In 2019, road traffic accidents in the US involving large trucks claimed 4,119 lives.
That’s almost a third higher than the motor vehicle fatalities in 2009.
One reason behind that increase is the growth in the number of trucks in use in the nation.
As of 2019, there were 3.91 million Class 8 trucks alone, including semis, in operation.
If you’ve been in an accident with such a massive vehicle yourself, it’s time to lawyer up.
We’ll share some of the most important steps to finding a semi-truck accident attorney, so be sure to read on.
Seek Recommendations from Trusted Sources
According to some estimates, around 40 million lawsuits get filed in the US each year.
The majority are civil personal injury cases, such as motor vehicle accidents.
Semi-truck accident lawsuits that don’t involve death are usually civil cases.
With legal disputes being so common, you most likely know a few people who’ve been part of them.
Reach out to close family members and friends who may have filed a vehicle accident lawsuit in the past.
Ask about their experience with their lawyer, and if they were happy, get the name of at least three.
The American Bar Association (ABA) and your State Bar Association can also help.
These two can provide you with recommendations for semi-truck accident lawyers.
Confirm That the Law Firm or Attorney Handles Truck Accidents
Once you do contact a law firm or solo practitioner, ask if they handle truck accidents.
Some accident attorneys may only specialize in light-weight vehicle accidents, which exclude trucks.
You’d want to hire a lawyer experienced in truck accidents and not only light vehicle crashes.
Truck accidents are more complex as they can cause more severe damage and injuries.
Such accidents may also involve other parties if the driver isn’t the truck owner.
Hire a Semi-Truck Accident Attorney Who Represents Plaintiffs
In legal cases, the plaintiff refers to the party who files a lawsuit against another.
They’re usually the ones who sustained damages and injuries due to the fault of another.
In semi-truck accidents, plaintiffs are often those who were in a smaller vehicle.
They may also be an injured bicyclist or pedestrian.
Not all truck accident lawyers represent plaintiffs; many of them represent insurance companies.
You’d want to avoid such attorneys, as they may be prone to defending insurers.
Instead, hire a truck accident law firm or lawyer who represents mostly plaintiffs.
This way, you’ll feel more at ease knowing that your attorney always has your best interest in mind.
Make Sure Your Attorney Can Prioritize Your Case
States have varying statutes of limitations, the deadline for filing claims or lawsuits.
The majority of states give personal injury plaintiffs two to three years to file a case.
However, a few, including Kentucky and Louisiana, has a strict one-year filing period.
If you miss the deadline, you could no longer collect fair compensation.
You may think that one year is enough, but keep in mind that this deadline starts on the day you got injured.
The complexity of truck accidents can involve months of negotiations with the defendant.
If your lawyer doesn’t prioritize your case, you may lose your right to fair compensation.
So, before you hire a truck accident lawyer, make sure they will handle your case right away.
Lawyer up Before It’s Too Late
Finding the right semi-truck accident attorney can take days and numerous phone calls.
That’s why it’s best to start looking for one as soon as you can, as each day counts against the statute of limitations.
So, follow all the tips in this guide, as they can help make it easier for you to locate the right truck accident lawyer.
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