Whiplash Claim Worth in California?
A: How much a whiplash claim would be worth in California depends entirely on:
- The severity of your injury
- The significance of your other damages
- The abilities of your attorney
- Whether your case is settled in court or not
If you suffered a serious whiplash injury that is expected to affect you for years to decades and requires significant long-term treatment, the compensation will be much more significant. A minor whiplash injury that is not expected to have long-term complications will not secure as significant of a settlement.
Contact Easton & Easton, LLP
If you have been injured in a truck accident, contact Easton & Easton, LLP.
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